Are you looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities?
At ArtStream, we’re searching for dedicated, positive role models who are interested in supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. No prior experience is required, we only ask that you are interested in working with individuals with disabilities or the arts. Theater experience is a plus!
Mentors help provide support and encouragement to our actors during rehearsals and on-stage in our theatre companies and cabarets. We have locations in both Virginia and Maryland.
Mentors May Find Themselves:
- Doing improv scenes with actors
- Leading actors through a song, dance, or activity
- Learning lines with multiple actors
- Learning choreography with actors
- Role Modeling
- Talking to an actor who may be upset at the beginning of class
- Buddying up with someone who needs extra support
- Letting a teaching artist know about any concerning behavior
Why?
We believe that through collaborative performance and lifelong learning opportunities, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain the skills and confidence to engage with the world.
Get involved and make a difference! Check out our website to learn more: www.art-stream.org
What is the Time Commitment?
Orientation (2 hours total)
- Training videos & worksheets - 30 minutes
- Zoom training - 1.5 hours
Weekly rehearsals (2 hours each)
- 12 sessions - 2 hours per week - Cabarets
- 26 sessions - 2 hours per week - Theatre Companies
Tech week
- 4 hours each - 1 day for Cabarets
- 4 hours each - 5 days total for Theatre Companies
Performances
- ~1.5 hours - 1 performance for Cabaret
- ~3 hours each - 6 performances for theatre companies
How Do I Get Involved?
To apply to be a volunteer sign up here or on our website: art-stream.org/who-we-serve/volunteer
After applying we’ll schedule a time to chat with you to see what opportunity works best for your schedule. We do require volunteers to participate in a virtual training, submit a background check and review training materials.
"ArtStream gives people a sense of belonging in a beautiful way. There’s no way to overstate ArtStream’s impact. It’s a program of inclusion, of involvement in the community, and most importantly, of excitement and enthusiasm!" - ArtStream volunteer since 2018
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.
Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:
- A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.
- Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.
- Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.
- The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.
- Virtual sessions will not be recorded.
- Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.
- Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.
