VOLUNTEER

Thank you for your interest in supporting the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival (GVPAF) and the thousands of performers who participate each year!

The Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival (GVPAF) is a volunteer-driven event that has become the largest arts festival in the region and one of the largest in the province. Its success and longevity rely on the ongoing support of over 300 volunteers each year. These dedicated individuals contribute to various aspects of the festival, including governance, fundraising, awards management, publicity, media, grant applications, sponsor relations, volunteer coordination, and the scheduling and execution of over 100 performance sessions and 11 concerts across more than a dozen venues in Victoria.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteers play a crucial role in creating a positive cultural space where students, teachers, and the community can share their passion for the performing arts with their family, peers, and community.

To manage the festival, which involves over 5,000 participants, volunteers assist with venue rentals, hiring adjudicators, registering and scheduling performances, promoting events, running adjudicated performance sessions, and producing Highlights Concerts. Without the commitment of these volunteers, the festival would not be possible.

What Can I Do?

We offer a range of volunteer positions:

• Receptionist/Cashier: Greet performers and audience members and collect admission fees at events.

• Adjudicator Secretary: Assist adjudicators with performance records, receives repertoire from performers, and maintain session timing.

• Drivers: Transport out-of-town adjudicators between their accommodations and the venues (please note: personal vehicles are required).

• Senior Volunteer Positions: Section Heads, Committee Members, and Board Members are more senior roles with year-round involvement and focus during the Festival's six-week run.

Who Can Volunteer?

• Anyone over the age of 19 can volunteer.

• Minors may volunteer with parental consent and must be accompanied by an adult for evening events.

• Some roles, such as backstage volunteers, may require a criminal records check.

Volunteer Expectations

• Receptionist/Cashiers and Adjudicator Secretaries should arrive up to 30 minutes before sessions to assist with seating and address any concerns from participants, audience members, and adjudicators.

• Adjudicator Secretaries must remain impartial and avoid discussing performances with the adjudicator, while being prepared to respond to questions from the audience.

• Other volunteer roles have specific tasks, and our Volunteer Coordinator will provide details.

• Please note: Volunteers are expected to adhere to a dress code and maintain a neat, polite, and helpful demeanor at all times.

Training and Support

• Training is provided by Volunteer Coordinators, Section Heads, and the GVPAF administration team.

• Minimal experience is required for roles like Receptionist/Cashier.

• Adjudicator Secretaries may benefit from familiarity with the terminology of the performance discipline.

• Senior roles, including Section Heads and Board Members, receive training and mentoring from the GVPAF administration and Board of Directors.

Get Involved!

Join us in supporting the next generation of performing artists and making this year’s festival a success!

If you’d like to volunteer or learn more, please contact us via the form below or reach out to the GVPAF office at (250) 386-9223 or festival@gvpaf.org to arrange a brief interview with our Volunteer Coordinator.

Volunteers to the Festival also receive two admissions to Highlights Concerts for each session worked.