Light Night Leeds Needs Volunteers
Light Night is a multi-arts and light festival which takes over Leeds city centre on two nights in early October. The city’s arts and cultural venues open their doors late into the evening, and artists transform indoor and outdoor spaces into exciting, interactive works of art. This year's festival will take place 6pm – 11pm on Thursday 5th - Friday 6th October 2017.
Being such a large city-wide event, which is increasing in popularity year on year, Light Night relies on a large number of volunteers. The role of Light Night Festival Volunteer will involve a number of different duties, and opportunities may vary depending on what this year’s Light Night priorities are. You may be asked to assist an artist, undertake market research, or work as a visitor assistant.
These are the tasks that you can get involved with:
Supporting artists - you will be available to offer the artists and community groups taking part in the night a hand in delivering their projects. Helping before the festival starts, you will help set up artwork / installations or performances spaces and take down / pack away equipment. You may be required to assist audience members in interacting with the piece or getting to their seats, helping to organise any queues, counting and estimating audience numbers across the night and asking audience members for their e-mail addresses so feedback surveys can be sent to them.
Supporting visitors - you will be assisting the public to make the most of their evening enjoyably and safely. You may be based outdoors, at key transport links to give visitors event brochures, provide directions and information and answer programme based questions. You may be based indoors assisting the artists on the night, sit with the art project, answer questions about the work, communicate back to the core team any issues, assist audience members in interacting with the piece or getting to their seats, helping to organise any queues, counting and estimating audience numbers across the night.
Market Research - To help us improve Light Night each year we need to get a good understanding of what our visitors think about the event. This is why the role of Market Research Assistant is so important. You will be asking audience members to undertake feedback surveys on the night and asking people for their e-mail addresses so feedback surveys can be sent to them after the event.
You will need to be confident to approach a wide range of visitors to gather feedback information. People may wish to fill out a survey themselves or for you to fill it in for them. We may look for some audience members to be case studies and this would require gathering more detailed information on the night. We may also ask you to note down any verbal feedback or quotes given to you by audiences, venue staff or artists.
Photographers /Videographers - This role is great for anyone interested in, or pursuing a career in, photography, photographic journalism, documentary, or film production. You must have proven experience and skills in this field and you will work with the team on capturing the event through still or moving images. These may be used after the event online or in publications. Please be aware that we cannot pay for the use of photographs or footage, as we have professional photographers working at the event. But we will ensure that all photographs and video clips used are credited, so it is an ideal opportunity for professional development and building up your portfolio.
Please Note that we cannot provide any equipment for our Photographers or Videographers, so either owning or being able to rent equipment is a must!
Allmembers of the Light Night volunteer team will need to become well acquainted with the festival programme and be prepared to answer general visitor queries such as the location to the nearest toilets etc. You will be representing Light Night and Leeds City Council and we expect you to interact with artists, staff and the public in a professional and friendly manner.
Other opportunities - if you would like to volunteer for longer, perhaps to gain more work experience and insight into behind the scenes of a large arts event then do let us know. We may be able to accommodate volunteers in the lead up to the event or in the post event clear up and evaluation stages. These roles could include tasks like distributing marketing materials, helping out in the office with the Arts Development team or working with the Production Manager and technical team.
Benefits and Training
All volunteers will be required to attend a briefing session at Leeds Town Hall on the evening of Thursday 28th September.During this time we will give you the training required to fulfill your role. We’ll provide you with information so you’re clear on what is expected of you on the night and so you feel confident in answering questions from members of the public.
Following the event, volunteers will be able to request a reference to confirm their participation and role duties that can be used to help future work or volunteering applications.
Volunteers will also receive a Light Night tote bag and a ticket to see a film at the Town Hall as part of the Leeds International Film Festival.
Volunteer Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
- Must be over the age of 18
- Can attend Volunteer Induction Meeting on the 28th September
- Has knowledge of Leeds City Centre or is willing to learn
- Has a passion or appreciation for the Arts
- Enjoys working in a team
- Keen to learn and gain new skills
- Can help out during the evening of Thursday 5th and/or Friday 6th October
- For Photographer/Videographer Role: Must either own or can rent equipment e.g Camera, Tripod.
DESIRABLE
- Has experience in the Arts and other festivals
- Experience in the customer service industry and is confident talking to strangers/ the public
- Wants to pursue a career in the arts and events industry
- Can volunteer the entire week of the festival and both evenings of Thursday 5th and Friday 6th October
If you are interested please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Georgina Booth at
for further information and to request an application form.