VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
OUR MISSION: Create, Connect and Inspire Change
Project Onward is a nonprofit studio and gallery for professional artists with mental and developmental
disabilities. Project Onward supports the professional development of artists with exceptional talents
and challenges, ranging from autism to mental illness, and provides these artists with workspace,
materials, professional guidance, exhibition opportunities and access to markets to sell their work and
advance their careers.
Project Onward was founded in the summer of 2004 as a Gallery 37 pilot initiative for 8 artists who had
aged-out of the local youth job-training organization’s program, but due to their disabilities they had no
opportunities elsewhere to advance their artistic careers. Today, Project Onward serves over 55 artists in
a custom designed 13,000 square foot studio and gallery in the vibrant Bridgeport Art Center, at the
heart of Chicago’s emerging art scene.
JOIN US
Project Onward provides individualized services for an incredible group of talented artists who need
more support than a typical arts studio provides. Volunteers are critical to ensuring that Project Onward
can deliver these services and advance the careers of our artists. Our studio and gallery is a creative
congenial space and we are always searching for individuals with a passion for service, interest in the arts
and enthusiasm for social entrepreneurship to join us!
BENEFITS
We value you and your time and appreciate your dedication to Project Onward’s artists. As members of
the Project Onward team, all our volunteers receive a 15% discount on art. As a small nonprofit, our
volunteers have the opportunity to substantively contribute to the success of our organization and
directly support the career advancement of our artists. Many of our volunteers have been with us for
several years and we strive to create a pleasant and rewarding volunteer experience that inspires you to
become a lifelong friend and supporter of Project Onward.
VOLUNTEER NEEDS
Gallery Administration
Volunteers are critical to the Project Onward’s smooth operations and can support us in many ways
including: Business & Retail Operations, Customer Service, Communications/Marketing and through
special projects.
Necessary Skills: Personable and organized, good customer relations skills, Mac, Word/Excel, Google
docs
Desired Skills: Photoshop and Illustrator
Expected Commitment: Minimum of two hours per day, one time per week for three months (maximum
4 hours per day, 3 times per week), or art studio volunteers who assist when a need arises.
Artist Support
Volunteers assist in the studio to facilitate the art-making process. A wide variety of art media are used
to create works on paper, canvas, sculpture, mixed media assemblages and construction. Responsibilities
include prep work, clean up, one-on-one assistance, and special projects. Volunteer must be available on
a Tuesday – Saturday during studio hours, 11:00am-5pm.
Bridgeport Art Center| 1200 W. 35th Street, 4th Floor| Chicago, IL 60609
info@projectonward.org | 773.940.2992| www.projectonward.org
Necessary Skills: Working familiarity with various art media and techniques, respect for individual
creativity; experience with people with disabilities or mental illness preferred but not required.
Expected Commitment: Minimum of four hours per day, one time per week for three months.
Exhibition Preparation & Installation:
Skilled volunteers are needed to assist us to prepare and install exhibits. Responsibilities include
matting, packaging, and/or framing. We also use volunteers to prepare the gallery before and after
exhibition, i.e. spackling, painting, hanging artwork, etc., and to take inventory of artwork or
merchandise.
Necessary Skills: Demonstrated competence to prepare art for exhibition, and/or basic interior wall
painting skills.
Expected Commitment: Assist us with at least three exhibitions in one calendar year.
Special Events:
There are a variety of activities for people who wish to volunteer at exhibition openings, portrait events,
and/or fundraising events. Responsibilities include welcoming attendees, setting up and staffing wine
and food area, providing artist bios and other information to patrons, writing receipts, wrapping art, etc.
Necessary Skills: Friendly, outgoing and responsible, communication skills, requires educating oneself
on artists’ bios and artwork.
Expected Commitment: Assist us with at least three special events in one calendar year.
QUESTIONS?
Want to learn more about Project Onward? You can always visit us in person, we are open Tuesday–
Saturday, 11am–5pm. Our gallery is FREE and open to the public. Additionally, you can find us online at
projectonward.org or connect with us on our various social media platforms, including:
Facebook.com/projectonward
@Project_Onward
+ProjectOnwardGallery
Instagram.com/ProjectOnward
If you have specific questions, please email Marla Gunderson at volunteer@projectonward.org.
FOR STAFF
USE ONLY
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
Submit your completed application by e-mail to volunteer@projectonward.org, by postal
mail to Project Onward, Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W. 35th Street, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL
60609 or in person. Once your application is submitted, please allow approximately two weeks
to receive a reply. All volunteer applicants must submit to a background check.
Date received:
____________________
Follow Up:
____________________
Name:
Notes:
Bridgeport Art Center| 1200 W. 35th Street, 4th Floor| Chicago, IL 60609
info@projectonward.org | 773.940.2992| www.projectonward.org
Address:
Phone Number:
Email:
Please check your area(s) of interest
Gallery Administration
Artist Support
Exhibition Preparation & Installation
Special Events
Other (e.g., fundraising, web development, tech support, photo documentation, online sales, promotion)
List the day(s) and time(s) you are available to volunteer.
Please describe your experience in the volunteer area(s) you selected above. For example, if you selected ‘Arts
Support,’ please briefly describe your art background.
Why are you interested in volunteering at Project Onward? What do you hope to gain from this experience?
Please describe any experience you have had with people with developmental disabilities.
Please describe any previous volunteer experience you have had.
List two work- or school-related references. Please do not include personal friends.
Name:
Relationship:
Email:
Name:
Relationship:
Email:
Bridgeport Art Center| 1200 W. 35th Street, 4th Floor| Chicago, IL 60609
info@projectonward.org | 773.940.2992| www.projectonward.org