Volunteer at the Chicago Architecture Biennial

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Chicago Architecture Biennial Overview

The Chicago Architecture Biennial provides a platform for groundbreaking architectural projects and spatial experiments that demonstrate how creativity and innovation can radically transform our lived experience. Through its constellation of exhibitions, full-scale installations, and programming, the Biennial invites the public to engage with and think about architecture in new and unexpected ways, and to take part in a global discussion on the future of the field. The Chicago Architecture Biennial is hosted by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events at the historic Chicago Cultural Center.

The inaugural 2015 Chicago Architecture Biennial-presented in partnership with the City of Chicago and the Graham Foundation, and through the support of BP-was the manifestation of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s vision for a major international architectural event and an outcome of the comprehensive cultural plan developed by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events under the leadership of Michelle T. Boone. The 2015 and 2017 editions of the biennial, curated by Joseph Grima and Sarah Herda (2015) and Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee (2017), collectively engaged over 250 leaders in architecture and art from more than 60 cities spanning 38 nations.

...and other such stories

The 2019 edition of the Biennial, titled ...and other such stories , will engage participants from a wide range of disciplines-both within the traditional field of architecture and from adjacent disciplines-to explore the implications of architecture and the built environment as they relate to land, memory, rights, and civic participation. The curatorial team comprises Artistic Director Yesomi Umolu and co-curators Sepake Angiama and Paulo Tavares.

The third edition of the Biennial is particularly inspired by Chicago, moving beyond the grand narratives of the city’s architectural heritage to explore the history and conditions that continue to shape its urban development. The Biennial endeavors to engage with Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods through installations, performances, talks, films, and more.

Volunteering at the Biennial

Volunteers play an essential role as ambassadors of the Chicago Architecture Biennial-each of our volunteers represents the civic mission of our organization. Your service ensures that every Biennial experience from a visit to the Chicago Cultural Center to a trip to an off-site partner locations to participation in a Biennial public program feels like a holistic piece of the whole. The Biennial is a platform that focuses on open dialogues around key concerns facing society at large, with architecture at its core.

Volunteers also ensure that the diverse local and global publics who comprise the Biennial's audience connect to the topics explored by the Biennial. Your work is essential to welcoming participation and engagement with Biennial exhibitions, programs and Learning Initiatives. You and your fellow Biennial volunteers will ultimately welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Chicago Chicago Cultural Center and community sites from September 19, 2019 - January 5, 2020 and during Biennial preview days on September 17th and 18th. You will interact with visitors from Chicago and around the world-many traveling specifically for the Chicago Architecture Biennial and visiting the Chicago Cultural Center for the first time. Finally as a Biennial volunteer you will provide essential assistance to our team through greeting visitors, leading tours, and offering program and event support.

The Biennial could not serve our visitors without your efforts and we are committed to supporting our volunteers in any way we can. Through our partners, we are able to provide transportation and meal vouchers as well as volunteer roles for a range of skill sets and abilities.

Who should volunteer for the Biennial?

Anyone who is excited about architecture and design, Chicago, and engaging with the public! While volunteers do not need to be architecture experts, some background knowledge or experience with architecture, design, art, and education may be helpful, particularly for certain roles. Experience as a tour guide and a strong knowledge of Chicago may also be useful. Volunteers with knowledge related to specific Biennial projects or who are from neighborhoods where off-site programming takes place will be assets to our team. We are also always looking for volunteers with fluency in languages other than English.

What are the benefits of being a Biennial volunteer?

• Connect to a non-profit with origins in the Chicago Cultural Plan that has emerged as a key civic partner connecting to important social issues through architecture, design, arts, culture, and education, and much more
• Be a part of the team supporting the impacts produced by the largest architecture and design exhibition in North America
• Network with a cohort of like-minded volunteers as well as the Biennial staff and partners
• Receive 2019 edition Biennial souvenir items
• Attend our volunteer appreciation event and be entered into a raffle

What are the requirements for Biennial volunteers?

• Ability to spend three hour shifts on their feet (with time for breaks)
• Able to commit to 2 volunteer shifts per month (or the equivalent)
• Comfort with approaching and/or being approached by groups and individuals from all backgrounds
• Comfort with speaking with large groups
• Ability to interact with all visitors in a friendly and professional manner
• Flexibility and willingness to assist in a variety of roles and adapt to change
• 18 or older

Volunteer Roles

The Biennial is looking for five types of volunteers: Public Program and Event Hosts, Greeters, Learning Guides, Exhibition and Gallery Guides, and Tour Leaders. The Biennial is also seeking support for Press & Professional Preview Days.

Public Program and Event Hosts will provide essential support to Biennial staff at a series of public programs and events (lectures, VIP events, film screenings, performances, etc.) at the Chicago Cultural Center and at community sites. Hosts will support guest check in, wayfinding, distributing program materials, ushering and guiding participants, and answering questions about Biennial programs. Shift lengths will vary, but will typically be 2-4 hours and will be in the afternoons, evenings, and on weekends.

Greeters will be stationed at building entrances and information areas within the Chicago Cultural Center and will act as ambassadors of the Biennial. Greeters will provide wayfinding, distribute interpretive materials, answer basic questions, and help gather information about visitors for evaluation purposes. Shifts will last for three hours and will take place weekdays 10:00am-7:00pm and weekends 10:00am-5:00pm.

Learning Guides will provide essential support for Biennial education staff serving students and families during visits and programs. Learning Guides will meet and welcome youth tours, staff the learning center, and distribute educational materials. Shifts will last for three hours and will take place weekdays 10:00am-7:00pm and weekends 10:00am-5:00pm.

Exhibition and Gallery Guides will be stationed in specific galleries and project spaces at the Chicago Cultural Center and at off-site locations. They will be prepared with detailed information about projects and be able to answer questions and support interpretation and interaction with projects. Shifts will last for three hours and will take place weekdays and weekends 12:00pm-5:00pm.

Tour Leaders will be the "interpretive" experts at the Chicago Cultural Center. Guides will lead scheduled tours lasting approximately 1-hour. Tour Leaders will be provided with materials and scripts and will work with the Biennial staff and curatorial team to develop tours. Shifts will last for three hours and will take place select weekdays 10:00am-7:00pm and weekends 10:00am-5:00pm.

Next Steps

Share your interest in becoming a Chicago Architecture Biennial volunteer by completing a Volunteer Interest Form. This should only take a few moments and will give us a better sense of your interest, experience, and availability.

We will follow up over the next several weeks with more information and to request details about your interest in volunteering with the Biennial.

For more information visit chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org/about and feel free to contact us with any questions at volunteers@chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org