Check out the descriptions below and see what crew might be a good fit for you. Crews are separated by their volunteer type to help with navigating the sign up process.
CONFERENCE & PROGRAMMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Operates: March 2-17, 2024
Age: 18+, unless participating with a SXSW approved high school program.
Available Badges: SXSW EDU Badge or/and Volunteer Interactive, Film & TV, Music, or Platinum Badge
Accessibility Crew
Inclusivity is key when you join the Accessibility Crew. Volunteers will staff the Accessibility Desks in the Austin Convention Center to provide a variety of information to people with disabilities. This crew also assists with deploying closed captioning equipment, ADA registration, and occasionally monitors Sensory Rooms. An understanding of the Americans With Disability Act (ADA) is important when choosing this crew.
Ambassadors Crew
SXSW welcomes participants from around the globe! Ambassadors provide an array of information to attendees. Volunteers may find themselves helping at an Info Desk or checking credentials throughout the Austin Convention Center. If you enjoy seeing the action around the conference, showing your Texas hospitality, and being helpful…you might just love the Ambassadors Crew!
Banners Crew
This crew has a reputation for really hanging around and using zip ties like a boss! The Banners Crew can be found toting and hanging banners throughout official SXSW venues. This crew is best if you have good stamina, balance, and the ability to carry 30+ lbs.
Catering Crew
Calling all foodies! This crew is going to give you the perks that keep you full. Volunteers will help manage the staff and volunteer catering area, interact with vendors, help with maintaining the cleanliness of the space, and keeping the area fun for those who visit.
This crew greets all the wonderful people (like you!) that make SXSW rock. Some heavy lifting may be involved.
Comedy Crew
This crew is no laughing matter…or is it? Volunteers will admit attendees into comedy venues, assist with line management, usher attendees to seats, and help clear the venue after performances during the SXSW Comedy Festival. Before SXSW, this crew will help their friends “usher” in SXSW EDU films.
Conference Tech Crew
Looking for a gig that caters to your inner geek? Join “ConTech” to assist with the technical set up of sessions, including connecting laptops to projectors, setting microphone audio levels, and general troubleshooting. A smile and a polite greeting are a big part of this crew and technical experience is not required.
Event Support Crew
The name says it all! Volunteers will assist with various SXSW produced events throughout SXSW EDU and SXSW. Volunteers may find themselves helping with basic set up or breakdown, checking credentials, wayfinding, or line management.
Event Transportation Crew
Volunteers will pick up and deliver people and things using multiple modes of transportation. You never know who or what might hop in for a lift! Most transportation runs use vans or golf carts, and occasionally travel on foot. Volunteers must be 21+ with a clean driving record to drive. Some 18+, non-driving positions are available.
Exhibitions Crew
Want to be one of the first to see all the cool exhibits at SXSW and SXSW EDU? Volunteers on the Exhibitions Crew will help direct exhibitors during the load in/out process of the many exhibitions. Additional tasks include checking credentials at entrances, helping to connect exhibitors with SXSW staff, and assisting with signing up attendees for any SXSW produced exhibits.
Film & TV Venue Crew
A true favorite of film and TV fanatics, volunteers on this crew help support the SXSW Film & TV Festival. Volunteers will admit attendees into film theaters, assist with line management, usher attendees to seats, and help clear the theater. Catch a glimpse of your favorite actors and actresses while being a part of this globally recognized festival!
Line Management Crew
If you’re looking for a crew that is “straight forward,” look no further. Volunteers will navigate the event footprint in teams and assist with organizing lines at official venues and events. Customer service is an integral part of this crew, as well as a willingness to communicate using your outdoor voice with attendees. This role requires long periods of standing or walking. This crew has been in operation since the first SXSW and is quite popular. You’ll want to be sure you don’t miss your place in line by waiting to sign up!
Registration Crew
Everyone needs a badge or wristband to attend SXSW and SXSW EDU, which means this is a prime place to see all the new and familiar faces attending, performing, or participating during the event! Volunteers will confirm and distribute credentials to attendees and assist with distributing and replenishing event bags. Volunteers may help with replacing printed materials in the Registration area and throughout the Austin Convention Center. Customer service is key, and so is volunteering with the Registration Crew!
