You can help make art happen at the Dairy Arts Center by volunteering your free time. We have a variety of opportunities for volunteers to help with performances, films, gallery exhibitions, and special events. If you are interested in becoming a new volunteer please fill out the Volunteer Information Form below.

What to expect:

1. After submitting the volunteer interest form, your name and contact information will be added to our database and you will begin to receive our monthly volunteer newsletter.
2.  Newsletters go out at the end of the previous month and contain a calendar of upcoming volunteer shifts that you can sign up for via SignUp.com. Depending on when you sign up, you may not receive volunteer opportunities until the following month.
3. In the meantime, please review the new volunteer tip sheet here so you know what to expect.
4. Beginning October 1, 2023, all volunteers will need to attend an orientation before they can begin signing up to volunteer. We will host a brief orientation once a month on the first Monday* of each month at 4:00 pm at the Dairy. *(unless there is a change in the date for a particular month as noted in a volunteer newsletter).
5. Volunteer & attend events! Depending on availability, once your volunteer shift ends, the Dairy invites all volunteers to attend a performance or film with one complimentary ticket that evening/afternoon or for a future event. Some restrictions may apply.
6. Please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteercoordinator@thedairy.org if you have questions about volunteering or if you would like to set up a meeting at the Dairy before your first volunteer shift.

Volunteer – Parental Consent Form (PDF)

Board members are responsible for providing leadership support to the Dairy Arts Center, Boulder’s largest multi-disciplinary arts center that houses three theaters, four visual art galleries, a spacious lobby, full concessions, 65-seat cinema, 3 ballet studios, and 26 music studios. In addition to providing a space for the expression of art, the Dairy Arts Center also provides professional front-of-house and technical to more than 100 local arts organizations including ticketing systems, box office services, building maintenance, theatrical support, concessions and venue rentals.  

Board members are also expected to serve as active advocates and ambassadors of the Dairy Arts Center within the community and work to further the Dairy Arts Center’s mission to provide diverse opportunities to create, learn, and engage in high-quality performing, cinematic, and visual arts experiences. Dairy Presents provides additional programming designed to supplement artistic content provided by the many renting arts organizations and includes: Music at the Dairy, rotating Visual Art exhibitions, Kids at the Dairy arts education program, Comedy at the Dairy, and a full slate of
independent films screened in our art house cinema.

Current needs: Candidates with strong finance or fundraising experience
Board Member Responsibilities:

• Determining the mission and purpose of the organization
• Selecting and evaluating the performance of the Executive Director
• Strategic and organizational planning
• Ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management
• Monitoring Dairy Arts Center programs and services
• Enhancing the Dairy Arts Center’s public image
• Assessing its own performance as the governing body of the Dairy Arts Center

Board Member Expectations:

• Know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs
• Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements
• Serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization and fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the Dairy Arts Center to advance its mission
• Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to fully achieve the Dairy Arts Center’s mission
• Give/get a meaningful financial donation of $1500 minimum annually
• Help identify personal connection that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and
  reputational standing
• Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in quarterly board meetings
• Participate fully in at least one board committee
• Follow the organization’s bylaws, policies, and board resolutions

To apply for this volunteer, unpaid position, send a resume and personal statement that summarizes
your reason for applying for board membership to: boardcandidate@thedairy.org

Patron Services Associate

Purpose Statement:

The Patron Service Associate is responsible for providing excellent customer service to all patrons and renters of the Dairy by anticipating needs, solving problems and maintaining a positive, friendly attitude in any situation. This individual has primary responsibilities in the Hartman Box Office, Boedecker Cinema, Polk Cafe and House Management for the Gordon Gamm, Grace Gamm, and Carsen Theaters and supports efficient front of house operations at the Dairy Arts Center. The Patron Services Associate primarily works with and reports to the Patron Services Manager as well as working closely with the Special Events Manager, Operations Manager, Cinema Manager, and all Dairy Arts Center leadership staff as appropriate. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Possession of excellent phone etiquette, email and in-person communication skills
• Field patron inquiries by phone and in-person regarding events and programs taking place in all areas of the Dairy Arts Center and its resident organizations
• Set up and strike of events including carrying chairs and tables, basic cleaning, restocking of food and beverage supplies, and trash removal when necessary
• Coordinate night of show box office, house management, cafe and cinema activities with Dairy Leadership Team
• Train Dairy Arts Center volunteers and oversee volunteer duties including greeting and directing patrons, handling and distributing marketing materials, scanning tickets, and directing parking. Delegate these tasks among fellow staff members when necessary
• Check-in consistently with presenters and renting organizations to ensure a quality experience
• Manage and monitor presenter requests including ticketing requests and reports, late seating, lobby event set up, signage, and other special requests in relation to your shift
• Create and communicate ticketing reports, event reports and incident reports throughout shift
• Reconcile sales receipts and cash at the end of each shift
• Know and enforce Dairy Center policies – review box office information and policies, individual performance descriptions and expectations, employee handbook and communications with leadership regularly 

