The Soap Factory is proud to be supported by a team of over 400 volunteers and 20 interns each year. In 2011 volunteers completed over 14,000 hours of work, supporting programs like The Ten Second Film Festival, The Amazing Adventures of the Corporate Wizard in the Land of LARP, The Haunted Basement and all of our regular exhibitions and building improvements.
The dedication of volunteers over the past two and a half decades has built The Soap Factory into the region's premier laboratory for emerging contemporary art. Over 25,000 individuals visit the galleries each year for programs from visual arts to performance, video and much more. With the ideas, labor and passion from our volunteers, The Soap Factory has grown into a thriving community of artists. Volunteers help year-round with installation, administrative tasks, gallery sitting, photography, special events, landscaping and maintenance. In 2012 our volunteers will assist in manufacturing hundreds of terracotta bombs, install large-scale sculptural works, act in The Haunted Basement and plan our 2012 Volunteer Biennial.
Ready to get started?
All prospective year-round volunteers must attend a New Volunteer Orientation session. Our next orientation session is scheduled for March 10th, 12:00 - 3:00pm. If you're interested in attending New Volunteer Orientation please click here to register.
Interested in The Haunted Basement?
We accept project-specific volunteers for The Haunted Basement each year so you can jump right in! These volunteers help with set building, costumes, acting and front-of-house during the performance run in October. To express interest in volunteering for The Haunted Basement only, please click here.
All volunteers and interns must be at least 18 years old.
Please contact me with questions about our volunteer or internship programs:
Lillian Egner
Program and Volunteer Manager
lillian@soapfactory.org
Internships
Internships at The Soap Factory are a terrific way to explore working at a nonprofit art gallery. Every year we engage over 20 interns working closely with our staff, board members and exhibiting artists. All internships at The Soap Factory are unpaid.
We do not adhere to a traditional semester-based schedule for internships at The Soap Factory. Below is a listing of our upcoming 2012 internships. Details for each internship will be posted approximately one month before the application deadline.
Each internship requires a resume and cover letter from the applicant. A cover letter highlights your skills and experiences to emphasize why you are a good fit for a particular internship. If you plan to apply for multiple internships please submit a separate application for each position. No paper applications are accepted, all internship materials must be submitted via email.
THE SOAP FACTORY’S 2012 INTERNSHIPS
current postings listed below
Installation: Andy Ducett application deadline February 15th
Ten Second Film Festival application deadline March 1st
Installation: FLO(we){u}r application deadline March 20th
Marketing Research application deadline April 1st
Public Relations application deadline April 1st
Installation: Annual Show from Submissions application deadline April 25th
Development application deadline April 20th
INSTALLATION INTERNSHIP: ANDY DUCETT
Application Deadline: February 15th
Internship Start Date: March 1st
Internship End Date: November 30th
Time Commitment:
• March - July approximately 10 hours per week
• 3 weeks leading up to exhibition opening (September 8th) up to 40 hours per week
• 6 weeks during the exhibition’s run approximately 2 hours per week
• 2 weeks following the exhibition’s close (November 11th) approximately 20 hours per week
Description:
The Soap Factory is seeking qualified and passionate individuals to serve as Installation Interns for our upcoming solo exhibition featuring artist Andy Ducett. The Installation Interns will provide valuable assistance during the development and building of this large-scale installation. Andy Ducett will work in residence at The Soap Factory throughout the Spring and Summer preparing for the exhibition’s installation in August. More information about the artist is available at www.andyducett.com.
The Installation Internship for Andy Ducett is an opportunity to explore the complex nature of installing of a solo exhibition. The Soap Factory is the Midwest’s premier laboratory for emerging contemporary art with 12,000 sq ft of exhibition space. We pride ourselves on pushing boundaries and encouraging artists to take risks in their practice. Located in a 120 year old wood and brick factory space, The Soap Factory, offers artists and interns alike an exciting challenge with each new project.
Responsibilities:
• Building and fabrication of artwork
• Supervision of volunteers during installation
• Sourcing materials within exhibition budget constraints
• Maintenance support in preparation of the gallery space and materials
• Assistance with gallery lighting and didactic materials
• Assistance and project leadership during installation period
• Building inside of the gallery space requiring use of power tools and some heavy lifting
• Problem solving installation techniques prior to and during installation period
• Removal of installation after the exhibition closes in November
Experience and Requirements:
Some construction and basic carpentry experience is required. Some heavy lifting required (must be comfortable lifting 40 lbs). A keen attention to detail and strong work ethic are paramount. Experience in sculpture, theater construction or installation is a plus. Must have reliable daily email and phone access.
