How to complete your high school 40 volunteer hours by doing stuff in the arts

 

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 - 6:00pm

High school students in Ontario have to complete 40 volunteer hours to graduate.  So, you might as well do something you already love.  Here’s how to get a sweet volunteer gig in the arts:

          1. Big galleries you’ve probably already visited are looking for teen volunteers.

Two of the biggest galleries in the GTA, the AGO downtown and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Vaughan have volunteer programs for high school students.

The Art Gallery of Ontario is looking for high school student volunteers for its Family Sundays. Volunteers help studio art instructors with materials and prep, give directions to AGO visitors and help children with arts, crafts and games.

“Without the assistance of hard working and devoted youth volunteers who are passionate about art, programs such as this would not be possible,” says AGO's Jane Lott.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is looking for volunteers for its Youth Team. On the second Saturday of the month, volunteers help out with things like art-making workshops, outdoor nature programs and gallery tours.

“Supporting teenagers to volunteer at the McMichael is important as it exposes them to Canadian art, culture and history, and provides experience in a gallery/museum setting, while fulfilling a students’ community service hours,” says Daniela Travierso-Galati

          2. Local galleries around Ontario are interested in taking high school volunteers too.

There are tons of galleries across Ontario – find one close to you and ask if they’re looking for volunteers.

Museum Strathroy-Caradoc is just one example.

“We know the value of hands-on experience in the professional cultural sector and are happy to provide students with the chance to develop their skills and knowledge base. I was a museum volunteer in high school, and that training opened so many doors for me in university and beyond. I’m thrilled to provide students with the same enriching experience,” says Christian Julien Siroyt, exhibits and programming coordinator.

          3. Check out the Volunteer Toronto Youth Expo (or your local volunteer centre)

Saturday, October 24 is the Volunteer Toronto Youth Expo at the Reference Library with almost one hundred non-profits looking to volunteers. If you’re not in Toronto, you can visit the volunteer centre closest to you.

“The best way to get started in volunteering is to simply start! It’s up to you to make the first move. Organizations love to work with dedicated, motivated volunteers,” says Volunteer Toronto’s Ainsley Kendrick.  

Our website has between 600-1000 opportunities listed at any given time, so there are plenty of listings to choose from. Then all that’s left to do is reach out! Contact the person listed on the posting. You can phone or email, leave a few days for them to respond then follow-up. Finding a volunteer position is a lot like looking for a job. You may need to submit a resume or application, attend an interview then an orientation session. The whole experience is an incredible way to prepare you for the work force so stay open minded and focussed.” 

Every school board in Ontario has a list of pre-approved volunteer activities that count towards your 40 hours. If you’re not sure the place you want to volunteer at will follow the rules, talk to your teacher or principal first. 

Sarah Tranum, "CleanCube Project" Poster
The Office of Research & Innovation is excited to launch of the fourth iteration of the "This is Research" campaign to raise awareness about research at OCAD University.
Rendering of black industrial structure against black background
The Artist Project Contemporary Art Fair and The Centre for Emerging Artists and Designers are excited to announce Andre Baynes as the 2020 Recipient of the Artist Project Career Launcher.
The OCAD U Print Shop will be closing at 6:00pm on Monday, January 27th due to illness. We apologize for any and all inconvenience.   
Photo of two large landscape collages with wood frame door in middle
The Gladstone Hotel and the Centre for Emerging Artists and Designers are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2020 Come Up To My Room Career Launcher, Maxwell Lander and Aaron Jones.
The OCAD University community is deeply saddened by the news of the Ukraine International Airlines plane crash that claimed the lives of 176 people near Tehran yesterday. 
DesignTO bus advertisement rendering.
This year, DesignTO partnered with OCAD University’s Design4 program to create look and feel of the festival’s 10th Anniversary.
OCAD University mourns death of Jeremy Vincent Urbina, student in the Faculty of Art
Abid Virani and Aliwar Pillai, co-founders, Fable Tech Labs (photo courtesy: Forbes)
OCAD U alumni, Alwar Pillai and Abid Virani, co-founders of Fable Tech Labs, were named in Forbes Magazine’s latest Top 30 under 30 list.
Students explore at the AGO.
Students explore at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
Students explore at the Strathroy.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 - 6:00pm

High school students in Ontario have to complete 40 volunteer hours to graduate.  So, you might as well do something you already love.  Here’s how to get a sweet volunteer gig in the arts:

          1. Big galleries you’ve probably already visited are looking for teen volunteers.

Two of the biggest galleries in the GTA, the AGO downtown and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Vaughan have volunteer programs for high school students.

The Art Gallery of Ontario is looking for high school student volunteers for its Family Sundays. Volunteers help studio art instructors with materials and prep, give directions to AGO visitors and help children with arts, crafts and games.

“Without the assistance of hard working and devoted youth volunteers who are passionate about art, programs such as this would not be possible,” says AGO's Jane Lott.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is looking for volunteers for its Youth Team. On the second Saturday of the month, volunteers help out with things like art-making workshops, outdoor nature programs and gallery tours.

“Supporting teenagers to volunteer at the McMichael is important as it exposes them to Canadian art, culture and history, and provides experience in a gallery/museum setting, while fulfilling a students’ community service hours,” says Daniela Travierso-Galati

          2. Local galleries around Ontario are interested in taking high school volunteers too.

There are tons of galleries across Ontario – find one close to you and ask if they’re looking for volunteers.

Museum Strathroy-Caradoc is just one example.

“We know the value of hands-on experience in the professional cultural sector and are happy to provide students with the chance to develop their skills and knowledge base. I was a museum volunteer in high school, and that training opened so many doors for me in university and beyond. I’m thrilled to provide students with the same enriching experience,” says Christian Julien Siroyt, exhibits and programming coordinator.

          3. Check out the Volunteer Toronto Youth Expo (or your local volunteer centre)

Saturday, October 24 is the Volunteer Toronto Youth Expo at the Reference Library with almost one hundred non-profits looking to volunteers. If you’re not in Toronto, you can visit the volunteer centre closest to you.

“The best way to get started in volunteering is to simply start! It’s up to you to make the first move. Organizations love to work with dedicated, motivated volunteers,” says Volunteer Toronto’s Ainsley Kendrick.  

Our website has between 600-1000 opportunities listed at any given time, so there are plenty of listings to choose from. Then all that’s left to do is reach out! Contact the person listed on the posting. You can phone or email, leave a few days for them to respond then follow-up. Finding a volunteer position is a lot like looking for a job. You may need to submit a resume or application, attend an interview then an orientation session. The whole experience is an incredible way to prepare you for the work force so stay open minded and focussed.” 

Every school board in Ontario has a list of pre-approved volunteer activities that count towards your 40 hours. If you’re not sure the place you want to volunteer at will follow the rules, talk to your teacher or principal first.