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Marco Island’s Center for the Arts (known to many as the Art League) is so fortunate to have such a dedicated volunteer base.

Hmm... How to discuss volunteers, volunteerism and how it relates to the arts? Well, I started with looking up the actual definition of volunteerism in the American Heritage Dictionary and found that it could be a synonym for the definition of the Center for the Arts: “use of or reliance on volunteers, especially to perform social or educational work in communities.” Interesting. This is exactly what the center is, an arts organization that relies on volunteers in order to operate in our community.

The challenges that face most non-profits are the same challenges that exist in the non-profit world of the arts. In making similarities to others it is my hope to have you become more familiar with the role that the arts plays in your community and more aware of the reasoning behind the requests for help.

So back to volunteers — who are they? Once again I took a visit through American Heritage to find that he or she is “a person who performs or offers to perform a service of his or her own free will; a person who renders aid, performs a service, or assumes an obligation voluntarily.”

I don’t think it is too big a secret that the Center for the Arts exists because of the dedication of its volunteers. Looking at history, the Center started in 1969 with just 19 members, all volunteers, and it continued without any paid staff until 1983. Today it continues to be governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and minimal staff for an organization of over 400 members!

It may surprise many to read that the Center for the Arts has 13 different volunteer committees, with 13 different chairpeople leading each of those committees. Volunteer opportunities exist in all facets at the center from developing the educational programs, to the exhibits, from planning social activities to planning fundraisers; from helping with office work to helping in the gift shop. There literally is something for everyone and all taking place in a great atmosphere surrounded by the arts, artists, patrons, visitors and neighbors.

We just experienced a great display of volunteerism during Celebrate the Arts. All those blue shirts walking the crowd, assisting exhibiting artists, teaching kids to make art, cleaning up the grounds, greeting the many visitors, providing tours and assisting with sales in the gift shop. Even the instructors took on some volunteer hours as they provided free demonstrations in the programs that they teach at the center.

Volunteerism occurs every single day at the Center and we are very dependent upon our volunteers to continue to provide all our services. Would you like to see the results of special committees? Attend the pARTy. There, you will enjoy the results of many hours of volunteer time. When you arrive your first reaction will be “this is over the top! What party planning professional did they hire to put this event together?” Take a breath and say “thank you,” because it will all be done by volunteers! The decorating, the search for auction items, the requests to artists, the planning, the set-up (yes, the clean-up too), the execution, all accomplished thanks to the team of volunteers.

Maybe it’s your time and just possibly it is your turn. Yep, I’m saying, why not volunteer? It’s a great way to support the arts and we could always use one more, 10 more, 100 more!

Take a look at the Arts and Culture Calendar, there’s lots going on and maybe there is something that will peak your interest. Then, stop by to say “I’d like to help”. I’m sure you won’t be sorry, maybe amused, maybe tired, maybe inspired, but not sorry. Hope to see you at the pARTy, I know all the volunteers would love to see you too.

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Christine Neal is the executive director of the Art League, Marco Island’s Center for the Arts. Marco Island’s Center for the Arts is located at 1010 Winterberry Drive. 394-4221. mail@marcoislandart.com.