Volunteers

"At MAC I have met some of the nicest and most interesting volunteers, employees, instructors, and patrons. It is wonderful to share our lives, interests, and commonalities. I have learned lots of new things from our interactions.” - Louise Mueller

The mission of the volunteer office is to recognize and utilize the talents of community members to assist in expanding services to the public while economizing staff time. Whether you have an artistic talent that you would like to share or would just like to get involved, volunteering at Mesa Arts Center is the perfect opportunity to give back to the community while enjoying and supporting the arts.

“Working at the Mesa Arts Center and Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum have been the high light of my life. I have met wonderful people and fellow volunteers. Each person I have met, have a story and have experienced a life full of challenges and adventures.” - Donna Bruner

The Mesa Arts Center Volunteer program is managed by Michelle Prosser. Michelle can be reached at 480-644-4695, or michelle.prosser@mesaartscenter.com. 

Benefits for Active Volunteers

• Gain valuable experience in the arts field
• Give back to your community while supporting the arts
• Make wonderful new friendships
• Earn points while you volunteer to redeem for Mesa Arts Center class discounts, complimentary tickets to performances, membership opportunities and more!

Volunteer Opportunities

• Special Events Aide
• Theater Usher
• Docent
• Museum Admissions Attendant
• Instructors Aide
• Store Assistant
• Tour Guide
• Administrative Aide

Ready to get started? Click here to fill out the volunteer application form or download the form here. Questions? Contact Michelle Prosser, Volunteer Program Manager. Michelle can be reached at 480-644-4695, or michelle.prosser@mesaartscenter.com. 

For Current Volunteers

Click HERE to log-in to the Volunteer Website

Click HERE to download the schedule for the 2nd half of the 2021-22 Season

Become a Mesa Arts Center advocate at work! Click to learn more.

Adult Painting/Drawing Instructor

Mesa Arts Center Studios Department is seeking a creative and experienced teaching artist for adult painting and drawing classes! This position requires knowledge of and ability to teach a range of foundational and special topics painting and drawing classes. Each class should be 2-3 hours in length and focus on either a series of projects for beginner students or a project that spans the total 8 weeks of the class time. Teaching artists are responsible for submitting proposals for the curriculum to the graphic arts lead instructor each class session.

Applicants must have a minimum of 3-4 years of experience teaching at an arts organization, community center, public school, or academic setting. To apply, please submit a resume and 3 professional references to laura.wilde@mesaartscenter.com. Applicant’s resume must clearly demonstrate the required amount of teaching experience to be considered for this role.

All applicants who move forward in hiring will be required to undergo a background check and drug test to qualify for employment.

Mesa Arts Center Studios department hires teaching artists on either a contractual basis or through an outside temp agency. This role should be considered as part time/temporary and is not benefited. Pay range is $20-$23 an hour plus an additional 15-30 minutes of paid prep time per class. Instructors should be able to offer a minimum of two courses during the week.

Youth Instructor

The Mesa Arts Center Studios Department is seeking a part-time youth instructor to teach a variety of painting and drawing visual arts studio classes to students aging from 6+. The instructor will be responsible for designing and implementing 2 youth classes ages of 6-17 each week in the painting and drawing department with up to 10 students maximum in addition to leading weeklong summer camp offerings. This individual will work up to 19 hours in total per week.

This position will report to the graphic arts department lead instructor directly but is responsible for communicating alongside the studios manager, fellow youth instructors, and other members of the graphic arts team as needed.

The ideal candidate has 3-5 years teaching experience with youth, demonstrating fun class curriculum

that builds educational art foundations in youth programming. Teaching backgrounds may range from implementing youth programming through community art engagement programs, studio classes, public school classes, or academic classes. This individual should be able to display strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

 Compensation is hourly at $23/hr. starting rate. To apply, please email a resume and 3 professional references to Laura.wilde@mesaartscenter.com.

Youth Coordinator – Studios Department

The Mesa Arts Center Studios Department is seeking a part-time youth coordinator to work with teaching artists to design, implement, and evaluate programming and establish best practices and policies for Mesa Arts Center youth studio classes. In addition to leading 2 youth classes ages of 6 – 17 each week in the visual or performing arts. This individual will work up to 19 hours per week. This position will assess current studio spaces, become familiar with the current team of youth instructors, staff a team of reliable youth aides, identify gaps in programming and staff, create job listings and post where able, standardize curriculum, and to form and lead a youth studios committee with youth teaching artists and aides.

This position will report to the studios manager directly, but is responsible for coordinating between various studio leads, facilities/operations, community engagement coordinator, box office representatives, development staff, and the marketing team.

