Volunteering at Historic Yellow Springs

Historic Yellow Springs volunteers provide an invaluable service to HYS, playing a vital role in the successful operation of our historic community. We would not be here without our volunteers! Whether assisting with special events, guiding tours, hanging art exhibits, greeting visitors, or caring for the gardens, our team of over 200 volunteers helps to preserve our history while enriching the community through the arts and education.

We welcome volunteers from diverse backgrounds and ages, and work with organizations and businesses that wish to contribute through volunteering. Applications to volunteer are welcomed throughout the year. To apply, complete an Application Form and HYS Volunteer Coordinator Kathy McGarry will contact you.

Below is a listing of many of our volunteer opportunities. We’re sure you will find something that appeals!

Volunteer Opportunities at Historic Yellow Springs

Assisting in management of historic items

• Delve into the history of Historic Yellow Springs. Volunteers help file, sort, organize and enter data in the Archives. An appreciation of history, organizational skills, and the ability to handle delicate artifacts is required.
• Conduct tours of our historic village for adult and student groups, and our annual Town Tours and Village Walks. Tour training is provided. Must be able to walk unpaved surfaces throughout the village.

Yellow Springs community, family & cultural events

• Events and festivals can take place on week days or weekends during the daytime, with some evening weekday hours.
• Recommended Duration: 3 hours per time slot shift.
• About Events: Historic Yellow Springs hosts several events related to the arts throughout the year. Some of them are: Juried fine art exhibit and sale, ceramic art exhibit and sale, fine arts and craft show, member show, and our annual Poster Competition and sale. If you love working with people of all ages, are interested in the arts, would like to make new friends, and want to help Historic Yellow Springs increase access to arts programming within your community, this volunteer opportunity is for you!
• Necessary Skills:
• Volunteers are expected to arrive on time and stay for the duration of their shift.
• They must also be able to climb steps and travel easily between buildings.
• Regularly Expected Tasks:
• Greet visitors, make active suggestions to ensure maximum engagement, and give direction to bathrooms and best course through the galleries.
• Assist with activities for all ages.
• Answer questions or guide visitors to person who can help them.
• Assist with sales as needed.
• Carry art and ceramic objects safely.
• Wrap sold objects.
• Optional:
• For village wide events---set up and breakdown furniture, tents, tables & chairs.
• Parking assistance.
• Volunteer Benefits:
• Knowing that your efforts have helped make your community a more creative welcoming place.
• Gain additional insight and exposure about the artists associated with various shows.
• Learn firsthand about art handling and sales.
• Share your passion and insight for regional art and artists.

Studio Apprentice

• Join the creative team at Chester Springs Studio! Qualified individuals may apply to volunteer as a Studio Tech for the Ceramic or Fine Art Studios, as a Kiln Assistant. Intern positions are available for teens during our summer Art Camp programs.

Internships

• Historic Yellow Springs eagerly fosters deep and focused engagement among learners, offering a range of opportunities from assisting with camps and children's programs to undertaking project concentrations in History and the Arts. Our dedication lies in aiding learners to not only gain credit but also achieve recognition as they immerse themselves in enriching educational experiences.

Gardening and grounds beautification

• Help maintain and care for the gardens, buildings, and grounds on a regular basis or at our annual cleanup day.
• Targeted Campus Clean Up Days: March and October annually.
• Recommended Duration: Variable, dependent on individual’s physical endurance.
• About Grounds Beautification: Join this campus wide effort to keep Historic Yellow Springs beautiful and vibrant. Activities include vegetation clean up and removal, scrubbing and cleaning of visitor centric spaces, and showing visitors pride in this cherished space. Get your hands dirty while making this community asset a better space.
• Necessary Skills and Physical Expectations:
• Ability to lift up to 30lbs.
• General ability to sit, bend, and stand as needed.
• A Basic knowledge of tools and equipment (preferred).
• Please wear appropriate clothing and safety equipment for the task.
• Some knowledge of gardening and plant care (recommended).
• Participants encouraged to bring their favorite yard tools to help ease the process.
• Volunteer Benefits:
• Public recognition and thanks for time volunteered / tasks completed.
• Pride in helping clean up a community space.
• Workday lunch, food break, or pizza party.
• Sample outdoor tasks include:
• Garden upkeep.
• Event assistance.
• Light yard work.
• Light exterior building upkeep (e.g. painting, restoration).
• Sample indoor tasks include:
• Event assistance.
• Light maintenance/cleaning (e.g. window washing, moving furniture, building displays).
• Cosmetic upkeep (e.g. painting, restoration).