Volunteer for the International Folk Art Market

We have over 40 teams of volunteers that contribute to the success of the International Folk Art Market during July each year, so there are many opportunities to find the best fit for you. By far, the largest number of opportunities are for Cashiers, Interpreters, and Artist Assistants who work in the booths with the artists to assist with the sales process. Volunteer team descriptions are available here.

To check your volunteer schedule, navigate to IFAM’s volunteer website: https://volunteers.folkartmarket.org/!

Once you are signed in you can view your schedule on the volunteer dashboard or by checking your inbox, which is located on the top right of your screen and is represented by a bell. As a reminder, if you selected shift times on your registration form that means you signed up for those shifts! Please check your schedule and make sure you can cover the shifts you signed up for.

You can volunteer for multiple teams as long as your shift times do not conflict. Simply identify the volunteer teams you are interested in working with on the volunteer site, then choose a time to sign up for that does not conflict with your other shifts and complete the short registration form. A list of shifts you have signed up for will be available on your volunteer dashboard and you will receive reminder notifications of your upcoming shifts.

You can sign up for as many shifts as you’d like, however, please keep in mind that volunteers who sign up for 2 or more shifts are eligible to receive a complimentary ticket to the general admission Market session of their choice. These two shifts do not need to be back-to-back, nor do they need to be on the same day.

Yes. You can sign up with a friend or partner by finding a shift with at least two available slots or by signing up as a “team”. To create a team, first select the volunteer opportunity you would like to sign up for, then click the red button labeled “Sign up as a team”. This will take you to the “create a team” page where volunteers can choose a team captain, add or remove volunteers to their team, and sign up for shifts as a team.

We are extremely grateful for your help producing the largest folk art market of its kind!

Volunteers receive:

• A complimentary ticket to a general admission session of your choosing

• A commemorative Market Volunteer t-shirt

• A volunteer hospitality tent with snacks & refreshments

On top of all that, it’s an unparalleled and unique volunteer experience where the world comes to Santa Fe!

Please plan on arriving at the Market venue 30 minutes early to factor in slowed travel time and getting through volunteer check-in. You should be at your station by the start time of your shift.

There is limited parking around the Railyard Park such as street parking, the parking structure located at the Railyard Municipal Garage, and some parking available at the surrounding buildings/businesses. It is strongly recommended that volunteers walk or bike into the Railyard Park, or park your car at the South Capitol Rail Runner station and take the train directly to the Railyard Park to be dropped off within walking distance from the volunteer Market entrance! You can always ride your bike to Market and check it at our designated Bike Valet station near the volunteer entrance of Market as well.

The city of Santa Fe has agreed to provide a shuttle service for volunteers and guests. Pickup locations will be at the Santa Fe South Capital - Runnels Lot.

Plan to be at your shuttle parking lot 30 minutes before your shift begins to arrive at the Market in plenty of time.

There will be an ADA-compliant entrance to the Market entering from Paseo de Peralta, and additional information on shuttle pick-up/drop off for Volunteers who need assistance will be posted as Market approaches.

Guest parking is located at various locations around Railyard Park. Parking areas reserved for IFAM will be marked, but you are also welcome to find a metered spot along the street or park at the Railyard Municipal Garage as well.

Coming from Albuquerque? Ride the Rail Runner to the Railyard stop and walk to Market or South Capitol stop and take the shuttle to the Market!

Feel like riding your bike? Bike Valet will be on site all the days of Market to park your bike and keep it safe!

The amazing team at Santa Fe Trails – long-time Market partners – will ensure that your ride to and from Market is fun and easy.

As a volunteer you can receive free general admission ticket. After you’ve registered for two shifts or more, you will receive email instructions.

Remember, you do NOT need a ticket to volunteer – this ticket is for you to enjoy the Market outside of your shift.

Average temperatures in Santa Fe in July range in the mid-90s. July is also the “monsoon” season for northern New Mexico, during which afternoon rains are common. We recommend bringing a backpack, a reusable water bottle, adequate food for the amount of time you’ll be away from home, chapstick, sun protection such as a hat and sunblock, and a light plastic poncho or umbrella.

If you are volunteering during a night shift, you should also bring a flashlight. Your shift will end after dark outside, and parking lots may have inadequate lighting. IFAM is cashless this year, so bring checks or credit cards. Wear comfortable shoes. (So important!) And come prepared to have fun and make lasting memories!

