We Want You!
SEAF 2026 is coming, and it takes a whole crew to bring the Seattle Erotic Art Festival and its related events to life.
From planning and prep to guest support, art handling, and basking in the afterglow once it’s all over, volunteering with SEAF is a chance to help make something unforgettable happen. You’ll be surrounded by creative people, good stories, gorgeous art, and a whole lot of heart. It’s a lot of work, yes. It’s also a very good time.
We’re a dynamic group of people working to support artists, spark conversation, and create spaces where expression, accountability, and community can exist together. We’re grateful you want to be part of that.
And yes, there will also be beautiful, talented, inspired people everywhere. We’d be remiss not to mention that.
Ready to volunteer?
Shifts for SEAF 2026 will open in April 2026.
Most of our volunteer needs happen between April 26 and May 4, with some opportunities available before festival week as well. As shifts go live, each department listed below will link to its signup page. If a department doesn’t have a link yet, it just means those shifts are not open quite yet.
Want to be first to know? Join our newsletter, and we’ll let you know when volunteer signups open.
Consent Advocate Training for SEAF volunteers is scheduled for 9:00 AM on Sunday, March 15, 2026. This training is free for volunteers, but registration is required.
Please note: This year, we are only accepting volunteers who are 21 and over.
Volunteering has its perks
For ALL volunteers
- Art, stickers, and other swag.
- Invitation to attend the Behind the Scenes Artist Reception on Thursday April 30, 8-10pm, at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
- Access (during your shift) to the volunteer lounge.
- Invitation to the Volunteer Appreciation party at Gallery Erato held after the festival in the early summer. Date TBA
- Satisfaction of making SEAF happen!
For volunteer hours worked prior to Opening Night
For each 4 hours worked prior to Festival: get a discount code redeemable for a free SEAF single-day ticket. Discount codes are available at the volunteer check in desk after your shift – be sure to stop by for your code!
All discount codes and tickets are transferable. Only one code can be applied per order. Free ticket codes do not apply to VIP tickets.
For volunteer hours worked during the Festival
Any shift worked during the Festival: Attend that day free (before and after your shift).
Please check in at the Volunteer desk when you arrive to get your badge and find out where to report when your shift starts and which lead you will be working with.
For volunteer hours worked during Strike
For each 4 hours worked after 4pm on Sunday: you will get a code to make one SEAF2027 ticket free. All discount codes and tickets are transferable. Only one code can be applied per order.
Find your place at SEAF
There are many ways to help, and not all of them look the same. Some roles are guest-facing. Some are behind the scenes. Some are hands-on, fast-moving, glamorous, practical, or gloriously specific. Take a look through the departments below and choose what feels like your speed.
Check availability in all departments here. Click on the volunteer position below to sign up.
Art & Exhibition
- Art Check In
- Art Handling (including art hanging and de-installation)
- Art Handling Training
- Art Docent (Please attend mandatory docent training before registering for a shift)
- Art Docent Training
- April 8, 2026; 7:00 PM: online via zoom
- April 15, 2026; 7:00 PM: online via zoom
- April 18, 2026; noon: online via zoom
- April 30, 2026; 7:00 PM: In-person training at the Exhibition Hall
- Art Packing & Shipping
- People’s Choice Assistant
- People’s Choice Voting Enthusiast
- Store Cashier
- Store Staff
Interactive Experiences
- Body Art Human Canvas (body painting model)
- Body Art Minion
- Body Art Bling Fairy
- Life Drawing Assistant
- Life Drawing Model
Guest Experience & Front of House
- Box Office Cashier
- Box Office Ticket Takers
- VIP Training
- VIP Check-In*
- VIP Lounge Host*
- Directionals (Info Booth)
- Volunteer Check-In and Badge Pickup Desk
- Volunteer Wrangling
- Volunteer Lounge Host
* VIP Training required for all VIP volunteers
Safety, Consent & Care
Setup, Strike & Operations
Before You Volunteer
We offer multiple chances to attend a volunteer orientation before festival week. You can find details for each date on the Pan Eros Foundation calendar.
If you’re joining us for the first time, we strongly encourage you to attend a Volunteer Orientation & Info Session before signing up for shifts. Returning volunteers are welcome to attend an orientation or jump straight into signup once shifts are open.
Online sessions: Register in advance for the Zoom meetings.
In-person session: Just show up at Gallery Erato, 309 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104.
We welcome volunteers from many backgrounds, communities, and abilities. If you have questions about volunteering, accessibility, or where you might be the best fit, reach out. We’re here to help you help the festival.
