Volunteer_EventsShare Your Talents

Volunteering or Interning at Torpedo Factory Art Center is a wonderful way to become more involved in the arts community while serving as a vital resource for sustaining the Art Center’s day-to-day operations. Each year, volunteers and interns of all ages bring their skills, perspectives, and talents to enhance the experience of visitors. Some maintain a regular schedule each week to work on ongoing projects, while others prefer helping out as needed with specific events or activities.

Through their efforts, Torpedo Factory Art Center is able to provide exceptional programs and events that reach more than a half million visitors annually.

 

A Rewarding Experience

Here are a few reasons to volunteer:

  • Learn or develop a new skill
  • Boost your career optionsVolunteer_Information
  • Engage with and learn from hundreds of professional artists
  • Meet national and international visitors
  • Community engagement opportunities

The Torpedo Factory is part of the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities. Its mission is to foster connections among artists and the public that ignite the creative spirit. We provide dynamic interactions with the arts through our community of visual artists, exhibitions, and programs. We offer art up close, in person, and in progress.

 

Current Openings


Exhibitions Intern – Spring 2023

Description

The Torpedo Factory Art Center, offers one unpaid Exhibitions internship each semester for students of Art, Art History, Arts Management, or some equivalent. The Exhibitions interns will primarily be working in Target Gallery in addition to assisting with Site Two Community Gallery, Site Three Project Gallery, and our Seasonal Art Installations in the Art Center common areas. Interns seeking class credit are encouraged. This opportunity will take place February – May 2023.

Hours

The intern will be required to work 1- 2 days a week, with one weekend day on reserve. The Curator of Exhibitions will work with the interns on scheduling so as not to interfere with their class and work schedules. Interns will be required to work supplemental days during exhibition installation weeks as their schedule allows.

Responsibilities

The Curator of Exhibitions will work with the interns to create a focus or project for each intern to complete during their internship along with other necessary gallery duties to include but not limited to helping with installation, take down of exhibitions, sales, and so on. Some projects/focuses in the past have included creating an exhibition plan, assisting with marketing and promotion of exhibitions and special events, managing Target Gallery’s social media accounts, working on our annual special exhibition March150, developing special programming, workshops, and more.

Requirements

This internship position requires that the student or individual be responsible, able to multitask, show initiative, possess a good work ethic, great attention to detail, and a friendly and positive attitude. The ability to work on both MAC and PC computers and familiarity with social networks is mandatory. Preferred candidate should be familiar with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite programs. Interns must feel comfortable interacting with the public about the work at the exhibition and handling artwork sales.
Interns must be at least 18 years of age or older. Proof of vaccination is required.

To Apply

Please email resumes with cover letter to Target Gallery with “Exhibitions Internship” as the subject line. Applications accepted until positions are filled.

Gallery Guide Volunteer – Ongoing

Description

The Torpedo Factory Art Center, offers unpaid volunteer position(s) for students or folks with a dedicated interest and enthusiasm for fine arts.  The Gallery Guides will primarily be working in Target Gallery in addition to assisting with Site Two Community Gallery, Site Three Project Gallery, and our Seasonal Art Installations in the Art Center common areas.

Hours

Hours are subject to change due to COVID-19 restrictions*. The volunteers will be required to work at least one 8-hr day a week, with one weekend day on reserve. The Curator of Exhibitions will work with the Gallery Guides on scheduling so as not to interfere with their class and work schedules. Art Center hours are currently, Wednesday – Sunday,  10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Gallery Guides if volunteers are interested in working supplemental days during exhibition installation weeks as their schedule allows.

Responsibilities

The Gallery Guide opportunity does not include a guided project. Necessary gallery duties include are but not limited to public engagement, knowledge of the gallery exhibitions and the art center programs, helping with installation, take down of exhibitions, sales, and so on.

Requirements

This gallery guide position requires that the individual be responsible, able to multitask, show initiative, possess a good work ethic, attention to detail, with a friendly and positive attitude. The ability to work on both MAC and PC computers and familiarity with social media networks is mandatory. Preferred candidate should be familiar with Microsoft Office Suite. Gallery Guides must feel comfortable interacting with the public about the work at the exhibition and handling artwork sales.

Gallery Guides must be at least 18 years of age or older. Proof of vaccination is required.

To Apply

Please email resumes along with a statement of interest* to Target Gallery with “Exhibitions Gallery Guide” as the subject line. Applications accepted until positions are filled.

*Statement of Interest- while not as formal as a Cover Letter, the Statement of Interest should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to write and communicate effectively as well as summarize your interest in the position and address why you would be a strong candidate.


Public Programs Intern

Description:

Torpedo Factory Art Center offers unpaid internships each season in Public Programs. Interns receive behind the scenes experience helping to coordinate programming events.

The intern will be required to work at least 2 days a week for at least 16 hours a week.  The intern will be required to work during Late Shift Art Nights and may need to adjust the schedule to accommodate weekend or evening events that may take place during their internship period.

Responsibilities:

Interns will work with the programming coordinator to come up with goals such as researching content to post on social media, cataloging press clips, maintain departmental metrics, and assist with executing events. Special projects are assigned based on strengths and interests and have included logo design, event photography, program planning, and visitor relations.

Requirements:

This internship requires that the student be responsible, ability to multitask, show initiative, good work ethic, a team player, and have a great attitude. Familiarity with social networks is a plus. Also, preferred candidate will need to be familiar with Adobe Creative Suite and Excel. Interns must also be comfortable engaging with the public during events.

To Apply:

Please email resumes with cover letter to Daniel Guzman with “Programs Internship” in the subject line. Applications accepted until positions are filled.


Visitor Services and Public Events Volunteers

We are currently looking for Visitor Services and Public Events volunteers at the Art Center. Check out our volunteer page for more information.

  •  Public Events: Volunteers who love social interaction and flexible scheduling will enjoy helping at one of the many special events that take place during the year. Assist with hands-on art activities, greet visitors, bartending (age 21+), and more.