To mark Volunteers’ Week, Newcastle City Council’s Cultural Events Team has launched a major recruitment campaign seeking 300 volunteers to help deliver two of the city’s biggest cultural events this summer: NOVUM Summer Festival and Dominoes Newcastle.
Taking place from 7 to 9 August, NOVUM Summer Festival will transform Newcastle city centre with a vibrant programme of free performances, live music, creative experiences and community celebrations. A centrepiece of this year’s festival will be Dominoes Newcastle, an ambitious large-scale artwork by Station House Opera, which will see thousands of breeze blocks create a dramatic domino effect through the heart of the city in a spectacular shared public event.
The team is looking for over 300 volunteers to help make the magic happen. Whether welcoming audiences, supporting artists, sharing festival information or helping people discover what’s happening across the city, volunteers will be at the heart of the NOVUM experience. They’ll also play a key role in delivering Dominoes Newcastle, the festival’s headline event and one of the most ambitious public artworks ever staged in Newcastle.
Maddie Maughan, Creative Programme Manager at Newcastle City Council, said:
“NOVUM is all about bringing people together through creativity, play and shared experiences, and volunteers will be at the heart of making that happen. They help create a welcoming environment, support artists and audiences, and play an important role in bringing Dominoes Newcastle to life across the city.
“Volunteering is a fantastic way to connect with your community, and to be part of something bigger. If you’re passionate about culture, community and making great things happen, we’d love you to help us create an unforgettable summer for Newcastle.”
Volunteering at NOVUM Summer Festival is a chance to gain hands-on event experience, meet new people, develop new skills and be part of something truly special happening in the heart of Newcastle.
The opportunities are open to friendly, reliable people who enjoy working with others, supporting the public and getting involved in city-wide events. Full training, guidance and support will be provided.
Sho Shibata, Director of OutdoorArtsUK said:
“Volunteering, particularly as part of large-scale projects like Dominoes Newcastle at NOVUM, plays a vital role in making the arts accessible to everyone and in strengthening social wellbeing. As highlighted by Spirit of 2012’s research on The Impacts of Volunteering, there is strong evidence that volunteering enhances wellbeing, from increased happiness and life satisfaction to reduced symptoms of depression. Volunteers are at the heart of what makes festivals like NOVUM successful.”
Volunteering at NOVUM and Dominoes Newcastle offers the chance to experience major cultural events from the inside, to work alongside artists and event professionals, to build confidence and skills, and to help create moments that thousands of people will remember.
Karen Watson, Project Manager at Volunteer Centre Newcastle said:
“Volunteers play a vital role in bringing events to life, helping to create welcoming, vibrant experiences for residents and visitors alike. Getting involved is a great opportunity to meet new people, build confidence and develop valuable skills.
NOVUM offers a unique chance to be part of one of Newcastle’s biggest cultural celebrations, helping create unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike while seeing first-hand the impact creativity and culture can have on Newcastle and its communities.”
For more information and to express an interest in volunteering, visit www.novumnewcastle.com or contact the Cultural Events Team at novum@newcastle.gov.uk.
The post Newcastle Seeks 300 Volunteers for NOVUM Summer Festival and Dominoes Newcastle appeared first on Newcastle Magazine – Your source for inspiring Newcastle news.