Volunteer Code of Conduct
The Pan Eros Foundation and Seattle Erotic Art Festival are committed to providing fun, safe, creative, and sexy environments free from harassment, abusive behavior, discrimination, and consent violations. We are dedicated to furthering freedom of expression in tandem with personal accountability while striving to eliminate abusive behaviors. We are devoted to anti-racism. We expect high standards of conduct and education and will make every effort to ensure that all staff, performers, and attendees act responsibly and with sensitivity.
Volunteers are expected to be accountable for their actions’ consequences and consider the well-being of themselves, others, and the event. Conduct that undermines this code, or is exploitative of others, will be cause for removal from the event and being banned from future events. We hold the following principles and expectations of all volunteers in regards to appropriate conduct and behavior.
As a volunteer, you agree to:
- Treat all PEF/SEAF employees, contractors, vendors, volunteers, attendees, and community members with respect, courtesy, and dignity.
- Act honestly and ethically while in the performance of their volunteer duties.
- Be respectful of ethnic, national, racial, religious, sexuality, orientation, ability, and cultural differences.
- Never discriminate against, harass, bully, or mistreat staff or other volunteers.
- Some examples of bullying behavior include but are not limited to: abusive and offensive language, insults, teasing, and spreading rumors. It can also include a manipulation of the work environment or psychological manipulation.
- Obey all applicable local, state, and federal laws, including all laws and regulations that govern appropriate conduct in a place of business.
- Adhere to the detailed Drug and Alcohol policy contained below in this Code of Conduct
- Deter wrongdoing and ensure accountability for adherence to the Code of Conduct.
- Seek assistance if you have questions about any volunteer guidelines, including the Code of Conduct.
- Support a safer environment by alerting Staff Leads to potential violations of the Code of Conduct
- Be reliable and punctual in reporting for scheduled volunteer activities. We will attempt to be flexible in all cases, volunteers are expected to call or text (206)229-2185 if they will be absent or late, so arrangements can be made for handling their responsibilities.
- Maintain an appropriate dress code, including wearing clothing that always covers one’s genitals and nipples as required by Washington State Liquor laws
- Connect with staff or a Safety team member in a critical emergency (a volunteer faints or falls, etc.)
- Comply with all stated COVID policies, as applicable.
If a staff member or volunteer has any questions or concerns about the code of conduct or wishes to file a formal complaint, they may contact director@seaf.art.
Drug and Alcohol use
All volunteer activities must be conducted free from the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs. While medical and recreational cannabis use is legal in Washington State, a volunteer cannot report to an event impaired, nor should a volunteer smell of cannabis or alcohol per the expectation for scents and hygiene. In addition, these substances may not be possessed or distributed on PEF/SEAF premises. During events where alcohol is served, volunteers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner throughout the event.
Adherence to Policies
PEF/SEAF develops policies, procedures, and guidelines with input from both staff and volunteers and with consultation from legal, finance, and risk management experts; our policies, procedures, and guidelines are updated regularly as new situations emerge. Both volunteers and staff are expected to comply with policies including those described in this document. Failure to comply may be grounds for disqualification and/or removal.
Terms of disqualification and/or removal
PEF/SEAF is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for both staff and volunteers.
Volunteers who do not comply with the Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action, including and up to disqualification and/or removal.
The following actions may be cause for removal from an event and banning:
- Consent Violations
- Examples include but are not limited to failure to honor stated limits and boundaries, violations of personal space or boundaries, and non-consensual objectification or fetishization.
- Abusive Behavior/Harassment
- Examples include but are not limited to racism, bullying, coercion, transphobia, unwanted sexual advances, intimidation, non-consensual physical abuse, ableism, and defamation. Comments or behavior that stereotypes, discriminates against, or harms community members will not be tolerated.
- Violations of this Code of Conduct
- We take reports very seriously. If at an event you are being harassed, have your consent violated, or even just see an attendee, presenter, or staff member making others uncomfortable, please report this to a Safety team member or a Consent Advocate as soon as possible.
We encourage you to report any code of conduct violations at the event as soon as possible and as you feel safe to do so. PEF/SEAF events have on site Consent Advocates and Safety team members who are available to receive reports at any time. We recognize that sometimes reports must be made after some time. To make a report after an event, please e-mail director@seaf.art.
Let Your Volunteer Hours Go Further
Some employers will make a donation to a nonprofit when their employees volunteer. That means your time at SEAF could also bring in direct financial support for the festival.
Check with your HR department to see whether your company offers volunteer matching.
The Pan Eros Foundation is a 501(c)(3), and our EIN is 20-5824097. If your employer offers matching, we’d love it if you designated your contribution to support the Seattle Erotic Art Festival.
Still have questions?
Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Volunteer questions: volunteer@seaf.art
General questions: info@seaf.art
Phone: (206) 229-2185
You can also join our newsletter to stay in the loop about volunteer opportunities, festival updates, and other ways to get involved.