Lincoln Center Volunteers

2026 Summer Volunteer Program

Program Overview
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts invites you to be part of something truly special this summer! Summer for the City is our annual festival that transforms our campus into a vibrant gathering space filled with music, dance, art, and cultural celebration. We are currently looking for 20 volunteers to play a vital role in ensuring that all guests feel welcomed, valued, and inspired throughout the season.

Why Volunteer?
Summer for the City is built around the idea of community, bringing people together through shared experiences. As a volunteer, you’ll be an essential part of that mission, helping create an inclusive and inviting atmospheres for all who visit. Whether you’re passionate about the arts, looking to engage with your community, or eager to develop new skills, this is an incredible opportunity to contribute to one of New York City's most dynamic cultural events.

What You’ll Do
Volunteers serve as the first point of contact for our guests, helping to create the warm and welcoming environment that Lincoln Center is known for. Responsibilities include:

• Greet guests in a warm and friendly manner at a variety of indoor and outdoor Summer for the City events
• Provide a welcoming, reliable, and informed presence about Lincoln Center programming
• Assist with general line wayfinding and information, including providing information on campus accessibility initiatives
• Share information on Lincoln Center facilities and events across campus
• Communicate with Guest Experience, Programming, Security, Campus Relations, and Event Services staff

What You’ll Gain

• First-hand experience in event operations and guest engagement
• Networking opportunities with fellow volunteers and Lincoln Center staff
• A behind-the-scenes look at one of New York City's most exciting summer events 

You'll be a fit if you bring:

• Fun, friendly, outgoing, and enthusiastic to connect and share information with our guests and excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Open to supporting any performance, indoors or outdoors (the show goes on rain or shine—expect some very warm shifts outdoors!)
• Skilled in teamwork and collaborating with many different groups of people while always putting our guests first
• Multilingual a plus for communicating with our guests
• Enthusiasm for the arts, Lincoln Center’s programming, and cultural organizations throughout New York City and beyond
• Comfortability with technology included but not limited to email communication and using an online scheduling platform

Volunteer Orientation and Training
Before you start, we will have you attend the following (mandatory*) training sessions:

Volunteer Shift Requirements
Volunteers will be provided with a tentative calendar of events for the entire summer at the time of the interview.

Scheduling

• Volunteers will be asked to sign up for the events they wish to volunteer for every other week for the next two weeks via an online platform
• Shifts are first come, first serve, with a two shift a week maximum at the start of each cycle (volunteers often are welcome to pick up additional shifts in a week as space allows)

Shift Details
Most shifts are 4-5 hours long, beginning an hour or an hour and a half before event start time and ending just after the performance begins OR at the end of the performance for high traffic event days.

• You’ll often be able to watch the performances while still being available to answer guests' questions!
• There is no guarantee volunteers will be assigned the requested shifts; however, adjustments may be made to accommodate the wishes of the volunteers where possible and/or the program
• Shifts mainly take place outdoors, so please consider the ever-changing New York City summer weather!

Attendance Requirement

• To create a consistent guest experience, volunteers will be required to pick up at least 4 shifts in June, 6 shifts in July and 2 shifts in August.

How to Apply
Please complete the Volunteer application on our Recruitment page: Apply to Volunteer »

Guest Experience will be reviewing applications and resumes to bring a group of prospective volunteers in for in-person interviews. If you were a Lincoln Center Volunteer prior to Summer 2025, please note this in your application. We look forward to seeing many familiar faces and meeting new prospective volunteers!

For more information, please email our Guest Experience team at [email protected].