Volunteer
Volunteers come to...
- To learn more about emerging trends in Native art
- To personally meet with Native artists and to see their incredible and diverse artworks
- To network with other Native art professionals
- To see old friends and to make new friends
- To experience historic Santa Fe during this amazing cultural event
- To experience the behind the ropes experience of the largest American Indian art market in the world!
Volunteers show up at the SWAIA offices starting the Monday before Indian Market but the but the real excitement begins with the Receiving of Art Work from SWAIA artists on Wednesday. Over 150 volunteers converge on the Santa Fe Community Convention Center to help artists submit their high quality art for judging in hopes of securing the coveted and prestigious, Best of Show award. On Thursday, over 50 expert volunteer judges and 150 volunteer assistants participate in the vital process of selecting and recording the award winning artwork. Friday's Preview of the Award Winning Art brings a fresh crew of over a 150 volunteers that help SWAIA celebrate the award winners with an evening of festivities. These events also feature a Best of Show announcement event, a Poster Signing, a members' Sneak Preview Reception, and the notable Silent Auction that features artwork from SWAIA's generous artists. Saturday evening brims with the high energy of the Gala Fundraising Event which features a cocktail reception with an exceptional Silent Auction, followed by a dinner and the renowned Gala Live Auction event that features high-end artwork from the best known Native artists of Indian Market. Almost 100 volunteers are needed to make this signature event the success that it is.
The exhilaration continues on Saturday and Sunday as the main event, the Santa Fe Indian Market occurs. Over 1,100 juried Native American artists from throughout the United States exhibit and sell their art work in over 650 booths set on the Santa Fe Plaza and the surround streets. Over 150 volunteers take part in providing visitors with information, providing assistance to SWAIA artists, and selling SWAIA merchandise with proceeds helping to support year round programs. And don't miss the Native American Clothing Contest on Sunday morning held at the Plaza Gazebo. Over 50 Volunteers and guest judges assist competing Native artists and their children in this colorful and educational event, full of traditional regalia and cutting edge Native couture.
Become an Indian Market Volunteer and enjoy the excitement that this historic, innovative, cultural Native arts event brings to Santa Fe and the world!
Download the 2010 Santa Fe Indian Market Volunteer Application (PDF)
Santa Fe Indian Market 2010
General Volunteer Information
Thank you for volunteering for this year's 89th annual Santa Fe Indian Market. We couldn't do it without you! Please review the following information, as there have been several changes this year:
1. Volunteer Aprons & Badges: Due to limited supply, only one apron per volunteer will be provided (please see your assignment letter for coupon.) Please wear your badge & apron for the entirety of your shift, as this is an important security means of identifying official volunteers. Badges will be color-coded according to your specific assignment and day of assignment and will grant you entrance to your assigned Market activity. Aprons and badges will be provided at check-in.
2. Volunteer Gift: In gratitude for your generous volunteer service, SWAIA is providing two gift options for 2010 Volunteers: one 2010 Indian Market T-shirt OR a $10 voucher to go toward a 2010 Indian Market Merchandise item of your choice. If you choose the voucher option, please bring extra money along for any purchases you wish to make that exceed the value of the voucher. Unfortunately, credit will not be issued if you choose to purchase an item of lesser value than the voucher. Due to a limited supply of merchandise, only one t-shirt/voucher per volunteer can be issued, regardless of number of assignments worked. Merchandise will be available Wednesday through Friday at the Convention Center, as well as at the Official Indian Market Merchandise Booths on Saturday and Sunday. (Please see your assignment letter for coupon.)
3. Santa Fe Convention Center-Awards Program Volunteer Assignments (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, early Saturday): This year we return to the Santa Fe Convention Center a day earlier for the Receiving of artwork. The Convention Center is located at 201 W. Marcy Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501. The Convention Center is a beautiful, spacious, air-conditioned space that is a pleasant work environment for our Volunteers. Volunteer check-in will be in the main lobby of the Convention Center. As noted above Convention Center Security requires Volunteer Aprons & Badges for entrance into all Convention Center activities. Trainings will be provided onsite prior to the start of all activities. Because most Convention Center volunteer activities have daylong shifts, light meals will be provided courtesy of SWAIA.