The ideal candidate has 3-5 years teaching experience with youth and has an administrative background and experience in youth programming/curriculum design either through community engagement programs, studio classes, public school classes, or academic classes. This individual should be able to demonstrate experience working across departments, strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Compensation is hourly at $20/hr. starting rate. To apply, please email a resume and 3 professional references to Laura.wilde@mesaartscenter.com

Mesa Arts Center Studios Department is seeking creative and experienced teaching artist for youth ballet and movement classes! Seeking an instructor to provide Saturday morning ballet classes for youth ages 6+. Classes are 1 hour in length and will be separated by age and ability. Teaching artists are responsible for submitting proposals for the curriculum.

Applicants must have a minimum of 3-4 years of experience teaching at a community center, public school, arts organization, or academic setting. To apply, please submit a resume and 3 references (professional) to laura.wilde@mesaartscenter.com. Applicant’s resume must clearly demonstrate the required amount of teaching experience in order to be considered for this role.

All applicants who move forward in hiring will be required to undergo a background check and drug test to qualify for employment.

Mesa Arts Center Studios department hires teaching artists on either a contractual basis or through an outside temp agency. This role should be considered seasonal/part-time/temporary and is not benefited. Pay range is $20-$23 an hour plus an additional 15-30 minutes of paid prep time per class. Instructors should be able to offer a minimum of two courses during the week.

Seeking experienced enamelist to instruct students in fundamentals and advanced techniques in enamel, including metal preparation, sifting, wet packing, stenciling, sgraffito, torch firing, kiln and torch operations and safety, cloisonné, and champlevé.

Seeking experienced jewelry casting instructor to educate students in fundamentals and advanced techniques of jewelery casting, including wax carving and preparation, mold making, injection molding, spruing, investing, kiln and torch operation and safety, centrifugal casting, casting stones in place, tufa and cuttlefish casting, sand casting, cleaning, and finishing. All castings will be done in bronze, copper, shibuichi, sterling silver, fine silver, argentium, gold, and other specialty non-ferrous metal alloys. 

Welding Instructor 

Mesa Arts Center is seeking an additional instructor to teach beginning welding to adult students. This position requires knowledge of and ability to teach welding techniques in Oxy/ Acetylene MIG and handheld Plasma cutting as well as metal shop tool including and not limited to slip roller, foot stomp sheer, various table mounted sheers, metal brake, metal chop saws, angle grinders and emphases tool and shop safety. All classes are limited to eight students. Instructors should demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of their craft and 3-5 years minimum of teaching experience. All instructors are required to undergo a background check and drug test and are employed through an outside temp agency. Teaching rate is $20-$23/hr commensurate with experience plus paid prep time weekly.

To apply, please submit a resume and 3 professional references to laura.wilde@mesaartscenter.com. No phone calls please.

Writing Instructors

Mesa Arts Center seeking writing instructors to lead adult courses this summer! Instructors should demonstrated 3-5 years teaching experience and leading conversations and creative critiques for students of nonfiction, fiction, or poetry. Each class should be 2-3 hours and focus on either a series of projects for beginner students or a project that spans the total 8 weeks of the class. The classroom environment should be curated by the instructor to be fun, creative, welcoming, and a safe space for the sharing of ideas. The instructor is also responsible for managing dialogue between students and sensitive subject matter.

To apply, applicants should submit a resume, 3 professional references, and 2-3 work samples. Pay rate is $20-$23/hr plus 15 minutes of paid prep time per week. Instructors are hired as independent contractors and will receive a 1099 from the City of Mesa the following tax year. Applicants must pass a federal background check.

Please submit all questions and/or applications to Laura Wilde, Studios Manager, at laura.wilde@mesaartscenter.com

Yoga Instructor

Mesa Arts Center is seeking an experienced yoga instructor to provide Saturday morning yoga classes for the Arts in Service program (which provides free studio art classes for service-members and veterans) as well as regular adult yoga classes. Applicants should demonstrate a thorough knowledge of traditional yoga practices, and be adept at providing engaging and relaxing flows for beginning and intermediate students. Ideal applicants have 3-5 years of teaching experience. Classes are expected to be between 1 hour to 1.5 hours based on the curriculum. Potential for additional yoga classes for youth and older adults if applicants have experience.

This is a part-time non-benefitted contract or temp position intended to provide engaging classes for adults at Mesa Arts Center and complement the overarching movement program at MAC.

To apply, please send in your resume and 3 professional resumes to laura.wilde@mesaartscenter.com

Volunteers

We provide ways for community members to artistically participate in arts activities during festivals and other community events. We are always looking for volunteers to assist in these events. 

To learn how to apply to the Volunteer Program, please click here. 

Interns

Engagement Office Internships 

Interns work directly with artists and staff of the Engagement Office department to create and implement site-specific community arts programming.

