Volunteers

Volunteer or Intern with Paint Out Art Festival

Volunteers at Paint OutPaint Out is once again calling for volunteers to be a part of its multi-day art festival in Norwich and Norfolk. We are so appreciative of the many volunteers, interns, art students and supporters of the arts that have assisted the artists and exhibition visitors in previous years and we’re hoping that students, community, art and event lovers will want to get involved again this year.

Options include coming out for full days on location with us to a few hours stint staffing the gallery of 100s of artworks to being part of the entertainment in the early evenings if you have musical talent! Several evenings we have socials on site or on location.

Some of our volunteers become interns and go from having food & expenses covered to earning a small stipend whilst simultaneously being taught about art, social media, photography, web design, video, technology, data, curation, marketing, e-commerce and sales. Plus being immersed in a world of a 100 artists and a 1000 paintings for 1-10 days. Commute, camp or couchsurf with other team members.

 

Intern at Paint Out

Volunteers are needed to help guide members of the public and assist the artists on location, as well as support and staff the exhibition. Volunteers who excel may be invited back as interns or staff in subsequent years. We are particularly looking for skills in social media, photography, sales, hospitality, spreadsheets, gallery & exhibition.

The 2023 event takes place from 13-22 July in Norwich, and availability need only be for a day or half-day or couple of hours within that period.

“It was a wild ride and I’m so glad I took part. This team is glorious!” (2022 volunteer)

Volunteering opportunities exist for morning, afternoon, evening, or full-days. There will be a welcome event, thank you gifts, and a chance to interact with the art and artists. We are also looking for hosts who can put up an artist or fellow volunteer in Norwich 12-23 July, for a small nightly fee.

Intern filming at Paint OutThe Social Media and CV website LinkedIn allows you to add Volunteering Experience to your online curriculum, job and career history, citing the fact that:

“1 in 5 managers hired someone because of their volunteer experience”

Paint Out offers an enjoyable opportunity to assist and observe the dozens of artists and hundreds of artworks being made during the competition.

“We aim to provide easy opportunities for people to gain experience with the arts. It’s a great way to be involved, have a great day out, and learn about the history of the arts in Norfolk.”

Members of the public, who are interested in volunteering and would like further information on how to be involved, you can join the volunteers Facebook group, contact the team or fill in the form below:

The event is based in Whitlingham Country Park, Trowse, NR14 8TR but on other days we can be around the county and will get you places if you don't have your own transport
Please type any additional offers, needs, questions here

Paint Out Gardens Series 2019

Paintings created at Paint Out Gardens 2019

Paint Out Gardens took place May to October in 2019 across 6 historic or hidden Norfolk gardens. 36 plein air artists painted the gardens through the seasons. Prizes were awarded by Charlotte Crawley – art historian, former curator and past Director of the East Anglia Art Fund, and by Tom Humphreys and Sophie Barrett of Fairhurst Gallery.

 

Sponsorship, Partnering & Support

Sponsorship & Partnering with Paint Out

Paint Out is put on and sustained by art-loving founders and team members – some paid, some volunteers, with the aim of supporting the growth of plein air art and engaging the public with a live art experience. To achieve and maintain this we are indebted to our partners and sponsors who have provided funds, prizes, or goods and services-in-kind. If you would like to partner or sponsor current and/or future ‘paint outs’ please contact us. You will get coverage on our 120,000+ views website and our 10,000 social media followers. 

You can download our sponsor and partner documents here:

Paint Out Brochure | Headline Sponsor | Prizes Sponsor | Web & Press Metrics
Download Paint Out BrochureDownload Paint Out Headline Partners Sponsorship docDownload Paint Out Prize Sponsors docDownload Paint Out Web, Press & Social Media Metrics doc

Paint Out 2019

In 2019, Paint Out is keen to renew and extend its sponsor agreements with businesses, arts sector, and other organisations looking to support creative and visual arts, education, and Norfolk and Suffolk heritage sites. Please download the above files and contact us if you are interested.

Cheffins Fine Art

Paint Out Cambridge welcomes the principal sponsor support and partnership with Cheffins Fine Art at our inaugural event in the county of Cambridgeshire.

Cass Art logo

Several Paint Out events in 2019 will also see art material sponsorship and prizes donated by Cass Art who have been very generous in the past to Paint Out events and artists.

