Volunteer

Get Involved!

There are several avenues to helping the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts continue its mission of bringing people together in the spirit of community and fun. From volunteering, to joining the advisory board, or supporting the SYCA through charitable contributions, community support and involvement is the lifeblood of the Sturges-Young and ensures the Center for the Arts continues in its mission to offer a wider range of arts and entertainment for generations to come.

The best way to be a part of the action is to join our volunteer team!

Whether you’re passionate about theater and the arts or simply looking for a way to get more involved in your community, we invite you to become a volunteer at the Sturges-Young!

As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to:

- Meet like-minded individuals who share your love of the arts
- Fulfill community service hour requirements and add to your resume
- Learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a professional setting
- Help us create memorable performances and events that entertain and inspire audiences
- Enjoy behind-the-scenes access to our productions, from rehearsals to opening night
- Give back to your community by supporting a local nonprofit organization
- Welcome audiences and ensure they have the best experience

We’re looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering for a few hours on an as-needed basis, depending on their availability, for a wide range of events. Some of the areas where we need volunteer support include:

Front-of-house: Welcome guests, tear tickets, assist with seating, and provide customer service such as directions to restrooms during performances.
Backstage: Help with loading in/out gear and equipment for concerts or large events, assisting staff with setup and tear down.
Special Event Decoration: Help with setup and decorations for the annual Monster Mash & Zombie Prom in October, the Holiday Kaleidoscope in November, and assist the Garden Club with Christmas decorations, and other events as needed.

In exchange for their time and talents, volunteers can enjoy certain shows free of charge, earn tickets to other events, personalized name badges after a certain number of contributed hours, and a celebration of their accomplishments with a yearly party in recognition of their contributions to the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.

No previous theater or volunteer experience is necessary, we’ll provide all the training and support you need to feel confident as part of the Sturges-Young Volunteer team. A positive attitude, willingness to learn, and a commitment to the SYCA’s mission of bringing high-quality events to the Sturgis community are all the skills necessary to join in the fun at Sturges-Young!

Ready to get started? Fill out our volunteer application for today and we’ll be in touch to schedule an orientation session. Thank you for your interest in supporting the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts!

Supporting the Historic Sturges-Young Helps Preserve a Cultural Landmark!

The beloved Sturges-Young Center for the Arts has been a centerpiece of art and culture in the Sturgis community for over 68 years, providing generations of residents with countless memories of live performances, travelogue film screenings, high school plays and band concerts, and countless community events. However, as with many aging buildings, the Sturges-Young is always in need of equipment and facility upgrades and renovations to ensure the historic venue remains a vibrant and accessible hub of artistic and cultural activity for years to come.

That’s why your generosity and support are vital to the continued growth and success of the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. Charitable, tax-deductible contributions, both private and corporate, allow for the support of a wide variety of exciting initiatives and programs at the Center for the Arts, including: Renovations and technical upgrades to modernize the facility and enhance the experience for audiences and performers alike.

Expansion of youth art and theater programs, providing more opportunities for young people to develop their skills and showcase their talents in a supportive and inclusive environment.

The addition of more live concerts and performances, bringing a diverse range of local and national artists to the Sturges-Young stage and contributing to the vitality of the greater Sturgis community’s cultural scene.

The Sturges-Young Center for the Arts is a treasured community resource that brings people together, fosters creativity and learning, and helps to define the character and identity of Sturgis. By supporting the Center for the Arts, you directly contribute to the preservation and enhancement of this important cultural landmark and ensure future generations enjoyment of the same rich cultural experiences that we’ve been fortunate to provide for the last six decades.

We greatly appreciate your generosity and contribution to help strengthen our mission of bringing people together in the spirit of community and fun through arts and entertainment. Every contribution is vital, no matter the size, and your support will make a meaningful difference in the continued success of the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.

For larger, annual, or planned gifts, please contact the Sturgis Area Community Foundation at 269-659-8508, and their staff will be happy to help you.

Thank you for considering this important opportunity to give back to our Sturgis community.
For a one-time gift.

For larger, annual, or planned gifts, please contact the Sturgis Area Community Foundation at 269-659-8508, and their staff will be happy to help you.

Thank you to all our Sturges-Young donors! You make all the difference!

The Sturges-Young Center for the Arts – Advisory Board

The Sturges-Young Advisory Board is a group of esteemed business leaders and community members who have come together to support and promote the success of the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. Comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, our board members are committed to advancing the mission of the Sturges-Young while supporting the arts and cultural exchange in and around the city of Sturgis.

We invite anyone who is interested in learning more about the SYCA Advisory Board or who would like to contribute to the success of the venue to join us. Whether you are a business owner, community leader, or simply a passionate supporter of the arts, there are many ways to get involved and make a meaningful impact.

As a member of the Board, you have the opportunity to collaborate with other like-minded individuals to develop strategies and initiatives that will enhance the auditorium’s programming, outreach, and sustainability. You also have the chance to network with other community leaders and businesses and make a positive contribution to the cultural life of Sturgis.

We welcome interested individuals to set up a time to meet with the Sturges-Young staff and all are welcome to attend our monthly general meetings, held at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at the Sturges-Young.

To learn more about the mission of the Sturges-Young and how you can get involved, please email Executive Director Sheila Bolda. Together, we can help ensure the success and vitality of the Center for the Arts for years to come.

Sturges-Young Advisory Board Members:

President: Elizabeth Whitehead,

Vice President: Cathi Abbs, Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce, Retired

Secretary: Anita Ritter, Anita Ritter Financial

Building, Grounds, and Decorating – Chair: Rick Bir, also City Commission rep.

Finance – Chair: Nate Matkin, Sturgis Bank, VP, Commercial Lender

Marketing – Chair: Cathi Abbs

Programming & Community Engagement – Chair: Jacqueline Harrison, President, Freeman Manufacturing

Educational Outreach & Youth Engagement – Chair: Carie Arseneau, Teacher, Sturgis Public Schools

Volunteer Team – Chair: Mark Ritter, Abbott, Retired

Holiday Kaleidoscope – Chairs: Doug Bates, Owner, Vogt’s Floral Designs, Dianna Kuwamoto, Freeman Manufacturing

Nicolle Ritchie, Landscaping, Niche Landscape Design

Megan Wynes, Accounting, Locey CPA

Committee Members:

Adriana Alvez, Self Employed, Hispanic Community Liaison

Martie Clark, RE/Max Elite Group, Realtor

Stephen Diehl, Retired

Sonja Duffy, Sturgis Public Schools

Mary Percival, Dentistry

Roxanne Persing, Sturgis Public Schools

Tim Peterson, Former Teacher, Retired, Musician

Todd Reed, Head Librarian, Sturgis District Library

Nicolle Ritchie, Agriculture

Paul Rooyakkers, Machinist, Burr Oak Tool

Erin Shoesmith, EMS Advertising Agency

Mike Stiles, Radio Broadcaster, WBET FM

Megan Wynes, Self Employed