How to Volunteer or Exhibit at Penzance Art Festival

Penzance Art Festival runs on community energy: artists, makers, stewards, technicians, and friendly faces who keep the doors open and the conversations flowing. If you’re keen to pitch in or show your work, this guide spells out what to expect, how to apply, and how to make your contribution stand out.

Why get involved

Volunteering puts you at the heart of the programme. You’ll meet artists, learn how a festival assembles in real time, and pick up skills that translate beyond the arts. Exhibiting, meanwhile, places your work before a mixed audience—local collectors, curious visitors, and peers who can open future opportunities.

Both paths build your network. A morning welcoming visitors can turn into a studio visit. A small wall piece might spark a commission. The festival is designed to make these encounters likely.

Volunteer roles at a glance

Roles range from easy-going front-of-house assistance to specialist technical support. Each has a lead contact and a short briefing so you can slot in quickly.

• Front-of-house: greet visitors, share programme info, track headcounts.
• Exhibition stewarding: monitor works, answer questions, log visitor feedback.
• Install and deinstall: hang works, place plinths, patch and paint walls.
• Artist liaison: assist with check-in, delivery slots, schedules.
• Box office and info desk: merchandise, ticketed events, lost property.
• Tech and AV: projectors, media players, lighting cues, sound checks.
• Photography and social: capture consented images, short clips, captions.

New volunteers often start on front-of-house or steward shifts, then branch into install or tech after shadowing a coordinator. If you’ve never used a picture rail system or a projector, you’ll get a walk-through before you’re on duty.

How to volunteer: step-by-step

The sign-up is straightforward. You’ll share your availability, skills, and any access needs so the team can place you well.

1. Register interest: complete the volunteer form on the festival website with contact details, role preferences, and dates.
2. Attend a briefing: short online or in-person session covering schedules, venues, and key contacts.
3. Pick shifts: choose from a live rota; popular slots fill quickly, so confirm early.
4. Onboard on-site: arrive 20 minutes before your first shift for a venue walk-through.
5. Log hours: record start and end times; this helps with references and travel stipends where applicable.

Expect two- to four-hour shifts with breaks. If you’re traveling, pair shifts to make the most of your time. Some venues are accessible step-free; if you need specific accommodations, flag them in the form so the team can allocate appropriate locations.

Volunteer commitments and perks

Consistency matters more than quantity. One reliable shift per day beats overcommitting. Coordinators plan staffing around promises kept.

Small gestures go far: bring a pen, carry a phone charger, and note visitor questions. These snippets feed into daily briefings and improve the public experience.

Exhibiting: what curators look for

The open call invites work across media—painting, drawing, print, sculpture, textiles, photography, sound, video, performance, and installation. The curatorial team balances strong individual pieces with a cohesive flow through spaces of different sizes and light levels.

Selection criteria are clear: quality of execution, clarity of concept, suitability for the venue, and logistics. A compelling two-sentence statement and clear images can lift your submission above the noise. Think of a visitor pausing in front of your piece: what do you want them to notice first, and why?

How to apply to exhibit

Preparation makes the process smoother and prevents last-minute snags. Use filenames and captions that match your application to avoid confusion during selection.

1. Read the brief: note themes, dimensions, hanging limits, and eligibility.
2. Curate 3–6 works: show range without diluting your voice; include at least one recent piece.
3. Photograph properly: daylight or diffused light, square-on images, one detail shot if relevant.
4. Write your statement: 120–180 words on intent, process, and context; avoid jargon.
5. Prepare a work list: title, year, medium, dimensions (H × W × D), price or NFS, display needs.
6. Submit via the portal: upload images (JPEG/PNG), statement, and bio before the deadline.

If your work includes sound or moving image, include a one-minute clip or silent preview plus a tech rider: file format, playback device, screen size, speakers or headphones. This helps the team plan cabling and power well ahead of install week.

Fees, sales, and delivery

Open-call exhibitions may carry a modest submission or hanging fee to cover install materials and insurance. Sales, when enabled, usually run through the festival’s desk with a standard commission that supports programming.

• Submission fee: typically per artist, occasionally per work.
• Commission: a percentage of sale price; price your work with this in mind.
• Payment: buyers settle with the festival; artists are paid after the event cycle.
• Delivery and collection: artists handle transport unless otherwise stated.

Pack work securely and label both the package exterior and the artwork verso with your name, title, and contact. A simple scenario: a framed print arrives without a label on a busy install day; the team sets it aside until they can match it to the file. Labeled work gets hung first.

Technical and display requirements

Solid presentation wins trust. Frames should be clean, glass free of scratches, and fixings secure. Unframed works should arrive with a display plan—bulldog clips, magnets, or a specified shelf—rather than assumptions.

For sculpture and installations, list footprint, weight, and any special bases or power needs. If your piece needs a darkened space, propose a workable alternative in case the black box is oversubscribed. Flexibility keeps you in the running.

Deadlines and timelines

Mark key dates early so you can pace your work and avoid rush prints the night before delivery.

1. Open call announcement: guidelines posted with theme and venue notes.
2. Submission window: typically 4–6 weeks; late entries aren’t reviewed.
3. Selection notices: acceptances and reserves emailed with next steps.
4. Delivery slots: timed windows for each venue; bring hanging kit if requested.
5. Install week: limited access; artists may be present by prior agreement.
6. Deinstall and collection: scheduled pick-up; bring ID or confirmation.

If you need to withdraw a piece, notify the team as soon as possible so the hang plan can be adjusted without leaving a gap. A quick email saves hours of re-layouts.

Accessibility and conduct

The festival aims to be welcoming for artists, volunteers, and audiences. Venues list access notes, and the team can arrange alternative tasks or display positions where feasible. State any access requirements in your application so they’re addressed early.

Expect a simple code of conduct: be punctual, respect artworks and visitors, follow health and safety guidance, and raise issues promptly. If a visitor touches a piece, for example, ask them kindly to step back and note any marks for the coordinator to assess.

Tips that make a difference

Small habits lead to a smoother festival for everyone involved. They also reflect well on you as a collaborator.

• Carry tape, a sharpie, and a microfibre cloth; they solve half of install problems.
• Save phone numbers for your venue lead and artist liaison in advance.
• Keep captions consistent: same units, same punctuation, same order.
• Set prices that you can repeat with confidence; avoid on-the-spot changes.
• If you’re unsure, ask once, then note the answer for the next person.

One micro-example: a steward logs that visitors are struggling with a dim caption. The next morning, the team bumps the light by one stop and legibility improves. That note took ten seconds and lifted the room.

Get started

If you’re ready to help on the ground, complete the volunteer form and pick a briefing. If you’re preparing to exhibit, gather images, polish your statement, and check technical needs against the venue notes. The festival thrives on people who show up prepared and curious—bring both, and you’ll fit right in.