Requirements:

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Previous customer service and/or hospitality experience required; demonstrated ability to work successfully in customer-centric and team environments
• Previous experience with CRM, POS, and ticketing software; Spektrix and Square software experience preferred
• Confidence under pressure and working  in a fast paced environment; previous experience handling food and/or serving alcohol a plus
• Comfortable learning job related skills primarily through observation and on-the-job training
• CPR, First Aid and AED certifications are a plus
• TIPS Training required (provided by organization)
• Appreciation for performing, cinematic, musical, and visual arts

Personal characteristics:

• A customer-centric approach – You are empathetic to the needs of others and strive to create positive experiences with those you work 
• Problem-solving aptitude – your instinct is to investigate solutions without being asked, you jump right in if you see that someone is lost or needs assistance
• Ability to work well with a team – you value the success of everyone. 
• Alertness – You avoid distractions, can remain on task, and possess a high attention to detail
• Flexibility – You can easily adjust to shifting needs and different environments and you think well on your feet. You do not possess a “not my job” attitude. 
• Accountability – you value honesty and personal responsibility
• Clear Communication – you possess strong in-person and phone etiquette and remain calm and respectful under pressure. 
• Demonstrate commitment to the mission of the Dairy

Working Conditions:

• The Patron Services Associate will work out of the Dairy Arts Center located at 2590 Walnut Street
• The Paton Services Associate position is part-time, starting at $17.00 + tips
• Expected to lift up to 25 lbs and occasionally lift and/or move more than 25 lbs with assistance
• Expected to stand and/or walk for up to 8 hours excluding designated lunch and break periods
• Nighttime and weekend availability with flexible hours required. Weekday flexibility and daytime staff meeting attendance as necessary.

About the Dairy Arts Center:

The Dairy Arts Center is a 501C3 nonprofit organization.

The Dairy Arts Center connects a dynamic and diverse community to create inspiring and engaging experiences in the performing, cinematic and visual arts.

As a nonprofit multidisciplinary arts venue, the Dairy Arts Center values community, curation, cultivation, and courage. These shared beliefs guide our day to day operations, programming selections (our own and those of our presenting organizations), and our interactions with Dairy Arts Center staff and board, patrons, donors, partners, residents, volunteers, artists and all stakeholders. The Dairy Arts Center welcomes everyone, including people of any race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity or presentation, sexual orientation, ability, religion, and citizen status.

Please send your resume and cover letter to Vonda Neely, Front of House Manager, at vneely@thedairy.org. No phone calls, please.

Open Call for Public Sculpture 

The Dairy Arts Center is now accepting submissions of existing sculpture suitable for outdoor display to be exhibited on our Palmer Terrace for a period of three months. Sculptures should be suitable for Colorado weather (including sun, wind, rain, hail, snow, etc.) Sculptures should be able to fit on our sculpture pad (layout below)

Artists will be given a $250 artist stipend for participation. Installation assistance is provided. Local and regional artists are encouraged to apply 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, please reach out to Curator of Visual Arts, Drew Austin (drew@thedairy.org) with any questions!

Apply Here 

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This gallery rotates exhibitions every 4-6 weeks and features an artist located within Boulder County. Exhibitions presented in this space occasionally relate to the content on view in our main galleries, but often have their own theme. 

All artists residing and working out of Boulder County are encouraged to apply. All mediums can apply, though only works that can be presented on a wall will be considered for exhibition due to the nature of the space. Please reach out to Drew Austin, drew@thedairy.org, with any questions. 

Accepted applications will work with Curator of Visual Arts, Drew Austin, to design an exhibition for this space.

Apply Here

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ABOUT THE DAIRY ARTS CENTER AND THE DAIRY GALLERIES

Founded in 1992, the Dairy Arts Center is a multi-disciplinary, not-for-profit, cultural arts organization housed in the historic Watts-Hardy Dairy building in Boulder, Colorado. The Dairy’s building was operational as a dairy storage and processing plant in the 1960’s and 70’s. Since 1997, when the Dairy Arts Center’s original three galleries were built, the Dairy’s visual arts program has grown in recognition throughout Colorado and the United States. A major renovation of the building, which took place August 2015 – August 2016, provided a fourth gallery along with improved lighting,exhibition facilities, and equipment in the existing galleries. Each year, the Dairy hosts over 200,000 arts experiences for people of all ages who come to experience visual art exhibitions, lectures, and art workshops, as well as theater and music performances and film screenings.