Volunteer Application | Sydney Contemporary

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Sydney Contemporary, Australasia’s premier art fair!

The five-day event from 2nd – 6th September 2026 (2 September, Invitation-only VIP Preview), is the annual pre-eminent meeting place for the Australian art world. Featuring a varied program of activities that platforms the highest quality contemporary art, emergent practices, and topical issues, the Fair attracts a vast array of art collectors, art lovers and institutional professionals. Our volunteers make a significant contribution to the success of our event, and to creating a welcoming and positive atmosphere for all visitors at the Fair.

To apply to volunteer, please complete the below form, indicating the days you would like to participate. Please note, you must be over 18 years old to apply.

Once submitted, you should receive a confirmation email. If you have not received one, the application may not have been submitted properly. If this does not appear, please contact [email protected]

For any questions, please contact Mark Biddell, [email protected]

Benefits

Experience with the behind-the-scenes of a large scale multi-disciplinary event.
Opportunity to network with industry professionals in the visual arts.
Exposure to the very best in visual art from Australia and overseas and involvement in an exciting event on the Australian Visual Arts calendar.
Complimentary entry to Sydney Contemporary, with an additional allocation of complimentary tickets so you can invite your friends and family.
Written referral letter offered following completion of the Fair.
Stipend of $20 per day for travel expenses. All meals included onsite.

Essential Prerequisites

Availability for at least one full day between 2nd-6th September.
Availability for the Volunteer briefing on Monday 31st August. Time TBC, likely at 5pm for 1 hour. In person attendance is preferable.
High level of communication skills and English spoken language with confident ability to liaise with a broad range of individuals.
Keen interest in and/or knowledge of modern and/or contemporary art and/or events (desirable, not essential).

Role Summary

The five-day event will feature a varied program of activities and will require assistance from volunteers with a range of skills and interests to assist in daily operations during the Fair.

Tasks may include, but not limited to:

Providing support to the Fair management team and/or Exhibitors during bump-in and bump-out.
Having an in-depth knowledge of the venue, floorplan, and fair sections so that you can respond to queries from the general public.
Understanding the key staff members involved in the Fair should there be a query that needs to be directed accordingly.
Assisting the Fair management team in the running of the onsite program, i.e., Talks, Installations, Kid Contemporary and Performance.
Invigilating artworks for the Installations program.
Assisting with the running of the Kid Contemporary program, under guidance from the artist (Must have working with children check).
Assisting with front of house requirements at Info Desk, VIP and MA Financial Group VIP Lounges, Front Entrance, i.e., greeting visitors, directing visitors through different areas of the Fair, scanning tickets or assisting visitors with queries onsite.

Personal Details

Preferred Pronouns(Required)

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Age(Required)

18-25

26-35

36-50

51+

Address(Required)

Street Address City ZIP / Postal Code

Languages spoken other than English? (Indicate fluency)

Photograph(Required)

Help us put a face to a name! Please attach a clear photo of you to assist the team on-site. (This will not be distributed anywhere publicly)

Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, jpeg, png, Max. file size: 1 MB.

T-Shirt Size(Required)

We will provide a t-shirt to wear on-site to identify you as a volunteer. To help us plan the order, please indicate your size below:

As meals will be provided on-site, please advise us of any dietary requirements:(Required)

Please provide information on any health matters which may be relevant to your ability to undertake work assigned:

Working With Children Check(Required)

If you are rostered on to assist with the Kid Contemporary program, you will need to hold a valid Working With Children Check

Yes, I have a Working With Children Check certificate

No, I don't have a Working With Children Check certificate

Working With Children Check Certificate

Please upload a copy of your valid Working With Children Check

Max. file size: 3 MB.

Emergency Contact Details

Emergency Contact Full Name(Required)

First Last

Relationship To You(Required)

Emergency Contact Phone(Required)

Availability

Please indicate the days you would like to volunteer during the week of the Fair.(Required)

Note the times indicated below are provisional and will be confirmed once rostered. Please only indicate the days you would like to volunteer, as we may roster you on for all days that you select.

Tuesday, 1 September (Exhibitor Bump-In Only, not open to public) 7:30am-1pm (Limited availability)

Wednesday, 2 September (VIP Preview) 9:30am-8:30pm

Thursday, 3 September (Fair Day) 10am-5pm

Thursday, 3 September (Art Night) 4:30pm-9:30pm

Friday, 4 September (Fair Day) 10am-8:30pm

Saturday, 5 September (Fair Day) 10am-6:30pm

Sunday, 6 September (Fair Day and Bump-Out) 10am-6:30pm

Please notify us should your availability change.

(Assistance is required from the beginning to the end of each session. We would prefer you to be available for these sessions but if you are only able to assist for part of a session please write the times you are available next to the date).

Any other comments in relation to your availability?

Area of Interest(Required)

You may be rostered for any of the below areas. However, we like to know if you have any specific areas of interest. Please tick as many options that apply:

Program (invigilation of Installation artworks, assistance for the Performance or Talks program)

Operations (bump in/out assistance, event installation)

Marketing (ticket office, ticket scanners, VIP services, ushering)

Education (involvement with Kid Contemporary Program, or Tours) must have Working with Children Check))

All roles will be allocated on the day of your shift and we endeavour to take your preferences into account.

About You

Have you attended or volunteered for Sydney Contemporary before / How did you hear about the us?(Required)

Why would you like to volunteer for Sydney Contemporary?(Required)

Please provide brief indications of anything that might be relevant for us to get to know you. For instance:

Are you a student, work in the arts, a member of a society or affiliated with any industry body?

If so, Please identify your institution, degree and focus area if applicable or the specifics of your experience.

Upload your CV (up to date)(Required)

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 3 MB.

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Sydney Contemporary Volunteer Application 2026