PUNQ Volunteers
Be part of PUNQ Festival from the inside.
The PUNQ Volunteer & Emerging Producer Program is a six-week professional development opportunity combining training, networking, artist engagement and hands-on festival experience. Designed for emerging arts workers, artists, students and anyone interested in event production, the program offers practical skills alongside valuable industry connections.
Throughout the program you'll take part in weekly workshops and Meet the Artist sessions, building skills in festival production, exhibition installation, front-of-house, ticketing, audience engagement and event operations. You'll meet the artists presenting at this year's festival and gain insight into the creative and logistical processes that bring a site specific, contemporary arts festival to life.
Facilitated by Melania JACK, the program draws on over a decade of experience producing contemporary arts projects, creating practical opportunities for emerging creatives to build skills, confidence and industry connections.
Whether you're looking to gain experience in the arts, develop new skills, meet like-minded people or explore a career in festivals and events, the PUNQ Volunteer & Emerging Producer Program is an opportunity to learn, contribute and become part of a vibrant creative community.
Minimum Commitment:
- Attend a minimum of 4 of 6 workshops during Aug/Sept/Oct
- Commit to a minimum of 4 festival shifts during Sept/Oct
- Attend 1 install or deinstall shift as a support to artist or team
- Attend volunteer briefings and fill out the volunteer participation survey
Applications close: 10am Monday 10 August 2026
Program starts the week beginning: 17 August 2026
For more information email Jack [email protected]
PUNQ is produced by Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts and presented in partnership with the North Australian Festival of Arts. The festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and receives funding from Creative Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund. Townsville City Council is a funding partner of PUNQ.
Apply to PUNQ Volunteer & Emerging Producer Program
Open Hours
Tues - Fri: 9am-5pm
Sat - Sun: 9am-1pm
Gallery closed Mondays, public holidays and during exhibition install weeks.
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Contact
408 Flinders Street,
Gurambilbarra / Townsville,
Qld, 4810 Australia
PO Box 2394,
Gurambilbarra / Townsville,
Qld, 4810 Australia
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Acknowledgement of Country
Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts respectfully acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun and the surrounding groups of our region - Bindal, Gugu Badhun, Nywaigi, Warrgamay, Bandjin and Gudjal - as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, share and celebrate local creative practice. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first people of Australia. They have never ceded sovereignty and remain strong in their enduring connection to land and Culture.
Umbrella is a Member & Signatory of the Indigenous Art Code. This means we are committed to fair and ethical trade with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and transparency in the promotion and sale of artwork. As a Dealer Member and signatory to the Code we must act fairly, honestly, professionally and in good conscience in all direct or indirect dealings with artists.
Help Us Elevate Regional Artists
We champion artists, amplifying their distinctive and authentic voices. We are an inclusive platform for independent, experimental, contemporary arts practice in local, national, and international arts landscapes. We have a 39 year history of connecting artists and audiences and we couldn't do it without your support.
Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts is registered as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) with the Australian Taxation Office. Donations to Umbrella are tax deductible for amounts of $2 or more. Click here to donate.
Acknowledgements
Umbrella is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Education, and the Visual Art, Craft and Design Framework, an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments. | Umbrella is supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and receives funding from Creative Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund. | Townsville City Council is a funding partner of Umbrella's program. | Vetta Creative is Umbrella's fortieth anniversary creative partner.
