Make a difference.
Be a part of the American Craft Council by joining us as a volunteer.
Volunteering with the American Craft Council is a rewarding way to support the vibrant craft community. Whether assisting with events, educational programs, or in other ways, volunteers play a vital role in promoting and celebrating the work of talented artists across the country.
Why volunteer with ACC?
Volunteering with the American Craft Council is a fantastic way to utilize your knowledge, skills, and talents to support craftspeople. As a token of appreciation for your service to the community, volunteers receive several benefits, including:
- Free or discounted tickets to events
- The opportunity to meet and connect with artists in your community
- Access to membership and staff areas with complimentary snacks and drinks
- Insider knowledge about the American Craft Council’s events, marketplaces, and other offerings
The American Craft Council hosts a number of in-person and online events throughout the year. Volunteers can help in many ways, including booth sitting and providing other event support, sharing skills through professional development workshops, proposing new programs, and more.
Event Volunteer Roles
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Volunteer greeters warmly welcome the enthusiastic guests who arrive each day to experience craft. Greeters are positioned in key locations throughout the space to help answer questions, provide directions, and create a fun, welcoming atmosphere for attendees.
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The ACC collaborates with a local artist or arts organization to offer a free printing activity for guests at fairs and marketplaces. ACC members receive a free tote, or guests can purchase one to print. The tote printing volunteer assists the printer by helping guests and managing printing tasks—no printing experience is required.
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Booth sitting is an excellent way to meet artists, learn about their crafts, and interact with event guests. This service, offered free of charge by the American Craft Council, allows event exhibitors to have their booths attended by a volunteer or staff member while they attend to other matters. While the artist is away, booth sitters engage with guests, inform them that the artist will return shortly, and answer simple questions about the event or the work, if possible. Booths are typically staffed for about 15 minutes, but this may vary based on the artist’s needs.
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When artists are busy interacting with the public, selling their work, or demonstrating their skills (depending on the event), they often need assistance with simple errands or have questions. Artist Support volunteers help exhibitors by walking the aisles, checking in with artists to see if they need anything, answering questions, and running errands as needed. Depending on the event, these volunteers may also provide impromptu booth-sitting services upon request.
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Many American Craft Council events require guests to register to attend. Handheld ticket scanners are used at the entrance of events to scan registration codes and sometimes physical tickets before attendees enter. Ticket scanning volunteers also help answer guests’ questions, sometimes direct them to different show locations, and are generally one of the first smiling faces our guests interact with at an American Craft Council event.
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A volunteer floater is essentially the “jack of all trades” among volunteers. They assist with various tasks, supporting ACC staff and event exhibitors. This role allows volunteers to gain insight into how an event operates “behind the scenes” and helps the American Craft Council maintain smooth event execution.
Additional Volunteer Roles
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ACC has traditionally facilitated peer mentoring between experienced craftspeople exhibiting in our fairs and newer exhibitors. We encourage longtime exhibitors to join us as mentors (sign up by completing the volunteer form). We are also expanding our peer mentoring resources to artists in our early-career artist program. We invite anyone with experience and expertise in the fields of craft, arts business, exhibitions, galleries, and more to sign up as a mentor and be paired with an early-career artist.
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Share your expertise with ACC audiences by leading a professional development workshop. Volunteers can conduct workshops tailored to the needs of early career artists or for a broader audience of craftspeople and craft enthusiasts.
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Our event attendees enjoy learning and engaging with craft. We welcome community members to lead a demonstration or hands-on activities at in-person events. Past activities have included weaving on a loom, stone carving, printing, and more. Share your skill and passion for craft with the public.
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Do you have an exciting idea for a craft-centered program? Perhaps you’d like to lead a book club with other craft enthusiasts from across the country, or organize a meetup at your local museum. Contact us to propose your program today!
Want to volunteer?
Contact us today.
We’d love to connect with you. Reach out today to explore what volunteer opportunities might fit with your skills, experience, and interests!