The Seattle Design Festival is a volunteer-powered organization and we appreciate your help to make the festival a success! We will have 70+ volunteer opportunities to help produce and document all of the amazing events and installations our community partners bring forward to the Festival.
There are several different ways to get engaged as a volunteer. To find the right fit for you, consider how much time you want to commit to SDF, the impact you hope to have, and what strengths you think you can bring to the team!
Are you looking for a long-term volunteer opportunity? The Seattle Design Festival is organized and produced by a committed group of volunteers – the Festival Planning Team. They manage the festival as a whole and produce specific components within the Festival. Together, they develop our annual call for proposals to connect communities and unleash the design thinker in everyone to illuminate Seattle’s challenges and ignite action. We are looking for folks who are:
Passionate: Your enthusiasm for design, architecture, urbanism, arts, public programming, or event management will be the driving force behind our collective success. Importantly, you do not need to be a design professional to be part of this team; all skill sets are welcome!
Relationship Builders: Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential. You will work closely with community partners to help bring their programs to life.
Collaborative: We need individuals who are willing to step up and assist when required, fostering a spirit of teamwork and cooperation.
Reliable: You should be able to attend all core team meetings and deliver on commitments to ensure the smooth planning and execution of the Festival.
Learn more about the primary responsibilities of this group, and how to apply, in our Call for Planning Team Volunteers.
The Festival couldn’t happen without our amazing day-of volunteers. Our team will work with you to identify opportunities that align with your interests. Previous Festival volunteers have supported screenprinting, event production, social media content acquisition, and more!
Festival Implementation Volunteer (Commitment: May-August, Flexible hours)
Festival Implementation Volunteers help support the behind the scenes development of the festival. We will work to match your skills and interests to the needs of the festival planning team.
Design in Community Volunteer (Commitment: Flexible)
Design in Community Volunteers work on an ongoing SDF story telling project. They help capture and share design stories. Some examples of roles/duties may include: interviewing designers, video editing, content writing, photography (depending on your skills/interests).
Block Party Volunteer (Commitment: August 16, 17, 18, 4-20 hours total, depending on your availability)
Block Party Volunteers provide day of festival support. Depending on your interests/preferences some examples of festival roles/duties include: Production Support, Evaluation Support, Social Media Support, Screen Printer, and Partner/Guest Support. You will be able to select your specific role(s) and shift availability during the orientation period.
– Create a more livable Seattle through this shared vision, demonstration and celebration
– Build a stronger and more cohesive Seattle design community
– Educate the public about how design directly affects their lives and communities
– Rub elbows with professionals, leaders and students in the design world
– Contribute to and influence events that support cutting edge work
– Learn more about design
– Attend gatherings with other passionate design professionals
The best reason to volunteer is having fun and knowing that you’ve had a positive and influential effect upon the city you love to live in and on the design movement!
Questions? Contact info@seadesignfest.org.
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