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The Conversation: Arts Volunteerism


by Stephen Becker 8 Sep 2010 11:47 AM

Have you ever volunteered to work for a North Texas arts group? If so, what was the experience like? And what did you get out of it? Drop us a comment and let us know.
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A weekly question to prompt discussion about the arts.

Donor Bridge’s “Get Up and Give Day” has got us thinking about how we all can contribute to the arts. Making a financial donation is always welcome. But donating your time is also important. Have you ever volunteered to work for a North Texas arts group? If so, what was the experience like? And what did you get out of it? Drop us a comment and let us know.

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About Stephen Becker

Stephen Becker produces the shows Think and Anything You Ever Wanted to Know for KERA. As part of the Art&Seek team, Stephen produces radio and digital stories, along with the podcast "The Big Screen," with Chris Vognar, movie critic of The Dallas Morning News. View more about Stephen Becker.

COMMENTS

  • Having been a Voice Actor for years, it was not until volunteering at Reading and Radio Resource / North Texas Radio for the Blind that I realized the true extent of what a little time and one voice can do. While attending a workshop at RRR they posted a notice that a substitute was needed to temporarily fill in for the gentleman who read THE ECONOMIST (the conservative British news magazine) on the air for NTRB. It started there, then just kind of snowballed. When he came back after tax season the READER’S DIGEST slot opened up. After a year, being in the right place at the right time, I was granted the honor of also taking over as host for TIME FOR THE ARTS at 6PM on Friday nights at NTRB. They generously allowed the latitude to expand the previous, strictly reading format, to now include interviews and reviews. The first broadcast with the facelift was in July and included an interview with Emanuel Borok the retiring Concert Master for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra which he so graciously granted. The opportunity to meet this Violin Virtuoso just wasn’t possible before volunteering opened the door. It was kind of a sign. Mr. Borok was retiring after almost 30 years. And now, after 30 years, I am actually using my degree by sharing my love for the arts with our listeners once a week. It’s the best “job” and the most fun I have had in years!