Leathes Prior logoThe Paint Out Garden Series taking place at 6 locations across Norfolk is grateful for repeat sponsor Leathes Prior Solicitors.

 


Paint Out 2018

First Prize winning artist Robert Nelmes painting blacksmiths at Paint Out RNS17 under the Leathes Prior sponsor's umbrella
First Prize-winning artist Robert Nelmes painting at Paint Out RNS17 under the Leathes Prior sponsor’s umbrella

Paint Out 2018 was especially grateful for renewed sponsorship support from Leathes Prior SolicitorsRead their announcement here.

Paint Out continues to appreciate the support of The Point with some of our printing needs.

 

Paint Out Norwich, RNS, and Wells 2017

Paint Out Wells 2017 was sponsored for a third year by Hopkins Homes. Paint Out Norwich 2017 saw repeat sponsorship by Strutt & Parker, and Archant, the extension of Leathes Prior Solicitors support, and materials prizes supplied by Cass Art and Norwich Art Supplies. Paint Out also appreciates its other partners, supporters and suppliers including: The Albatros, Anteros Arts, Arnolds Keys AuctioneersArts RoundUp, Dandis Clothing, Hostry Festival, Hussey KnightsNorwich Cathedral, RNAA’s Royal Norfolk ShowService Point UKThe PointWells Congregational Hall, & Zesty Design.

Sponsors of Paint Out 2017 - Hopkins Homes, Strutt & Parker, Leathes Prior, Cass Art, Archant
Sponsors of Paint Out 2017 – Hopkins Homes, Strutt & Parker, Leathes Prior, Cass Art, Archant, as well as partners & suppliers

Paint Out at the Royal Norfolk Show 2017

Royal Norfolk Show logoIn 2017, Paint Out was invited to bring its live art experience painting event to the Royal Norfolk Show, 28-29 June. We were extremely appreciative of our marquee and hospitality fizz sponsors Leathes Prior Solicitors and for our art auction and leaflet printing by Arnolds Keys Auctioneers and Estate Agents. We were also grateful to the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) for the invite and their support. Archant sponsored a “Best in Show” art prize and Norwich Art Supplies our “Spirit of Plein Air Award”. For keeping our artists lubricated with cordial and water we are thankful to the Queens Road, Brazen Gate, Sainsbury’s Superstore.

Paint Out Norwich and Wells 2016

Sponsors of Paint Out Wells 2016 - Hopkins Homes, Sowerbys, ArchantPaint Out Wells 2016 saw primary sponsorship from Hopkins Homes, Sowerbys, and Archant.


 

Sponsors of Paint Out Norwich 2016 - Strutt & Parker, La Ronde Wright, Sowerbys, Archant
Paint Out
Norwich 2016
had as primary sponsor Strutt & Parker, along with La Ronde Wright, Sowerbys, and Archant. Our arts event partners include the Hostry Festival and our hubs – Anteros Arts Foundation and North Cafe Bar.

Supporting & Volunteering Opportunities

Paint Out is thankful for the hard work of its volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering for our current ‘paint outs’, assisting artists, helping manage the registration desks and paintings, and being part of our arts events can register online or join our volunteers facebook group. It looks great on a CV!

Volunteer at Paint Out

Paint Out History

Paint Out Norwich launched in 2014 and since then well over 100 different artists have taken part in our professional competitions and over 120 in our public paint outs. Our first satellite painting event was Wells-next-the Sea 2015 on the North Norfolk coast. That year also saw first-of-its-kind mass public ‘paint outs’ firstly on Wells Beach at sunrise and then, the following month, of some 100 artists, of all ages,  painting the expansive Norwich skyline, from historic Mousehold Heath. 2015 also saw our first Nocturne – nighttime painting event. 2016 saw artists taking to canoes and 2017 to an open-top double-decker bus, as well as painting live at the Royal Norfolk Show.

Mission statement

Paint Out logo 2015

Paint Out is a multifaceted live experience arts festival that aims to attract national and international talent by its annual events that focus on the challenges imposed by creating work ‘on the spot’ in the urban environment. Paint Out is keen to see a competition that tests artists’ skill and craft to the maximum, promoting the burgeoning UK arts scene, and providing an interactive educational experience. Our expanding events have included schools, public, and professional art competitions, artwork exhibitions and auctions, talks, “Artist’s Question Time”, and open air art workshops.

