October 9, 2024
Hidden Door’s Venue Launch Party is just round the corner, and we need your help to pull it all together!
We have secured a huge new venue – The Paper Factory – and we’re offering audiences a preview of some of the extraordinary spaces at our special launch party on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd November, featuring live music, visual art and performances.
We’re looking for those interested in DIYing and transforming our new site into something magical, working with production as artist liaisons, stewarding the stages, invigilating artwork, and being the friendly face of Hidden Door.
Interested in finding out more? Read on…
We open up forgotten urban spaces for the public to explore and discover incredible music, art, theatre, film, dance, spoken word and more.
Through our festivals we reveal hidden parts of the city and showcase new and emerging artists, musicians, theatre and film makers.
Hidden Door is a volunteer-run charity, with our work funded through ticket sales, sponsorship and fundraising. All money goes straight back into the festival and ensuring all of our creative contributors are fairly paid.
As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to:
Plus we’re a charity – so you’ll have fun whilst also helping a worthy cause!
To hear more about what it means to volunteer, scroll down to read Christie’s story…
If you’re interested in joining in, please register your interest by filling in the following form, letting us know a little bit more about yourself and your availability.
We’re also hosting a Volunteer Get Together on Thursday 24th October at Leith Arches. Come along to meet the Hidden Door team and other volunteers, find out a bit more about the venue, and hear what volunteering with HD looks like.
You can attend even if you’re not yet sure about volunteering – it’ll be a laid back but informative evening to get you geared up for November.
If you have any other queries, or would like to understand a bit more about what’s involved, please send us an email at volunteer@hiddendoorarts.org and we’ll be happy to help.
We work hard to be a diverse and inclusive team, and we warmly welcome people from all backgrounds.
If you’re not sure if we’re the right fit for you, please do get in touch and give us a chance to tell you more. Equally, if you have any particular requirements that would help you to take part, do let us know.
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life. We believe that Hidden Door is for everyone and we are taking positive action to help people who are discriminated against, at a disadvantage, who have particular needs, a disability, BPOC+, those from diverse ethnic communities and all those who feel they are not commonly represented in the arts sector.
If you can help us with this mission, we are especially keen to hear from you.
We spoke to Christie McDove from our volunteer coordination team to hear more about volunteering with us…
Tell us about yourself…
Hi, I’m Christie. I’m a late 30s queer woman. I’m a sort of student (it’s complicated!), doing a sociology focused masters, and am also employed as a youth worker. Some of the things I’m interested in are, community, music, education and learning, volunteering, and advocacy.
Why are you volunteering for HD?
I’m volunteering with HD because collective art and music experiences are what give me joy. And I care about access for all to such joy, about working to keep some spaces and events in the hands of the community.
You’ve volunteered with us before – what brought you back?
Yes, I was a volunteer steward at The Complex in 2023. I had a great time. It was truly incredible to see the space change from a disused and abandoned office to an art filled musical wonderland. As a volunteer I felt totally supported and included and I was so impressed by the organised chaos of it all (it was better organised than some festivals I’ve attended as a paying punter!). It really meant a lot to me to be a part of something to feel proud of.
At times it seemed my contribution was ‘small’ or ‘simple’, maybe counting numbers of people or keeping an eye on some art, but it was amazing to see how the varied contributions of so many volunteers all came together to make the festival.
I have now joined the yearlong team and have been helping with planning and delivering the 2024 events.
What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering for HD?
Go for it! I was apprehensive the first time I ever came along but my fears were quickly calmed by there being so many lovely and supportive people. HD seem to take everyone’s individual skills and needs seriously so anything you may be concerned about, just ask. It’s a great way to get out and be a part of an exciting and vibrant arts and music event.
I always thought you had to be a certain kind of someone with professional creative skills to be an active part of ‘Arts and Culture’ but HD has shown me anyone can get involved.