Volunteer FAQ

NOTE: For the purposes of SXSW, the abbreviation "ACC" stands for "Austin Convention Center" and NOT "Austin Community College."

Is there a minimum age requirement to volunteer?

Conference volunteers must be at least age 16 in order to volunteer. Music Production volunteers, with very few exceptions, must be age 21 or older.

If I volunteer, do I get to go see shows for free?

Our volunteers are expected to put in a lot of time during the event, and yes, in exchange for a certain number of hours, volunteers may earn a Film Pass, Music Festival wristband, or conference badge.

However, the volunteer commitment must be your top priority, and so you will not be able to change your schedule in order to see a show. A hangover is not an excuse to miss a shift, and we don't take kindly to no-shows. Volunteering for SXSW involves a substantial commitment, so your participation in the events must be flexible.

The minimum amount of time volunteers must work (in order to earn any festival passes) is either 40 hours on Conference crews, or 3 nights on a Music Production crew.

If you're the type who wants to see it all and do it all during SXSWeek, we strongly recommend that you buy a badge.

Any volunteer work prior to the event is minimal, and reserved for returning volunteers only. Music Production volunteers are not eligible for pre-event hours. Conference volunteers must work at least half of their hours during the event itself.

How can I apply to volunteer?

There are two steps to the application process:

1) Enter your application information through our online database (available in November),
2) Attend the Volunteer Call on Sunday, January 22, at the Hilton Hotel Downtown. New volunteers should plan to spend at least an hour at the call, between 2:30 and 5:30pm. Returning volunteers may also attend the call between 12:30 and 2:30pm.

ALL volunteers - new or returning - MUST attend the Volunteer Call in order to complete the application process.

? New applicants should create a profile in our Volunteer Database. Once you create a profile, you can log in and print out a Confirmation and Volunteer Agreement. Please print and sign the agreement form, and bring it with you to the Volunteer Call.

? Returning volunteers will already have a record in the online database, and should NOT create a new record. Simply log in to the online database to update your information.

If you lost or forgot your username and password, please contact a Volunteer Coordinator.

All prospective volunteers MUST attend the Volunteer Call. Volunteers are responsible for all information and paperwork we distribute during the Volunteer Call. Anyone who is unable to attend must contact a Volunteer Coordinator and arrange to come by the SXSW offices by February 10.

During the Volunteer Call, you will watch a brief video explaining the volunteer system. Then you will have the opportunity to meet with the various crew chiefs, and sign up for shifts. We will also take your photo for our database. We need to have the photo if you are to get a perk, so look pretty.

What is the difference between a Conference volunteer and a Music Production volunteer?

Conference volunteers work on one or more of approximately 40 different Conference crews operating throughout the event. Conference volunteers may accumulate hours between 2 or 3 crews to earn a perk of their choice.

Music Production volunteers work during the Music Festival, either on one of our stage crews or on the Special Venues crew.

Stage crews work in the Music Festival venues for 3-5 consecutive nights, helping with load-ins, load-outs, and with communications between artists, SXSW staff, and venue staff. The Special Venues crew works at the Town Lake Stage at Auditorium Shores, and at various other venues throughout the festival, as needed.

Music Production volunteers are issued either a Music or a Platinum conference badge, depending on the number of days or nights worked. Because Music Production volunteers must have a badge in order to enter the Music venues, they are not eligible to earn Film or Interactive perks.

I'm a returning volunteer - do I need to go to the Volunteer Call?

YES. All volunteers are responsible for having all the information we distribute at the Volunteer Call. If you are unable to attend the call, you must contact a Volunteer Coordinator and arrange to come by the SXSW offices by February 10, in order to complete your application.

What do volunteers do?

Everything! Volunteer crews check in the registrants, they hang the banners, place the signs, pass out the tote bags, work on stage crews... Read the crew descriptions to see what the various crews do.

I don't care about earning a badge - can I just volunteer for a few shifts?

We require all volunteers to work a minimum of 30 hours.

The size and scope of the event requires hundreds of volunteers and appropriate training for all involved. The crews run much more smoothly when the volunteers have been oriented in advance, so to ensure continuity, we must ask all volunteers to commit to a significant amount of time.

What is Bag Stuffing?

Each SXSW registrant is issued a tote bag filled with promotional material and swag, and it's our job to fill those bags. Think of it as a pre-SXSW mixer for volunteers. Bag Stuffing itself only lasts a few hours, but Conference volunteers will receive 6 hours credit for attending. Music Production volunteers meet with their stage managers at the end of Bag Stuffing.

Bag Stuffing is MANDATORY for all SXSW volunteers. It will take place on Thursday, March 9, from 6:00-10:00pm in the Austin Convention Center.

Do I have to go to Bag Stuffing?

YES. Bag Stuffing is MANDATORY for ALL volunteers, Conference and Music Production.

I work 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. How will I be able to schedule 40-50 volunteer hours in 10 days?

It sounds a lot harder than it is. Conference volunteers receive 6 hours credit for the Bag Stuffing, and many crews give a few hours credit for pre-event meetings. If you work a regular 9-5 job, you can still sign up for evening shifts on crews like Registration, Transportation, Promotional Materials, Information and Holding Pool.

What good is having the badge if I'm going to be working the whole time?

If you want to volunteer for SXSW, you need to know that you will not get to see everything that you want. Your priority will be working for the festival - not attending it.

Can I work on both a Conference crew AND a Music Production crew?

Nope. Sorry.

Can I work all of my volunteer hours prior to the event?

NO. We simply don't have enough work for you to do. We need volunteers the most during the event itself. Conference volunteers will have some opportunities for pre-event work, but we ask that you work at least half of your hours during the event.

I don't live in Austin. Can I still volunteer?

We accept a limited number of out-of-town volunteers. Contact Tammy Bolton for details.