 


Paint Out  © 2014-2018 is a James Colman Project

Paint Out Plein Air Painting Competition, Exhibition & Live Art Experience

Oxana Klip and James Colman painting Houghton Hall at Paint Out Norfolk 2019

Paint Out™ is an art event aiming to refresh and redefine 21st century en plein air art practice. Founded in 2014, we are the UK’s premier and only fully juried en plein air art competition, celebrating the talents of national and international artists before a wide audience in the heart of medieval and iconic Norwich, around beautiful Norfolk‘s towns, countryside, broads and coast. We also hope to visit Suffolk again soon and have also painted Cambridge. Many of our events are about extreme painting challenges, in any weather, up against the clock and the gaze of the art-loving public. Come and Experience ArtLive

Our last event in our 10th anniversary year – Paint Out Norfolk, 13-22 July 2023 attracted over 140 artist entries and 80 participants, and included art workshops and demos, a multi-day selling Exhibition, PV & Awards of the best art of the week.

Paint Out Suffolk 2024 POSTPONED Volunteer/Intern/Work with us  Paint Out History   

Paint Out 2024

Stop Press:
Paint Out Suffolk has been postponed due to the founder-director’s surgery and recovery. We look forward to running this event around the idyllic seaside town of Southwold on the Suffolk heritage coast, on another occasion.
Paint Out Suffolk 2024 POSTPONED    View Paint Out Norfolk 2023 Gallery Paint Out Norfolk 2023 Art Catalogue  Participating Artist Info  Paint Out Workshops & Demos  Paint Out Exhibition  Volunteer/Intern/Work with us  Paint Out History   

Paint Out 2023

Artist Kate Gabriel painting Winterton allotments, Paint Out Norfolk 2020
Artist Kate Gabriel painting Winterton allotments, Paint Out Norfolk 2020

Our outdoor painting programme builds upon over 9 years of plein air art events and 3 years of 8-day tours of Norfolk and Norwich with open-air exhibitions seeing dozens of artwork sales and thousands also raised for charity. Each event sees interest from over 100 artists from UK, USA, France, Ireland, Malta, Scandinavia and elsewhere; do enter the UK’s most innovative plein air art event running each July with applications exceeding 140+ artist entries.

Artist Karen Adams painting on Winterton Beach dunes during Paint Out Norfolk 2020
Artist Karen Adams painting on Winterton Beach dunes during Paint Out Norfolk 2020

It’s an opportunity to brush up alongside new and familiar faces of the plein air art community. Challenge your creativity. Develop your skills – we have optional extra workshops and demos from guest artists Haidee Jo Summers, Roger Dellar, and Rob Nelmes. Come and capture the height of summer in county, city, coast, and countryside locations including Norwich, Norfolk seaside, inland Broads, seaport and market towns, several historic houses and gardens, and over-the-border forays to Constable country in Suffolk. There will be guest artists, painting demos, talks, socials, and art world judges.

Paint Out Norfolk 2023 Exhibition and Private ViewRecent judges have included Dr Sally Anne Huxtable, Michael Richardson, Maggi Hambling, Rob Adams, Hugh Pilkington and the Castle Museum’s Giorgia Bottinelli.

This year the judges include art historian and award-winning author Frances Spalding; art history at UEA alumni, Aylsham Picture House chair, art and antiques expert on Dickinson’s Real Deal, James Layte; and Andrew Bowyer, formerly head of Phillips’ Picture Department, and Sotheby’s Old Masters and now a Fine Art Consultant for Sworders

Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers will also be on-site during the PV on 20th July and through to 22nd July offering a free art appraisal service for one piece of your art/antique collection (Antiques Roadshow style!). They are the main sponsors of the event this year along with Rosemary & Co Brushes, Michael Harding Paints, and Norwich Art Supplies.

Enter Paint Out Norfolk 2023  Interactive Map of Painting Locations  Paint Out PV & Exhibition  Paint Out Norwich 2022 Gallery   View Paint Out Norfolk 2022 Gallery  Paint Out History  Paint Out Workshops & Demos    

Plein Air Painting DemoArt Workshops

Available to Paint Out Norfolk participating artists and non-entrants of any level alike

Experience Art – Live!

Get inspired by experiencing art “live”, watching its creation and creators and then come to an exhibition to see the finished paintings and artworks. 

Artist Will Topley at Paint Out Wells 2016 by Giacomo Gex on Vimeo.

Stay in Touch

Join our mailing list or register interest in our events to stay informed.

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