Call for Volunteers

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SideBurn is looking for passionate, organized, and enthusiastic volunteers to help make this year’s event a success!

We currently have various key roles open: HQ Co-Lead, Art Truck Coordinator, and Temple/Effigy Crew. Whether you’re great at keeping things running smoothly on-site or coordinating logistics behind the scenes, we’d love to have you on board. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to learn and be part of an amazing team. Check out the details below and email us at volunteer@sideburn.ca if you’re interested!

HQ Co-Lead

We are looking for a dedicated person to be an HQ Co-Lead. HQ is the spot where people buy ice, sign in for their volunteer shifts, and get information about the event. Your role will involve facilitating HQ staff shift change over several times a day (rotating with your 2 other co-leads). We’re seeking someone who is friendly, willing to learn (no expertise needed–this is my first time too!), organized and punctual.

Email Rebecca, at volunteer@sideburn.ca for more info.

Art Truck Coordinator

The art truck coordinator is responsible for arranging the transport of art projects to and from the event. While the coordinator is not expected to supervise all loads/unloads in person, they should provide oversight and act as a main contact for a lead at each pickup/dropoff site. While most coordination can be done via email, some communication using Discord is expected. We can show you how to use it if you don’t have an account yet!

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with the Art lead, you will:

  • Coordinate with artists for transport
  • Arrange rental of trucks or cargo vans from Toronto, Montreal, and potentially Ottawa
  • Oversee artwork transport, including:
    • Artwork drop off & loading trucks
    • Unloading trucks on-site at SideBurn
    • Loading trucks on Exodus day
    • Unloading trucks in cities/artwork pickup
  • Communicate with art truck drivers
  • Track all art truck expenses for reimbursements
  • Ideally, but not required: Be present at SideBurn during early arrival (Tuesday & Wednesday).

Email Rebecca, at volunteer@sideburn.ca for more info.

Join the Temple & Effigy Crew!

Are you ready to be part of something unforgettable? Our Temple and Effigy Teams are looking for dedicated volunteers to help bring these iconic structures to life.

Effigy Team – Contact Karl at karl@sideburn.ca

  • Pre-build in Port Perry, ON
  • On-site build at SideBurn
  • Fire Keepers (post-burn fire monitoring & raking)

Temple Team – Contact Sky at skyeceulusoy@gmail.com

  • Pre-build in Toronto, ON
  • On-site build at SideBurn
  • Fire Keepers (post-burn fire monitoring & raking)
Photo credit: Header image by Captured by Caro, used with permission.
Land Acknowledgement
We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.