Sessions Crew
If your customer service skills are on point and you like supporting some of the hottest speakers in Texas, check out the Sessions Crew. Volunteers interact with speakers and attendees to ensure conference spaces run smoothly and on schedule. Volunteers will check badges, assist speakers and attendees, and provide support for sessions, lounges and green rooms. Some shifts will provide support with set up and breakdown, audience interactions, assistance with judging during competitions, as well as line management for various conference events. There is never a dull moment when you’re volunteering with Sessions!
Tech Setup
SXSW and SXSW EDU are all about using technology. Volunteers will assist with the setup and teardown of technical equipment in the Austin Convention Center before, during, and after the conference. This crew also helps to maintain, inventory, deploy, and collect hardware used throughout the events. Being a techie is not required. Onsite training will be provided by crew managers.
Don't have a lot of time, but want to be a part of the SXSW Volunteer experience?
Volunteers can sign up for 8 to 23 hours to help fill-in where additional support may be needed throughout SXSW and SXSW EDU. Volunteers will receive a SXSW Volunteer t-shirt and an invite to the SXSW Volunteer Appreciation Party in April.
Volunteers should create or update their online record and email Volunteer Headquarters (volunteer@sxsw.com). A member of the SXSW staff will contact you to assist with your volunteer assignment.
MUSIC FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Operates: March 11 - 16, 2024
Age: 18+, unless indicated otherwise in crew description
Available Badges: Volunteer Music or Platinum Badge
Artist Parking Operations Crew
Artist Parking Operations Volunteers can be found throughout the SXSW Music Festival footprint, greeting showcasing artists, directing them to park their vehicles in designated artist parking areas, and distributing "Artist Packets" with parking maps, parking passes, and general music festival information. Volunteers will monitor and ensure that the designated SXSW artist parking areas are not used by unpermitted vehicles and will help keep the roads accessible to emergency vehicles by ensuring the loading and unloading zones remain clear.
Day Stage Crew
Experience a range of music while assisting with the load in and out of showcasing artists and other support roles for both the International and Radio Day stages, located near the Austin Convention Center. Some heavy lifting may be required.
Music Stage CrewHear the next big act, see amazing performances, and feel the energy that is the SXSW Music Festival. Volunteers may assist in a variety of roles, including helping artists with their gear, supporting SXSW Stage Managers and staff, and maintaining awareness for potential safety and operational issues in the venue. Volunteers will be assigned to a zone of 5-7 venues, which may provide a venue change throughout the festival and a chance to experience multiple venues and music genres. If this strikes the right note with you, this is the crew for you.
Some heavy lifting may be required (up to 50lbs), as well as the possibility of standing for long periods of time. Volunteers must be 21+. This crew will have an in-person venue walkthrough in addition to a training meeting.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Operates: November - March
Age: 21+
Available Badges: SXSW EDU Badge + SXSW Platinum Badge
If interested in a leadership position, email
Volunteer Headquarters or fill out the
Volunteer Manager Interest Form.
Crew ManagerCrew managers are volunteer leaders who dedicate a lot of time to ensuring the volunteer experience is unforgettable in the best way. They collaborate and plan with SXSW Staff for several months prior to the event and wrap up shortly after the SXSW concludes. Duties include assisting with recruiting, scheduling, training, and managing a volunteer crew. Crew managers carry a special level of recognition among the volunteer crews and are role models to the volunteers they lead.
This role involves a series of meetings to prepare for the event, so pre-event availability is required. Local volunteers are preferred due to pre-event time requirements.
Stage ManagerSXSW Stage Managers are volunteers with a desire to lead, while supporting SXSW Music Festival showcasing artists. Stage Managers volunteer before and throughout the SXSW Music Festival to ensure artists have everything they need for a successful showcase. During the Music Festival they are responsible for a stage and its volunteer stage crew, making sure that bands load in, start and stop their sets on time, and manage any issues that may arise.
This role involves a series training and showcase advancement coordination, so pre-event availability is required.
Local volunteers are preferred due to pre-event time requirements. Some heavy lifting may be required (up to 50lbs), as well as the possibility of standing for long periods of time.
Theater ManagerTheater Managers act as liaisons between SXSW Staff, production, theaters, filmmakers, publicists, alumni, and attendees at SXSW Film & TV Festival venues. Theater Managers help ensure films are screened as scheduled, while overseeing Film & TV Venue Crew Volunteers.
This is a great role for anyone looking to learn more about theater or festival operations. Theater Managers must commit to pre-event availability for a series of trainings.