Equipment Operation:
Drills, saws, ladders, sewing machine, staple gun and other basic shop equipment
Please apply by February 15th:
Please send a resume and cover letter to Lillian Egner, Program and Volunteer Manager: internships@soapfactory.org. Applicants will be contacted about interviews several days after the deadline.
TEN SECOND FILM FESTIVAL INTERNSHIP
Application Deadline: March 1st
Internship Start Date: March 15th
Internship End Date: July 15th
Time Commitment:
• March - April approximately 5 hours per week
• May - June approximately 12 hours per week
• June - July approximately 2 hours per week
• Must be available on both June 8th and 9th
Description:
Ten Second Film Festival is The Soap Factory’s most highly anticipated summer event. The Ten Second Film Festival showcases the top 100 ten second films submitted for review and screens them outdoors during Northern Spark on June 9th. The success of this event is largely dependent on an energetic, creative, and organized intern who assists the curator in all aspects of the film festival. The intern’s primary responsibility will be to maintain correspondence between filmmakers and The Soap Factory, work with our partners at MPLS.TV, marketing, and coordinating the event itself. This internship position is ideal for someone looking to gain both administrative and events planning experience in an arts non-profit.
Responsibilities:
• Work in partnership with Northern Spark and MPLS.TV staff
• Manage email correspondence between The Soap Factory and filmmakers
• Research equipment and layout for the festival
• Assist in review and selection of submissions
• Catalog accepted submissions and artist contacts
• Advertise for submissions and the event
• Conduct sponsorship inquiries working with The Soap Factory’s development director
• Edit and run festival films on June 9th and create DVD archive of film festival
Experience and Requirements: An ideal candidate will be interested in contemporary art and film, and be very comfortable using video editing software. Strong time management skills are a must as well as a the candidate’s adherence to deadlines. A well qualified candidate will be enthusiastic about event planning and promotion, self motivated and a creative problem solver.
Software: Mac, MS Word and Excel, Google docs, Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat, Final Cut Express (or Pro)/Imovie. Must have reliable daily internet/email access.
Please apply by March 1st:
Please send a resume and cover letter to Lillian Egner, Program and Volunteer Manager internships@soapfactory.org. Applicants will be contacted about interviews several days after the deadline.
INSTALLTION INTERNSHIP: FLO(we){u}R
Application Deadline: March 20th
Internship Start Date: April 10th
Internship End Date: June 15th
Time Commitment:
• April - May approximately 15 hours per week
• June approximately 5 hours per week
Description:
The Soap Factory is seeking qualified and passionate individuals to serve as Installation Interns for our upcoming project FLO(we){u}R. The Installation Interns will provide valuable assistance to visiting artists Amber Ginsburg and Joe Madrigal, work directly with gallery visitors and supervise production volunteers. FLO(we){u}R is a ceramics manufacturing project based on World War One military targeting technology. The Soap Factory’s gallery will be converted into a terracotta bomb factory producing hundreds of dried clay forms. FLO(we){u}R relies heavily on community participation through the dissemination of bombs and planting native wild flowers throughout Minneapolis.
The Installation Internship for FLO(we){u}R is an opportunity to explore the complex nature of production-based installation work and community driven programming. The Soap Factory is the Midwest’s premier laboratory for emerging contemporary art with 12,000 sq ft of exhibition space. We pride ourselves on pushing boundaries and encouraging artists to take risks in their practice. Located in a 120 year old wood and brick factory space, The Soap Factory, offers artists and interns alike an exciting challenge with each new project.
Responsibilities:
• Maintenance support in preparation of the gallery space
• Sourcing materials within exhibition budget constraints
• Fabrication and assembly of terracotta bomb forms filled with flour and flower seed
• Problem solving production techniques prior to and during exhibition period
• Supervision and instruction of volunteers during production
• Assistance with gallery lighting and didactic materials
• Building inside of the gallery space requiring use of power tools and clay mixing by hand
• Community outreach and interaction both on and off site
• Removal of installation after the exhibition closes in June
Experience and Requirements:
Some basic ceramics experience is required. Some heavy lifting required (must be comfortable lifting 50 lbs). An ideal candidate is passionate about contemporary art and community programming. A well qualified candidate will have a strong work ethic, attention to detail through process-based art practice and be an excellent communicator. Must have reliable daily email and phone access.
