Salina Art Center

Looking to Volunteer? Volunteers who share their passion for art by donating time at the Art Center experience many exciting opportunities. 

Through a variety of volunteer tasks, they can:

• enjoy an up-close look at contemporary artworks
• meet and work with visiting artists
• share creativity and thought-provoking concepts with others
• support the role of individual expression in community and human development

The work is educational, inspiring, stimulating, and most of all, FUN!

Please review the list of volunteer activities below; then click here to let the Art Center know your area of interest as a volunteer.

Leading Tours Docents are vital forces in carrying out the SAC’s mission to create exchanges among art, artists, and audiences that reveal life. Docents are responsible for welcoming tour groups and sharing the excitement of exhibitions through an open-ended process of inquiry, discovery, discussion, questioning, and thought—a process that serves as the foundation for everything that happens at the Art Center.

No prior arts knowledge is required—docents act as lead learners, participating in the questioning process along with members of the tour groups; thus they need only a high interest in visual art and a curiosity about its relevance to personal and community concerns. SAC staff provides resources and training at monthly sessions devoted to group exploration of the concepts presented in each exhibition. These conversations are lively exchanges; and when scheduling permits, exhibiting artists participate. 

The rewards are high—advancement of personal skills and knowledge, enjoyment of stimulating interactions with other volunteers, the intellectual challenge of connecting art to life. And the time commitment is highly manageable—in general, each docent is asked to lead one or two tours for each exhibit. They also may designate the age groups with whom they prefer to work and the times when they are available to volunteer.

Exhibition Installation For those who would like to assist in the installation of new exhibits, basic construction skills, such as the use of power tools, are helpful. Training is available.

Open House Assistant Three Open Houses for children and families are held at the Art Center each year—one in the spring, one for pumpkin carving in the fall, and one to launch the winter holiday season. At these events, volunteers might facilitate an art activity, paint faces, serve refreshments, or provide security.

Hosting an Artist Occasionally volunteers are needed to help provide hospitality for visiting artists. Activities might include driving the artist to or from the airport, inviting the artist to lunch or dinner in an area restaurant, or hosting a small gathering for the artist and other members of the community.

Office/Clerical Assistant From time to time, volunteers may be contacted to help with mailings, answer the phone, or assist with other tasks that may emerge during especially busy periods.

Fundraising Events Volunteers may choose to help with a fundraising event in either the spring or the fall.