Volunteer Beyond the Studio Chapter Lead - Vaughan/York Region: Create Art & Gifts That Give Back!

Bring people together to create something that brightens someone’s day!

Hands & Canvas is a youth-founded, volunteer-led initiative based in Toronto that makes art more accessible through free workshops and community projects. Through Beyond the Studio, volunteers create donated artwork, handmade gifts, colouring and activity pages, and art kits.

We’re looking for Beyond the Studio Chapter Leads in Vaughan and York Region to build small teams and organize creative donation projects. Start a chapter at your high school, university, or community space, or apply as an individual and build a team with our guidance.

You don’t need an existing team, a confirmed recipient organization, or professional art experience to apply!

YOUR ROLE:

You’ll bring together a small, dependable team and help take a project from its first idea through to delivery. That includes choosing something useful to create, connecting with a recipient organization, and keeping your team organized.

Your chapter can start with one manageable project and grow from there.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Recruit and coordinate a small volunteer team.

• Choose creative projects with guidance from Hands & Canvas.

• Research and contact potential recipient organizations in your community.

• Confirm what organizations need and can accept before your team begins creating.

• Organize creative sessions, divide responsibilities, and agree on deadlines.

• Plan materials and confirm any costs with Hands & Canvas before making commitments.

• Review completed work and coordinate an agreed delivery or digital handover.

• Track volunteer contributions, hours, and completed projects.

• Share progress and feedback with Hands & Canvas.

PROJECTS YOU COULD ORGANIZE:

• Original artwork and handmade gifts.

• Colouring sheets and creative activity pages.

• Art kits with agreed materials and simple instructions.

• Other creative projects developed with Hands & Canvas and a recipient organization.

Bring your ideas! We’ll help you shape them around your team’s interests and the recipient’s needs.

HOW WE’LL SUPPORT YOU:

We’ll help you get started through an introductory online meeting, project ideas, planning guidance, outreach support, and ongoing check-ins.

For your first project, we’ll help identify potential recipients and develop your approach. You’ll also be expected to research local opportunities, contact organizations, and build relationships independently as you gain confidence.

Local placements, supplies, and funding are not automatically available. We’ll agree on materials, costs, and delivery arrangements before confirming a project.

WHO WOULD ENJOY THIS ROLE?

This could be a great fit if you:

• Enjoy art, crafts, organizing, or community service.

• Want to start a school, university, or community chapter.

• Communicate reliably and help others feel included.

• Are willing to approach organizations with our guidance.

• Want to turn creative ideas into completed projects.

High school students, university students, and adults are welcome. Experience with clubs, art, leadership, or events is helpful but not required. You don’t need to be the strongest artist on the team. Helping people work together matters just as much!

School-based chapters should follow their school’s club and supervision requirements. Visits to recipient organizations must follow the host’s participation requirements.

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:

Build up lots of volunteer hours, meet creative people, and gain experience in leadership, outreach, teamwork, and project planning. You’ll have the chance to start something in your community and see your team’s ideas become thoughtful contributions.

Completed hours can be documented and verified. Students should confirm eligibility with their school before starting.

LOCATION AND COMMITMENT:

We’re recruiting leads in Vaughan and York Region. On boarding and coordination with Hands & Canvas take place online. Your team may create together in person or coordinate remotely, depending on the project.

Physical projects require an agreed delivery arrangement; digital work can be completed remotely.

Expect approximately 2 to 4 hours per week on average, with flexibility around school or work and additional time near deadlines. We ask leads to complete at least one agreed project from planning through handover.

HOW TO APPLY:

Simply apply on Volunteer Vaughn or send a short introduction to brianlu086@gmail.com with the subject “Beyond the Studio Chapter Lead” and include:

• Why you’re interested.

• Your city or community.

• Whether you’re applying individually or with a team.

• Whether you’d like to start a school, university, or community chapter.

• Your availability and any relevant interests or experience.

• Any project ideas or organizations you’d like to approach.

No existing chapter or confirmed recipient is required.

Learn more at handsandcanvas.com or contact the Founder Brian Lu at brianlu086@gmail.com