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, and special events. If you are interested in becoming a new volunteer please fill out the Volunteer Information Form below. PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to volunteer specifically for the Sundance Film Festival, you will need to apply through their application process.

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. All volunteers will need to attend an orientation before they can begin signing up to volunteer. Once you have signed up, you will be informed of the date of the next orientation.
4. Volunteer & attend events! Depending on availability, you can often attend the event you are working. 
5. Please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteercoordinator@thedairy.org if you have questions about volunteering.
6. Anyone ages 15, 16, or 17 is welcome to volunteer; however, their guardian is required to attend the orientation with them and will need to sign a parental consent form at that time.

Patron Experience & Events Manager

The Patron Experience & Events Manager is a seasoned hospitality professional responsible for cultivating a welcoming, polished, and solutions-oriented experience for every patron, renter, artist, and guest who enters the Dairy Arts Center. This role requires strong judgment, calm leadership under pressure, and the ability to lead by example while actively working alongside staff in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment. The ideal candidate is highly accountable, service-driven, and experienced in supervising teams within hospitality, entertainment, arts, or event-based settings.

The Patron Experience & Events Manager oversees all part-time Patron Services staff, including Box Office, Cinema, Concessions, House Management, and Special Events personnel. This position is responsible for setting clear expectations for professionalism, customer care, communication, and operational execution while fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and hospitality excellence. The Patron Experience & Events Manager is expected to mentor and support staff through direct engagement on the floor, modeling professionalism, composure, initiative, and exceptional guest service at all times.

As a working manager, this position remains actively involved in front-of-house operations during evenings and events, serving in both leadership and operational capacities as needed. Responsibilities include anticipating patron and renter needs, proactively resolving issues, managing complex or sensitive customer interactions, supporting event logistics, and ensuring smooth operations across multiple venues and service areas. The Patron Experience & Events Manager must be capable of making sound real-time decisions, balancing guest experience with operational priorities, and maintaining a calm, welcoming presence during high-volume or high-pressure situations.

Employment Type:
Full-Time Exempt; 40 hours per week, Wed-Sun; 2PM-close

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and directly supervise Patron Services staff
• Lead all front-of-house operations, including the Box Office/check-in area, Polk Café, Boedecker concessions, and performance/event activity throughout the building
• Develop and maintain clear training standards, operational procedures, and service expectations
• Serve as the primary leader and point of communication for the Patron Services team
• Maintain strong working knowledge of upcoming events, rentals, and daily operations to ensure staff preparedness and alignment
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and guest-centered culture across Patron Services and other Dairy Arts Center departments and stakeholders
• Deliver exceptional hospitality to patrons, artists, clients, renters, volunteers, vendors, supporters, and community partners
• Coordinate and support event volunteers as needed
• Ensure all shifts are fully staffed and provide floor coverage or direct operational support when necessary
• Remain actively present during peak service periods and serve as the lead staff member on site and last to leave during performance evenings
• Address performance concerns and initiate disciplinary action when appropriate
• Lead regular Patron Services staff meetings and team communications
• Attend pre-production meetings with clients and internal teams to support successful event execution
• Coordinate and fulfill special event and client requests
• Manage nightly cash reconciliation
• Ensure building is secure before closing
• Manage POS updates
• Ensure Sage Pages and end-of-shift reports are completed accurately and consistently, and prepare operational reports for leadership staff
• Maintain compliance with all applicable food service, liquor licensing, and health department regulations
• Manage monthly inventory, product ordering, and event supply levels
• Uphold high standards of safety, cleanliness, organization, and operational excellence throughout all front-of-house and prep spaces, including storage and kitchen areas
• Support additional operational and client-relations needs as assigned by the Client Relations Manager

WHAT YOU BRING

• 10+ years leading teams of 10 or more people in hospitality, events, or customer-facing environments
• A hands-on, adaptable mindset with the ability to learn quickly through observation and real-time problem solving
• Strong instincts for anticipating the needs of patrons, renters, artists, and guests
• Calm, professional judgment under pressure and exceptional public-facing communication skills
• A leadership style grounded in accountability, initiative, and leading by example
• The ability to prioritize competing demands, give clear direction, and solve problems independently
• Experience working with CRM, POS, and/or ticketing systems
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace
• A demonstrated commitment to excellence, inclusion, and the mission of the Dairy Arts Center
• A genuine appreciation for performing, cinematic, musical, and visual arts

WHAT SETS YOU APART

• CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications
• TIPS certification (or willingness to complete training provided by the Dairy)
• Bartending experience
• Experience managing vendor relationships and event logistics
• Experience working with large-scale festivals and events 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 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
  

BENEFITS

Eligible for Cigna health insurance benefits after 90 days of employment, eligible for 401(k) 60 days after employment, Voluntary Guardian Benefits, IDShield and LegalShield, 3 weeks of PTO for first year of employment, employer sponsored life insurance and a discount on Dairy Arts Center products.

Salary and Benefits
This is a full time salaried position averaging 40 hours per week starting at $60,000 including paid holidays, PTO; health, dental and vision benefits; eligible for 401(k) 60 days after employment, Voluntary Guardian Benefits, IDShield and LegalShield, 3 weeks of PTO for first year of employment, employer sponsored life insurance and a 50% discount on Dairy Arts Center products/services.

About the Dairy Arts Center
The Dairy Arts Center connects a dynamic and diverse community to create inspiring and engaging experiences in the performing, cinematic and visual arts. The Dairy Arts Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

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.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to vneely@thedairy.org. No phone calls please.

Don’t meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic team. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the job description, we would like you to apply anyway. You may just be the perfect fit for either this or other roles! 

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, Client Relations 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, Stella Witcher (stella@thedairy.org), with any questions!

Apply Here 

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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.

For more information or to inquire about whether Board service is right for you, please email info@thedairy.org.