Support

Volunteer Opportunities – Somerville Open Studios 2024

Somerville Open Studios happens each year because of the efforts of a group of talented and dedicated volunteers. Won’t you consider joining us? There are committee opportunities available for people with a variety of skills and interests. See the planning committee descriptions below for a better idea about what we do. Volunteer roles are flexible based on time availability and experience.

Email domore@somervilleopenstudios.org or come to a monthly planning meeting to learn how you can help!

SOS planning committees

There are many different ways to help make Somerville Open Studios happen. It’s a great way to apply your prior experience or to learn new skills. Below is a sampling of potential committee assignments and volunteer roles. Committees are self organizing to promote sharing and collaboration.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR & VOLUNTEER RELATIONS

• Build volunteer pools
• Match volunteers with team leads/tasks and be in regular contact with team leads
• Ensure that volunteers are communicated with in an efficient manner
• Ensure that volunteers are followed up with after helping out
• Research and implement option for easy online volunteer sign-up

BUSINESS & CORPORATE RELATIONS

• Oversee Sponsorship timeline
• Solicit Sponsorship
• Donations/trades (food, other resources)
• Collaborating with “extension space” to think about new group spaces that can take place in
  local businesses (ex. WorkBar.)

SOS SHOWS

• Find volunteers, manage times (art drop off etc.) and submit graphic and permit needs
• First Look Exhibit
• Volunteer Show
• Inside Out Gallery
• These shows are still TBD: Kid’s Show, Fashion Show, Localvore Exhibit

TROLLEYS

• Design trolley route – incorporating any construction and route changes.
• Work with Somerville Parking along with timeline Manager.
• Reserve trolleys (3 handicap) and work out contract with the Trolley Company.
• Organize the install and breakdown of trolley stop signs.

PROMOTIONS (Social Media)

• Construct and implement a timeline of overall promotion on various social media platforms.
• Connect with the Graphics Lead to ensure consistency (Facebook, etc.)
• Create and/or collect content (articles, interviews, artist tips, visitor tips) to be posted on a
  new “content” section of the SOS website.
• Strategically place articles into social media, which would then link readers back to the SOS
  web site. Example: Create an article offering tips on navigating SOS weekend with children and
  place in local “parent” FB groups.

PROMOTIONS (Traditional Media)

• Implementing an existing media strategy and timeline. SOS ad placement in local business
• web/ print/radio
• Generation and placement of articles and listings in newspapers and news sites to promote
  SOS weekend.
• Seek/create opportunities to use the press to feature SOS in other ways throughout the year
  such as artist profiles or artist solo shows, etc.

ARTIST-RELATIONS & MEMBERSHIP

• Approve and reply to new member registrations
• Answer questions regarding membership
• Studio buildings, home studio and individual artist liaisons

COMMUNITY SPACE

• Get insurance and table rentals
• Organize participating artists
• Assign spaces and work on layout

WEBSITE/DATABASES

• Work with registration to signup members and maintain membership rolls online.
• Make Artist’s profiles and maps available online via website.
• Work with Sponsorship to make sponsors available on website.
• Integrating with social media.

MAP BOOK CONTENT

• Coordinates content with other committees
• Artist Data formatting for import, proofing
• Work with webmaster to assign map numbers
• Submit final text and data to graphics Designer

GRAPHICS LOGO/DESIGN MAP/POSTER

• Ensure consistency in all design/graphics
• Poster/Map Book/Flyers/Postcards
• Graphics offered to artists online
• Graphics used in social or traditional media
• Graphics displayed on the SOS web site

MAP BOOK/POSTER DISTRIBUTION

• Poster/postcard/map placement in local businesses and companies in Somerville and beyond
• Map book/Poster distribution to artists, volunteers and businesses
• Distribution beyond city of Somerville