Position Code #: VOL2
COMMUNITY FESTIVAL AND THEATRE VOLUNTEER

Location: Lower North Shore, Québec

Duration: 3-4 weeks during summer 2008

Description:

This volunteer position involves helping to implement CoastFest 2008, a new festival that will take place during summer 2008 on the remote Quebec Lower North Shore. In the first year of its inception, this festival was inspired by the Quebec City 400^th anniversary this year. The main theme is “Following in the footsteps of the explorers”. The event is being organized by local non-profits and volunteers as a way to promote sustainable development, heritage interpretation and small-scale tourism development in the region. The Quebec Lower North Shore once depended on various fisheries which have closed due to depletion of the stocks. Creative, community-based initiatives could help rebuild the local economy and social structure. Please see www.coastfest2008.ca for more details.

CoastFest 2008 is being designed and implemented by volunteers in various tiny villages along a 400-km stretch of coastline, many of which are not connected by road. Events will be concentrated for one week in each location, starting with the eastern-most villages and moving west, from late June until mid-August. In order to support village initiatives, a small team of young, talented and artistic people (2-3 individuals) will be hired to form a “Traveling Show”. The group will spend one week in each community working directly with local volunteers to assist them with their week’s events. These events will include historic re-enactments, skits, exhibits, village festivals, art shows, conferences, etc. In certain communities, the Traveling Show will develop a program for youth involvement in the creation of heritage events.

We are looking for a creative, flexible, and adventurous volunteer to join our team. While supervised onsite by university-aged employees, your duties would be to:

· Assist with the organizing and planning of CoastFest 2008

· Live onsite in various different communities and assist them with the defining and implementing of community events that are part of the festival

· Work with young people in the community to involve them in the celebration of their heritage

· Coordinate and act in short skits and reenactments with historic themes

· Create and circulate historic displays and exhibits

This is an excellent opportunity for a young person with an interest in theatre, visual arts, history, recreation or related fields, and wishing to explore their potential in relation to sustainable community development. It will provide experience in the practical aspects of heritage and the arts and their application to community-based initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, be exceptionally resourceful, adaptable and mature, work well with people of all ages, both in a team and independently. Ideally, the volunteer should speak both French and English.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Volunteers must cover their own travel and lodging expenses.