Cabarrus Arts Council Volunteer Highlight: Julie Roberts

For Julie Roberts, volunteering with the Cabarrus Arts Council began with a desire to reconnect with something she had loved for decades. Julie spent much of her career bringing dance into elementary school classrooms. With a degree in dance education, she taught creative movement through dance in the schools programs across Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. When funding for the program ended, she found herself unexpectedly disconnected from the arts. “I was sort of left out of the art situation for a while,” she recalls. “I really wanted to be involved again.” In 2022, Julie decided to do something about it. She walked into the Cabarrus Arts Council and simply asked how she could help. “I just came down here and said, ‘How can I volunteer?'” she says. “Everybody was just so nice, and that’s where it started.” Since then, Julie has become one of the Arts Council’s most familiar volunteer faces. You’ll find her welcoming patrons at the Davis Theatre, serving as one of the CAC’s concessions extraordinaires, assisting with summer camps, and volunteering with Students Take Part in the Arts. While she enjoys every opportunity to serve, the school performances hold a special place in her heart. “Being back in the elementary schools, that’s really probably my favorite thing,” she says. “Watching the kids come in and seeing their faces when they leave saying, ‘That was so cool!’ You know it made an impression on them.” Having spent years teaching through the arts, Julie understands firsthand how those experiences stay with children long after the performance ends. “It makes an impression,” she says. “I don’t care what people say. It makes an impression on even the kid that doesn’t look like they’re paying attention. The music or something is reaching them.”   Volunteering has also broadened Julie’s own perspective. Although dance had always been her artistic passion, spending time in The Galleries introduced her to new forms of creativity. “My idea of art has changed a lot,” she says. For Julie, volunteering is just as much about the people as it is about the performances and exhibitions. Whether she’s chatting with patrons at concessions, catching up with familiar faces, or welcoming first-time visitors, she treasures the sense of community she has found. When someone asks if they should volunteer, Julie doesn’t hesitate. “It’s going to change your life,” she says. “You’re going to feel like you’re in a community. For your mental health, for your well-being, and for your joy, you need to at least give it a chance.” Nearly three years after walking through the Arts Council’s doors, Julie continues to share her enthusiasm wherever she serves. Just as she once inspired children through movement in the classroom, she now helps create welcoming experiences that connect people of all ages to the arts, proving that it’s never too late to find your way back to something you Interested in volunteering? Save the Date! Sat, August 15 from 11am-1pm, join us for the Cabarrus Arts Council’s Biannual Volunteer Opportunity Fair. RSVP: https://forms.gle/RhAWdT44NWz7cYMq9 Meet current volunteers, get an overview of the upcoming season, and learn about opportunities including: Gallery Attendants Gallery attendants help create meaningful and welcoming experiences for visitors exploring The Galleries. After attending an orientation for each exhibition, attendants greet guests, answer questions about the artwork and the building, and support special events. A minimum commitment of three hours per month helps ensure consistent, engaging experiences for all who visit. Ushers Davis Theatre ushers ensure patrons feel welcome, comfortable, and cared for during performances. They take tickets, escort guests to their seats, assist with concessions or merchandise, support the box office manager, and help ensure performers’ needs are met. Ushers complete a general training class and arrive early for each event to receive show-specific instructions. School Programs — Students Take Part in the Arts Volunteer ushers help safely guide schoolchildren as they arrive for professional cultural arts performances — from unloading buses to seating classes efficiently. It’s a rewarding opportunity to witness exceptional performances while sharing in the excitement of young audiences. More than 30,000 students and teachers participate in this program each year. Street Team Street Team volunteers help energize Art Walk events by promoting activities, greeting visitors, and supporting a fun, welcoming atmosphere. It’s a great way to connect the community with local artists, live music, and the vibrant energy of downtown. Want to see art in your community? Please consider making a gift to the Cabarrus Arts Council: Help keep art alive in our region through a donation of any size. Visit cabarrusartscouncil.org/donate