The Market provides a limited amount of snacks for volunteers. The Artist & Volunteer Hospitality area welcomes all volunteers to enjoy a selection of snacks, coffee, and beverages among amazing volunteers from throughout the country. Hospitality is open Wednesday afternoon and all day on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Plan to stop by before your shift or during a break.

Please note: Although we make every effort to provide a wide variety of snacks, we are not able to accommodate every nutritional need or food preference. If you have specific dietary requirements or food sensitivities, we recommend that you bring what you need. Meals can also be purchased at the surrounding businesses noted on our food map before or after your shift, or from one of the Market food vendors.

YES! In our effort to move Market towards a sustainable, green future we are not using single-use cups at water stations. PLEASE bring a reusable water bottle. You will be able to refill this bottle at one of our water stations. IFAM water bottles will also be available for purchase for $5.

As a volunteer, you are eligible to receive a complimentary ticket to the general admission Market session of your choosing. Additionally, Sunday is a free Community Day. Volunteers will NOT have to use their free entry ticket to participate in this experience!

We hope you will shop, but expect that you will respect a few simple rules:

• Please do not abandon your station to shop during your shift. If the shift is slow, coordinate with team members to leave for a short period, or allow yourself time before or after your shift for shopping.

• Do not ask an artist to sell items directly to you with cash, to sell you items before the Market begins on Friday evening, or to “hold” any items for you.

You can pick up your t-shirt at IFAM Center (620 Cerrillos Road) on the following dates:

2025 T-Shirt Pickup Dates

If you can’t make it, you can plan on picking up your t-shirt at Market when you check-in for your first shift. You are required to wear your volunteer t-shirt while volunteering, this is how you are identified! Your t-shirt is free.

Yes! Take a photo of yourself in your t-shirt at the International Folk Art Market and email it to us with “T-Shirt Contest” in the subject line by the third week of July annually. Winners will be selected and notified by the end of July annually.

In an effort to reduce waste, we are not using badges for volunteers this year. You will check in by name and will write out a daily stick-on nametag to adhere to your t-shirt.

There is no secure storage for personal items such as handbags, so please keep this in mind as you decide what to bring with you. The best solution for storing your water bottle, sunblock, and other personal items is a fanny pack or a backpack. Plan on carrying everything you might need (cell phone, ID, credit card, keys, water, etc.) on your person in your pockets, a fanny pack, or crossbody.

Unlike previous years where volunteers were assigned to one artist/stayed in one booth, this year we will have one Artist Assistant volunteer assigned to a pair of artist booths. Cashiers will also be assigned to one area, servicing four artists. We understand volunteers have loved working with particular artists over the years, but we hope this change will allow volunteers to get to know even more artists. Similar to previous years, Artist Partners will be standing in for artists that are unable to physically attend the Market, but would still like the opportunity to exhibit their items. These positions have been adapted in an effort to reduce the number of people in confined spaces in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some artists may bring their own assistants or request specific volunteers ahead of time. In the past, Artist Assistant volunteers have been able to request to work with one artist, however, in 2025 we are assigning volunteers to pairs of artist booths, as opposed to singular booths. When you sign up for a shift, you can still clarify your placement preference, but please know we will prioritize providing volunteer support to first-time artists and artists who are traveling alone.

If you’ve been to Market before you know that we are a rain or shine event unless lightning and thunder pose danger. July is monsoon season, so if you work an afternoon shift don’t be surprised if it rains! In the case of dangerous weather conditions, we will ask guests, volunteers, and artists to follow our severe weather policy, which is available to be viewed on the volunteer website.

Masks are optional but encouraged when interacting with the artists or in a highly-populated area. If you know you want to wear a mask, please bring your own. However, we will have masks available for those who forget. There will be signage encouraging masks in the tents, but this will not be enforced or mandated. If you have any questions or concerns please contact volunteers@folkartmarket.org

We cannot pay for or reimburse volunteer travel expenses. Some volunteer expenses can be itemized as tax deductions. (Consult your tax professional for details.)

We do have a First Aid tent for minor injuries. Please remember that IFAM is not responsible for any injuries you might incur, that being said please look out for yourself. Our event takes place in July, it can get hot - lookout for signs of heat stroke: confusion, agitation, loss of consciousness, a high temperature, shortness of breath, etc. Take breaks when you need breaks, drink lots of water, and wear a hat to protect yourself from sun exposure. In case of a serious emergency, immediately call 911. IFAM will have a non-dedicated team of EMTs/ambulances stationed during Opening Night, Early Bird, and Night Market.