Equipment Operation:
Drills, ladders, plaster molds, clay mixing equipment, pallet jack and other basic shop equipment
Please apply by March 20th:
Please send a resume and cover letter to Lillian Egner, Program and Volunteer Manager: internships@soapfactory.org. Applicants will be contacted about interviews several days after the deadline.
PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNSHIP
Application Deadline: April 1st
Internship Start Date: April 20th
Internship End Date: December 20th
Time Commitment:
• Approximately 5 - 10 hours per week
• Flexible working hours
Description:
The Soap Factory is one of Minnesota’s leading centers for contemporary art. Located in the former National Purity Soap Factory building, the historic 48,000 sq. ft. wood and brick Victorian warehouse is now a progressive art space focused on emerging contemporary practice. In 2011 The Soap Factory served an audience of more than 25,000 people. Communication and marketing to our current audience as well as expanding our audience are the two focal points of this internship.
The Public Relations Internship is an opportunity to explore The Soap Factory through marketing and public relations. This is an excellent opportunity to gain administrative and PR skills in an arts environment, and to become familiar with local and national media of all varieties. The Public Relations Intern will aid in research, track press coverage, manage our mailing databases, assist with The Soap Factory’s blog, develop new opportunities for promotion and write a press release. The intern will focus particularly on several of our larger events such as The Ten Second Film Festival and Haunted Basement.
Responsibilities:
• Research and develop The Soap Factory’s email marketing and communications
• Track all press coverage of The Soap Factory’s programs, this includes both print and online sources
• Archive and file all press coverage of The Soap Factory, compiling a year-end report
• Update and maintain PR mailing list (local, national and international contacts)
• Assist in managing The Soap Factory’s social media and online presence
• Manage mailing lists for the distribution of promotional materials
• Promote The Haunted Basement’s program and ticket sales
• Assist in managing The Soap Factory’s blog contributing ideas an written content
Experience and Requirements:
While a background in the arts is not required, an ideal candidate is passionate about contemporary art and eager to learn about nonprofit management. A well qualified candidate will be detail oriented, punctual and a strong communicator. Time management skills, attention to detail and accuracy are valuable. Must have reliable daily email and phone access.
Software (some training provided):
Mac, MS Word and Excel, Filemaker Pro, Constant Contact, Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat, and Google docs. Basic knowledge of social media and blogging is a plus.
Please apply by April 1st:
Please send a resume, cover letter and writing sample to Lillian Egner, Program and Volunteer Manager: internships@soapfactory.org. Your writing sample should be no longer than one page, preferably something that was written for either academic or professional purposes. (one page of a paper, media release, etc.) Applicants will be contacted about interviews several days after the deadline.
MARKETING RESEARCH INTERNSHIP
Application Deadline: April 1st
Internship Start Date: April 15th
Internship End Date: January 31st, 2013
Time Commitment:
• April - October Approximately 15 hours per month
• November - January Approximately 50 hours per month
• Primarily flexible schedule but the intern must be available for opening receptions and events
Description:
The Soap Factory, one of the Twin Cities’ largest centers for emerging, contemporary art, is seeking an intern to lead our marketing research in 2011. In 2012, leading up to the launch of our capital campaign, The Soap Factory will be gathering important information from our visitors, analyzing that data, and applying it to our organizational needs. The Soap Factory is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and has over two decades of history in the Twin Cities art scene.
The Marketing Research Internship will be directly under the supervision of the Program and Volunteer Managers and work closely with the entire Soap Factory staff and board of directors. While an arts background is not required, the intern must be eager to learn about our gallery’s mission, history and programs.
Responsibilities:
• Design and execute in gallery surveys including both a computer based survey and in person questionnaire
• Execute surveys at Soap Factory opening receptions and special events
• Research, analysis and data entry working independently
• Track gallery visitor numbers and demographic results
• Consolidate and analyze data gathered working with marketing team to set goals for the gallery
• Create and present a final 2012 report to The Soap Factory’s Board of directors in January, 2013
Experience and Requirements:
Must be a confident communicator and representative of The Soap Factory. This position involves direct contact with our patrons and gathering important information. A qualified candidate will be extremely organized, punctual and comfortable working autonomously.
Software:
MS Excel, Powerpoint and Word, google docs, survey monkey. Must have reliable daily internet/email access.
Please apply by April 1st:
Please send a resume and cover letter to Lillian Egner, Program and Volunteer Manager internships@soapfactory.org. Applicants will be contacted about interviews several days after the deadline.