Marketing and Public Relations Internships

Internships are a way students can gain professional experience and provide a service in their community. At Mesa Arts Center, interns who work in the marketing department gain experience in marketing, public relations, publicity, social networking, content creation, arts administration and event promotion. Interns become familiar with all of the internal departments of Mesa Arts Center, including Art Studios, Engagement, Festivals and Volunteers, Development/Membership, Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum and Performing Live. 

To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to connect@mesaartscenter.com. Applications are welcome at any time. For more information, click here.

Development Internships

Internships are a way students can gain professional experience and provide a service in their community. At Mesa Arts Center, interns who work in the development department gain experience in donor-ship, non-profit development, fundraising, social networking, content creation, arts administration and event promotion. Interns become familiar with all of the internal departments of Mesa Arts Center, including Art Studios, Engagement, Festivals and Volunteers, Development/Membership, Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum and Performing Live. 

To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to developmentdirector@mesaartscenter.com. Applications are welcome at any time. For more information, click here.

Bartender/Concessions Worker - Hourly Pay: $20

Essential Functions:

• Sell concessions, including soft drinks, alcohol and various food items
• Serve customers in an efficient and friendly manner
• Interact with customers and resolve customer complaints and relay relevant information to the supervisor
• Perform sales transactions in a timely fashion
• Enter sales into the register to ensure accurate sales records
• Run cash register
• Responsible for all assigned change funds and cash receipts
• Ensure cash drawer is in compliance with standards
• Perform other duties such as replenishing condiments and supplies in addition to cleaning concession area
• Comply with all sanitation and safety requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills, Education and Experience:

• Basic working knowledge of food and beverage
• Basic math skills to accurately count and handle money
• Ability to follow instructions and perform work effectively
• Positive attitude and neat appearance
• Must have food handler's card valid in the State of Arizona
• Must have license to serve alcohol
• Must be TIPS certified

Substance Abuse Testing - Not required for the City, however, the Temporary Agency may require substance abuse testing as a condition of their employment.

Fingerprinting - Due to the safety sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to a fingerprint based criminal background check through Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Federal Bureau of Information (FBI).

To apply, please contact Marathon Staffing at 480.867.6810

MCA Docents

A Docent is a teacher who serves Mesa Contemporary Arts and the community in the field of art education. Docents are considered key volunteers and extensions of the Mesa Contemporary Arts staff. They provide public and private tours and provide auxiliary security in exhibition areas during special events and opening receptions. Docents attend bi-monthly meetings, which include lectures and workshops on current exhibitions as well as art related field trips. 

To learn how to apply to the Volunteer Program, please click here.

Museum Admissions Attendants

Museum Admissions Attendants are primarily responsible for ensuring a welcoming and positive experience for all visitors to Mesa Contemporary Arts. These volunteers manage the Admissions Desk, handle Point of Sale transactions for museum admissions, greet visitors upon arrival and on the phone, answering general questions and providing friendly customer service to all patrons. For more information, click here to view a complete job description.

To learn how to apply to the Volunteer Program, please click here.

MCA Interns

Internships are a way students can gain professional experience and provide a service in their community. At Mesa Contemporary Arts, interns are an integral part of the staff and assist with all aspects of the museum, including curatorial, objects management, exhibition installation and art education. Interns become familiar with proper museum procedures and expand their knowledge of the profession.

To learn how to apply to the Internship Program, please click here.

Call To Artists

Artists applications are accepted throught the year. 

Please download artist application here.

Mesa Arts Center Creative Economy Fund

Application Deadline: May 6

As part of a larger initiative to further activate the urban center of Mesa, to increase the growing number and variety of offerings at the Mesa Arts Center (MAC) in downtown Mesa, and to continue to build an environment of creativity and discovery in the downtown district, the CREATIVE ECONOMY FUND in-kind grant program is being continued for a tenth year. The intent of this program is: 1) to provide support to professional and semi-professional organizations who use or wish to use the MAC venues; 2) to bring new cultural offerings to the Mesa and East Valley communities; and 3) to encourage new organizations to experience presenting or producing an event at the MAC, in order to form new partnerships and relationships among and across cultural organizations in the region.

22-23 Creative Economy Fund Application

Are you interested in having your educational or arts organization perform on one of the beautiful world-class stages at the Mesa Arts Center? Would you enjoy a day or night in the spotlight? If so, then consider applying for a Mesa Arts Center Foundation (MACF) grant awarded via the popular Arts at the Center Program.

Up to six Arts at the Center grant recipients are chosen each year to present a theater, dance, music or other types of creative performance on one of MAC’s stages. Theater seating can accommodate from 100 to 1,500 attendees, depending upon your needs. 

And the best part? An Arts at the Center grant allows presenters to (1) have the facilities rental fee waived and (2) receive up to $1,000 in financial support to offset some of the related production costs.

Arts at the Center grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 
There are still openings available and application for performance opportunities is strongly encouraged. 

For more information and to download an application, click here.