How to join the Committee or Volunteer

How to make the Art Show happen

The Mount Eliza Art & Design Show is a fundraising activity for the Mount Eliza North Primary School. Profits raised are put towards improving school facilities to enhance the educational future of our students.

The Art Show is coordinated by the MENPS's Parents & Friends Association (PFA), which creates a dedicated Art Show Committee to organise and manage all of the Art Show's activities. The Art Show Committee reports to the MENPS Principal, MENPS Assistant Principal & the MENPS Business Manager.

The success of the Art Show relies on MENPS parents volunteering their time and skills to make the Art Show happen.

Watch the below video "About the Art Show" to see what it's all about.

Can't see the video, watch it here instead.

Load video: About the Mount Eliza Art & Design Show

Load video: Become a committee member or volunteer

Committee Positions

The Committee is formed in May each year and meets monthly/fortnightly to ensure the smooth sailing of the Art Show. The last meeting is held in November to celebrate the success of the Art Show.

Being a Committee member can be a large commitment, but it is also very rewarding to see your efforts come to fruition in October when everyone ooohs and aaahs about all the amazing items you have put on display. Also knowing that you helped to raise significant funds for MENPS, makes the role even sweeter.

Usually there is a mixture of reoccurring committee members and new members. While it does make the position easier if you have a background or a passion within the area, the Committee encourages and supports anyone to join. Departing Committee members are more than happy to provide a handover to the new members, and much of the previous years data/contacts/processes can be used to jump start the new years search for artists/makers/sponsors.

To show appreciation, each Committee member from all PFA activities receives a 10% off voucher to use at the Art Show, while also receiving a "Letter of Thanks" from the school Principal during a Citizenship assembly in November.

Watch the video above to find out more about being a Committee Member or Volunteering. Can't see the video, watch it here instead.

Contact us now to find out about joining the Committee!

ART SHOW LEAD
About: This role leads and supports the whole committee, ensures all tasks are completed and is the touch-point between the committee and the School.
Experience: Ideally you have been part of the committee previously, a desire to lead the team and the direction of the art show.
Effort: This role requires significant input (2-6hrs a week) from May to November.
Current: Jen Brown
Past: Rebecca McIntyre, Deb Sparks, Paula Mogg
GALLERY LEADS
About: Search for and invite amazing professional artists and sculptures from Victoria to exhibit at the Art Show. Correspond with artists, set up the Gallery, partner with other Committee Leads to create a fabulous Art Show!
Experience: A love for all things art.
Effort: This role requires intermediate input (1-4hrs a week) from May to November.
Current: Amber Pyke & Beth Klein
Past: Rebecca McIntyre, Deb Sparks, Clare Morris, Sophie Gimel
SHOP LEADS
About: Search for and invite amazing professional makers and designers from Victoria to exhibit at the Art Show. Correspond with makers, set up the Shop, partner with other Committee Leads to create a fabulous Art Show!
Experience: A love for all things design.
Effort: This role requires an intermediate input (1-4hrs a week) from May to November.
Current: Lisa Taranto & Megan Snowden
Past: Narelle Russo, Jen Brown, Amanda Mannion
CAFE LEADS
About: Create the delicious menu for the Art Show Cafe, whip up some delicious food, serve coffee and wine, support the Grade 6 helpers. Partner with other Committee Leads to create a fabulous Art Show!
Experience: A love for all things food.
Effort: This role requires an intermediate input (1-4hrs a week) from May to November.
Current: WE NEED YOU!
Past: Amanda McKernan, Hannah Simpson
OPENING NIGHT
About: Organise the amazing Opening Night for 350 guests - pick the food, wine and theme!
Experience: A passion for organising events.
Effort: Low from May - Sept (1-2hrs a week), October is heavier (2-4hrs a week) as you organise the final touches for the event.
Current: Steph Francis
Past: Bianca Johnston
SPONSORSHIP/AUCTION/RAFFLE
About: Contact past, and new, Sponsors, Live & Silent Auction donors and Rafflers.
Experience: None.
Effort: Low from May - Sept (1-2hrs a week), October is heavier (2-4hrs a week) as you organise the final touches for the event.
Current: WE NEED YOU!
Past: Emma Harvey, Nicole Haddon, Sarah McMillan
MARKETING & WEBSITE
About: Posting social media, submitting to magazines, creating the Art Show website, uploading artworks for sale.
Experience: A passion for marketing and websites.
Effort: Low from May - Sept (1-2hrs a week), October is heavier (2-4hrs a week).
Current: Holiday & Ricky Li, Matt Purvis
Past: Sue Whitlam, Tara Vandeligt, Jen Brown, Clare Morris
STUDENT PARTICIPATION
About:
- MENPS Students can enter the Student Photography competition.
- Grade 6 Students may set up a market stand to sell items them have made.
- Grade 6 Students volunteer within the Cafe.
Current: Grade 6 Teachers & MENPS Art Teacher
Also: Grade 6 Parent Coordinators

Volunteer Positions

There are plenty of smaller positions that we need filled to make the Art Show come to life!

These positions are mostly undertaken the week leading up to the Art Show, or over the Art Show weekend. They are perfect for people who want to help out, but can't dedicate on-going support that's required within the Committee. Most of these positions do not require any specific skills and you will be simply shown how to do them on the day. You are welcome to help out just for a couple of hours, or for the full day - bring a friend so that you can volunteer together!

To show appreciation, each Volunteer from all PFA activities receives a $10 voucher to use at the Art Show, while also receiving a "Letter of Thanks" from the school Principal during a Citizenship assembly in November.

Contact us now to find out about Volunteering!

KIDS ART PLAY
About: Organise and run the fun kids activity corner!
Experience: A desire to be creative with kids. We will support you in this role.
Effort: 1-2hrs each week a month before the Art Show.
Volunteers: 1 or 2 people to lead the role, and 2-8 people over the weekend to help out.
EXHIBITION MOVE IN/OUT
About: Help set up the display boards, carpet & plinths for the gallery & shop.
Experience: The ability to lift/move heavy items.
Effort: A few hours to a whole day, from the weekend/week prior to the event, and after the event.
Volunteers: About 10 people.
GALLERY & SHOP CURATION
About: Help to hang and display artwork in the gallery, and layout products in the shop to look beautiful.
Experience: An eye for design.
Effort: A few hours to a whole day, from the weekend/week prior to the event.
Volunteers: 2-4 people.
FRONT DOOR
About: Welcome visitors, check opening night tickets, take payment for entry.
Experience: None - we'll show you what needs to be done.
Effort: A few hours to a whole day, Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
Volunteers: 2-4 people each day.
GALLERY & SHOP SALES
About: Wander the gallery or shop to support buyers, and process sales.
Experience: None - we'll show you what needs to be done.
Effort: A few hours to a whole day, Opening Night, Saturday & Sunday
Volunteers: 5+ people each day.
CAFE STAFF
About: Help in the cafe prepping food, making coffee, taking orders, supporting Grade 6 servers.
Experience: No experience, to hospitality background.
Effort: A few hours to a whole day Saturday & Sunday
Volunteers: 20+ people each day (if a Grade 6 student participates, a parent must join them).
PHOTOGRAPHER
About: Take photos during Opening Night and over the weekend.
Experience: Able to take great photos.
Effort: A few hours during Opening Night, a few hours over the weekend
Volunteers: 1-3 people, but the more the merrier!
TINY TASKS
About: There are many other tasks to be done, so if a position doesn't grab you, or you want to help in another way, please reach out!
Experience: A desire to help!
Effort: A few hours or whatever you can provide.
Volunteers: Anyone and Everyone!