Young Adult Summer Volunteer Cohort

ACT provides a high-quality summer experience for accepted participants to:

Meet other young adults in the area in social settings who are also passionate about volunteerism.

Experience on the job training and grow professional skills, such as organization and collaboration.

Build community through art within the cohort, our participants, and with the larger art community.

Gain insight into non-profit program management – specifically inclusive programming as all volunteers will work with a wide audience of diverse abilities on their shifts.

Artists Creating Together’s (ACT) Young Adult Summer Volunteer Cohort is a program built to support those aged 16-22 in giving back to their greater Grand Rapids community and gaining valuable volunteer experience.

About The Program

You are a young adult aged 16-22 living, working, and/or attending school in West Michigan.

You have reliable transportation or a transportation plan that lets you arrive punctually to both the ACT studio and off-site locations in the West Michigan area for volunteer shifts. ACT is unable to provide transportation.

You have access to an email account where you can receive and monitor email communications regarding volunteer shifts and cohort information.

You believe that the arts are a fundamental tool in helping all people reach their potential. You are passionate about inclusion and ensuring those with disabilities have access to the arts.
You are hard-working, organized, take initiative, and work well with others in a team setting.

You are available to attend the mandatory Orientation on Saturday, April 18, 2026 (2-4pm).

Who You Are:

Q: Do I need to attend both information sessions?

A: Nope! Attendance at any information session is optional. Both information sessions will have the same content, so you can pick the one that works best for your schedule if you choose to attend one.

Q: Will I only be able to sign up for 10 volunteer hours this summer?

A: No! Ten hours is the minimum to participate in this program, but there will be more than 10 hours worth of opportunities to volunteer. You are welcome to sign up for as many as you like. In recent summers we have been able to offer over 350 hours of volunteer opportunities. Most of these opportunities were divided between 20 big events out in the community with 2-4 hour shifts, evening classes at the studio, and summer camp programs during the day. We need lots of volunteers for them all!

Q: Is there a fee to participate?

A: No!

Q: What days and times does ACT offer volunteer hours?

A: It varies! ACT events take place during the day, the evening, and on weekends. You will have lots of opportunities to plan your volunteer shifts around your other summer commitments.

Q: Why is the orientation mandatory?

A: We want everyone in the cohort at the orientation so ACT staff can meet you and you can meet each other. Then when you show up to volunteer shifts, you’ll know a few folks. Plus we’ll be going over important training information, safety guidelines, and expectations so you feel prepared for your shifts. And of course, there’ll be opportunities to make art!

Q: Is the End of Summer Celebration mandatory?

A: No! But we hope you’ll join us for pizza and the opportunity to celebrate all you’ve done over the summer.

FAQs

Apply Online

Application includes:

General information questions
Consent and liability signatures
Two short answer questions regarding your interest in the program
How many hours you’d like to volunteer this summer
Agreement that you have read and can commit to the program requirements

Your application will then be reviewed by the Program team and Executive Director.

How to Apply

Submit a Young Adult Summer Volunteer Cohort application by Thursday, March 31, 2026 at midnight.

Download Application Form

Program Requirements

Attendance at the mandatory April Orientation.

Sign up for and complete volunteer shifts for at least 4 events during the summer, to total a minimum of 10 volunteer hours (in addition to the time at the April Orientation) from the months of April-August.

Follow the Young Adult Summer Volunteer Cohort Code of Conduct.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants:

Will be given a certification of completion that lists and verifies their completed number of service hours.

Can list the program on their resume and college/job applications.

Can apply for a future internship with ACT and receive school credit with participating universities/colleges (Note: you do not need to participate in the Summer Cohort program to be eligible for or to apply for an internship with ACT).