4. Indian Market General Volunteers (Saturday & Sunday): Volunteer check-in will be located on the Plaza at the Information/Volunteer/Artist Services tent (please see map.) Badges will be provided at check-in and light refreshments will be provided during the day at the check-in location. For volunteers working a full day we will provide box lunches.
5. Gala Volunteers (Saturday Evening): Gala Volunteer check-in will be on the Mezzanine at the La Fonda Hotel at 100 E. San Francisco Street, right off the Santa Fe Plaza. A light dinner will be provided.
9. Personal Belongings: Because of liability issues, SWAIA asks that you refrain from bringing any personal belongings to your Volunteer shift that are not easily storable on your person. SWAIA does not have secure storage space for purses, backpacks or packages and is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal belongings.
10. Personal Jewelry: Many of the volunteer positions require proximity to valuable artwork. For liability reasons, we ask that you not wear large, dangly jewelry during your volunteer shift due to possible damage to the art work.
11. Arrival Times: Please plan on arriving at least 15-20 minutes early for your shift, this gives you time to check-in and locate your training session location before the start of your shift.
12. Cancelations: Please let us know if you cannot work your assigned shift - for whatever reason - we ask that you call us and let us know as soon as possible at (505) 983-5220: ask for Cheryl or Gomeo.
13. Walk-In Volunteer Positions: We will have a few walk-in assignments available onsite. However, due to security issues, walk-in volunteers might not be accommodated for the following activities: Receiving, Judging, Preview, and Gala. If you know someone who is interested in volunteering, please call the SWAIA office ahead of time to ask where help is needed most. Please call Cheryl or Gomeo at (505) 983-5220 for assistance.
14. Volunteer Check-Out: Please notify your Volunteer Team Leader if you need to leave your assignment early. It is essential that we have full coverage for your assignment area for the times listed on your assignment letter. Volunteer Chairs and Team Leaders are responsible for releasing volunteers at the end of shifts once all work has been completed.
15. SWAIA Artists, Members, Customers, Visitors Come First: During your shift, you are an official representative of SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market. We ask all of our Volunteers to maintain the highest level of professional courtesy, promptness and attention to customer service that Indian Market's numerous constituents have come to expect. While we want our Volunteers to be comfortable, please refrain from activities that might interfere with your attention to customers, artists or members. We rely on our Volunteers to give all of our visitors and guests with a positive and informed impression of Indian Market's importance to Native arts and culture.
16. Conflict Management: If a fellow Volunteer is doing or saying something that seems inappropriate, please inform a SWAIA Staff person immediately. For liability reasons, we ask that you refrain from confronting another Volunteer on your own. While we view the diversity of professional background, training and expertise possessed by our Volunteers as an invaluable asset, these differences can sometimes manifest onsite as a conflict of opinion, work style or communication. Because we depend on a whole community of Volunteers to make Indian Market a resounding success, we ask you to maintain the highest level of professionalism in your interactions with other Volunteers. Being considerate, attentive and friendly goes a long way in facilitating a greater understanding of the value of Indian Market.
17. Smoking: No smoking is allowed in any SWAIA volunteer activity. If you do smoke, please do so in an area where other volunteers, artists, and visitors are not exposed to the smoke.
18. If Something Bad Happens: We rarely have problems, but if there is an accident, a customer tries to shoplift, an artist is displeased with a booth assignment, a guest acts inappropriately, etc., find a SWAIA Staff Person or your Team Leader immediately. We have security onsite at the Convention Center, and the Santa Fe Police Department and Paramedic Units will be on the northeast corner of the Plaza. Also, you may call Cheryl on her cell phone at 505-577-9095 and she will radio for assistance.
19. Enjoy the Market! Over 100,000 visitors come to Santa Fe specifically for SWAIA's Indian Market. Help them enjoy the world's most prestigious Native American arts show and take the time to discover it yourself!