The Arts Center in Orange has nothing to offer its volunteers

Contributed
Published: August 28, 2008

With a break-even annual budget of approximately $150,000, half from local support and half from corporate and foundation grant support, The Arts Center in Orange has nothing left over.
We do not offer our volunteers gift baskets, luncheons, bus trips, plaques or commemorative jewelry.
We ask our volunteers to man the desk for two to three hours a week. We ask them to attend wine and cheese receptions. We ask them to contribute their insight about programs and exhibits. When it comes time to hang a show, we depend on volunteers like Ann Mallory to help position and level the work. Ginny Broadbeck and longtime volunteers Ben and Lucy Ann Grimm come weekly to keep us organized and maintain our gift shop. Fresh from the Peace Corps, newlyweds Kevin and Natasha McMahan show up Sunday afternoons to help with maintenance, construction and sometimes demolition.
Despite this, we have a dedicated group of volunteers. Some have claimed the 2:30 to 5 p.m. weekday afternoon slot, manning the desk one day a week since the get-go.
Some sign up to staff the desk for one Saturday morning or afternoon a month. Some show up regularly for the Sunday 1-3 p.m. hours. Some are available on-demand to cover the desk when other volunteers need a day off.
All of our volunteers set aside a few hours a week or month to sit at the reception desk in our gift shop. They answer the phone and take messages. They show visitors around-showing-off the gallery exhibits and Virginia Artists gift shop. They invite visitors to tour the classrooms and the Orange Studio. They inform visitors of the many programs the AC has to offer. And, they make sales.
They make sales, noting on the receipt which artist should be paid, they sign students up for classes, they keep in mind that sales are taxed five cents on the dollar and classes are not taxed.
The Arts Center in Orange was founded by and could not survive without volunteers. Most Arts Center volunteers are retired seniors with a boatload of valuable experience and insight to share. Some are parents who bring their kids along. Some are artists who volunteer in their spare moments to advise, teach, maintain equipment, and keep us on track.
We respect and appreciate the seniors who contribute their time and knowledge. We are grateful to the moms and dads who volunteer and work to maintain a place for their kids to explore the arts. And to all of you starving artists who teach, maintain our facility, contribute to our outreach and expand our audience…we will keep doing the best we can for you. Please, keep sharing your inspiration with us.
Although we offer our volunteers classroom, gallery and gift shop discounts, very few take advantage. They just keep doing what they do, sharing their time, knowledge and resources-asking nothing-continuing to support The Arts Center they and others like them started 11 years ago.
That is why The Arts Center in Orange has nothing to offer its volunteers, and our volunteers have everything to offer The Arts Center.
If you have a few hours to share with your community arts center, please contact us at The Arts Center in Orange located at 129 East Main Street.