Volunteer Handbook

Dear Volunteer,

I’d like to personally thank you for your interest in supporting Cotuit Center for the Arts, and I welcome you to one of the most dynamic, engaged, and important groups of dedicated folks I’ve ever known. Our volunteer cohort is the envy of nonprofit organizations throughout the Cape. Over the course of my 13 years at this wonderful cultural mecca, I’ve been fortunate to meet so many amazing volunteers. And while I try to say thank you publicly as often as possible, I have come to realize that no amount of public gratitude will ever adequately illustrate the importance your contribution brings to the Center. I value your association with us, and it’s important to me that you feel like you are part of our family. Because you are. My wish is for you to get as much out of volunteering at the Center as we get from having you involved. And as we move forward, reinvigorating our exciting expansion plans that will further transform our campus, I know you’ll find many different ways to be involved. I hope you’ll consider taking a class. Volunteer to work behind the scenes on a theatrical production. Enter a juried art show. Help out on the Art Bus. Or just come hang out on the patio and enjoy a glass of wine and some great music. Also, I ask that you become a fierce advocate. Let everyone know how wonderful and important the work we do is. How much the art and culture we produce improve the lives of everyone living in our community.

I can’t say thank you often enough. But I will do my best to say it every time I see you helping out.

With much gratitude,

David Kuehn Executive Director

Mission Statement

The arts are essential.

Our mission is to be a welcoming hub for Cape Cod’s artists, performers, students, and audiences, working together to make the creation and experience of art accessible, nurturing, and thrilling to all.

About the Center

Founded in 1993 and incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization in 1995, Cotuit Center for the Arts has grown into an award-winning and dynamic arts and cultural hub serving Cape Cod, Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. We host more than 35,000 visitors yearly for free and paid programming in our Gallery, Main Theater, Black Box Theater, and classrooms. We serve local populations of disabled teens and adults and incarcerated youth through our outreach programs. Our offerings include art exhibits, live theater, concerts, classes and workshops, film screenings and special events. We collaborate with local artists, musicians, actors, performers, teachers, volunteers and the occasional celebrity to provide a rich experience to our audiences and attendees all year long.

Our calendar is jam-packed — a week at the Center juggles an average of 120 hours of programming across ten schedulable locations on campus. From rehearsals to meetings to classes to performances, we are always buzzing with activity. A typical year will feature 8 Main Stage Theater productions, 11 productions in the Morton and Vivian Sigel Black Box Theater, over 300 classes, 20 gallery exhibitions and dozens of special events. Summer is particularly busy with programming for kids and families and outdoor performances under the stars. You will find the “Marjorie Lynne” art bus on the road year-round bringing free pop-up art experiences to kids across the Cape.

Our ticket sales cover only half of our financial needs — we are supported by the contributions of our generous donors, sustained by a dedicated force of 400 active volunteers, grounded by the vision of an 18-member Board of Directors and driven by the dedication and passion of 10 full-time and 7 parttime employees.

Volunteer Opportunities

Here are some of the many volunteer opportunities. More details can be found on our website at www.ArtsOnTheCape.org.

Just click on Support.

In the Gallery and Theater

Hospitality

Usher/Greeter

Behind the Scenes

Costumes

Building

Set Painting and Finishing

Lighting/Film Technician

Prop Specialist

Backstage Specialist

Arts Education

Classroom Assistant

Administrative Assistant

Getting the Word Out

Publicity, Social Media

Membership Recruiting

Volunteer Recruiting

Facilities

Facilities and Grounds

Maintenance

Garden Club

Helping Us Grow

Sponsorships

Committee Involvement

Dress Code

When you volunteer at Cotuit Center for the Arts, it is important that our patrons recognize you as a representative of the Center. Please wear a white top/shirt and black skirt/ pants. This creates a uniform look for all volunteers. Always wear your Center-provided name badge.

Parking

We request that you park in the rear of the parking lot behind the administrative building so that our patrons will have the opportunity to park close to the gallery and theater. Speak with the Front of House Manager if you require an accommodation.

Customer Service and Interaction

Great customer service is key to our being a welcoming hub for our patrons and other volunteers. As a volunteer, and more importantly an ambassador of the Center, you are key to a great experience. Remember to:

• Treat every patron with dignity and respect.

• Make every patron feel welcome. Smile, be friendly and courteous. Make eye contact when speaking to each patron.

• Be willing to do a little extra.

• Act to solve complaints and problems to the patron’s satisfaction.

• Never argue or be confrontational.

• Ask the Front of House Manager or designee for help if you are unable to assist a patron.

Safety

The safety and well-being of our patrons, performers, artists, staff, and volunteers are of paramount importance. As a volunteer, you can do your part to keep everyone safe:

• Be aware of the fire exits.

• Point out and remove slipping or tripping hazards, or get someone to help you.

• Stay with an injured person if an accident occurs. Send someone for the Front of House Manager or for a staff member.

• Remain calm in the unlikely event of an emergency. Follow the instructions of the senior staff member or emergency personnel on site.

Problem Resolution

As a welcoming hub, Cotuit Center for the Arts strives to make your volunteer experience rewarding, interesting, and fun. However, when a group of people work and volunteer together, problems may arise. If you need help resolving a problem, dispute, or misunderstanding that occurs during the course of your volunteering, please speak with the Front of House Manager or staff member in charge of the activity or event.

Who’s Who

Staff

Executive Director.....................................................................David Kuehn

Director of Operations..................................................................Kim Baker

Director of Development..............................................Margeaux Weber

Director of Outreach and Inclusion..............................Malissa Kenney

Assoc. Director of Programming and Production........Jason Mellin

Director of Marketing..............................................................Annie Labins

Facilities Manager....................................................................Michael Ernst

Development Assistant.........................................................Kim Zaniboni

Gallery Manager/Visual Specialist.....................................Michelle Law

Education Programming Manager/Ceramics...............Leah Maxwell

Box Office Manager.............................................................Jayna Simpson

Patron Services Manager........................................................Sandra Gault

Front of House Associate...............................................Elisabeth Moore

Graphic Design/Website.................................................Daniel Fontneau

Stage Manager/Production Assistant...................................Tara Galvin

Volunteer Advisory Committee

Michelle Gain, Chair

Helen Feher

Beth Golden

Sharon Parkins

Marcia Randall

Dale Silva

Janet Wright

Mark Wright

Our website

www.ArtsOnTheCape.org

Box office telephone 508.428.0669

Follow us on Facebook

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Follow us on Instagram cotuitcenterforthearts

Do it. At Cotuit.