JOIN THE COCKPIT TEAM

Volunteer at Cockpit’s London Craft Week Exhibition & Summer Open Studios
Become part of the Cockpit volunteer team!

Our London Craft Week Exhibition is a Cockpit first: a week-long public exhibition at our Bloomsbury site coinciding with London Craft Week in May. We are seeking volunteers to provide support during the exhibition and at our Summer Open Studios in June, where we open the doors to the public for the opportunity to meet over 180 makers.

The volunteer team will be key in helping Cockpit to deliver a smooth and enriching experience to all our partners and visitors. This will be an invaluable opportunity to meet a diverse body of artist-makers and help sell their work directly to the public

What is Cockpit?
Cockpit is a centre of excellence in contemporary craft. Spanning a wide range of craft disciplines, Cockpit makers are united by their extraordinary skill and imagination. Bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, our mission is to equip makers to succeed on their own terms, creatively and commercially. 

A charity and UK top 100 social enterprise, Cockpit gives makers tools to build their businesses so they can focus on what they do best: making. We provide funded studio space, in-house business training and coaching, and exhibition opportunities for 176 makers practicing 23 different disciplines. Beyond Cockpit we work with makers throughout the United Kingdom and internationally.

The Role: Exhibition & Events Volunteer

What will you do?

By joining the Cockpit team as a volunteer, you help us by being an on-site presence at our London Craft Week Exhibition and Summer Open Studios. You will actively engage with visitors at the event; invigilate the exhibitions, helping to keep the art works safe; offering help, guidance to visitors, as well as actively selling the work on show (full training will be given), supporting with VIP events. You will work closely with the team running the event and pass any problems/issues back to the event manager.

Key qualities: 

• Ideal for someone with a genuine interest in craft and the creative sector and keen to learn from interactions with the core team and makers
• Good communication skills, friendly and with a natural ability to engage with the public
• Confident sharing some knowledge with visitors about Cockpit and what we do as a charity
• Possess a calm and measured presence to assist with the smooth delivery of events
• Keen to learn more about selling and interpreting exhibitions

Who are we looking for?

• Presentable, confident and enthusiastic individuals who have a keen interest in craft, design and the visual arts
• Some retail and sales experience
• Some experience of working in events, customer service and/or invigilating exhibitions
• Can confidently and clearly give directions and assist the public with queries
• Able to attend on-site training/orientation session in April. Date will be confirmed during ‘get to know you’ session

Dates & Times: 

• Craft Week – 12-16 May
  • Monday 12 May, 2.30-8.30 pm – Cockpit Effect Launch & VIP Preview
  • Tuesday 13 May, 11.40 am-6.15 pm
  • Wednesday 14 May, 11.40 am-6.15 pm
  • Thursday 15 May, 11.40 am-8.15 pm – Late opening
  • Friday 16 May, 11.40 am-6.15 pm
• Bloomsbury Open Studios – 5-8 June 
  • Thursday 5 June, 11.40 am-8.15 pm – VIP Preview
  • Friday 6 June, 11.40 am-6.15 pm
  • Saturday 7 June, 11.40 am-6.15 pm
  • Sunday 8 June, 11.40 am-6.15 pm

• Deptford Open Studios – 13-15 June 
  • Friday 13 June, 11.40 am-8.15 pm – VIP Preview & Late opening
  • Saturday 14 June, 11.40 am-6.15 pm
  • Sunday 15 June, 11.40 am -6.15 pm

Hours of Work: 

• You would be expected to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the public opening times
• Shifts are usually for the whole day with 2 x 30-minute breaks, unless specified
• We would ask you to do a minimum of 2 shifts across each event (i.e., 2 shifts for Craft Week & 2 shifts for Open Studios), however ideally you can work the full event

Expenses 

• We will cover daily travel expenses (up to £15.00)
• We will cover up to £10 for lunch per day
• Refreshments and light snacks will be provided for breaks

How to apply and get involved:

If you would like to get involved, please send your CV and/or a brief statement of interest to adrian@cockpitstudios.org by Monday 7 April at 12 pm.  Please include ‘Cockpit Volunteer’ in the subject line of your email.

• We will review all applications following the deadline and notify you via email
• You will be invited to a get to know you session to find out more about the role and understand your availability and experience. These will take place on w/c 7 or 14 April
• There will be orientation and training sessions – attendance is required as it will be opportunity to ask questions and meet the core team