Volunteer
Would you like to help shape this year’s Ultima?
Ultima is a festival for boundary-pushing sonic experiences. Every September, we fill Oslo with over 50 events – concerts, installations, performances, and talks – featuring artists from around the world. It all takes place on stages, in museums, clubs, streets, and other unexpected spots across the city.
As a volunteer, you become a vital part of this diverse and vibrant community. You’ll gain experience in festival work, meet new people, and get up close to pioneering art and music. You’ll help create unforgettable experiences for audiences while getting a behind-the-scenes look at life at an international arts and music festival.
Whether you’ve joined us before or this is your first time, you’re warmly welcome to leave your mark on this year’s festival!
What does it imply?
What you get as a volunteer
- Basic training in various festival tasks – such as hosting, ticket sales, first aid, and more
- Food and drink provided during shifts
- At least five free tickets to the festival
- Exclusive Ultima merchandise
- Invitation to the kick-off and afterparty
What we look for
As a volunteer, you’ll contribute a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 60 hours during the festival period, depending on your availability and capacity. The work period includes both preparations before and clean-up after the festival. Shifts may be short or long – we’ll tailor the schedule to work for both you and the festival.
We ask that you:
- Arrive on time and with a positive attitude for your scheduled shifts
- Let us know as early as possible if you’re unwell or unable to attend
- Are at least 16 years old – there’s no upper age limit!
You can work with:
Hospitality
Hospitality Volunteers represent the festival in interactions with the audience, artists, and production teams. There are three main areas of work: Concert Hosting, Hub and Volunteer Hosting, and Artist Hosting.
Concert Host
As a Concert Host, you are the festival’s face to the public. This is the area where we have the greatest need for volunteers. You’ll work in teams at various venues around the city, helping ensure the audience has the best possible experience. Your tasks may include:
- Preparing the venue before the concert
- Setting up banners and flags
- Selling and scanning tickets
- Distributing programmes and answering audience questions
It’s important that you greet the audience with a smile, familiarise yourself with the concert programme, and know practical details about the venue – such as the location of toilets and the bar. This role is ideal for someone who is service-oriented, solution-focused, and comfortable communicating in both Norwegian and English.
Hub Host
As a Hub Host, you’ll ensure that both the production team and other volunteers have everything they need to do a great job. Your tasks may include:
- Welcoming and registering volunteers as they arrive for their shifts
- Keeping the volunteer hub at Sentralen tidy and welcoming
- Preparing and serving simple meals
- Transporting food, drink, and equipment to the venues
- Assisting in the festival kitchen
This role is suited for someone who is social, helpful, and enjoys making others’ days a little better.
Artist Host
As an Artist Host, you will assist Ultima’s guest artists with practical needs before, during, and after their performances. Your tasks may include:
- Meeting and escorting artists to venues
- Assisting with rehearsals and soundchecks
- Ensuring artists have all the necessary information
- Assisting with food and drink service backstage
- Being a point of contact for small practical questions and needs
This role is ideal for someone who is service-oriented, solution-focused, and comfortable communicating in English.
Production and rigging
As part of the production and rigging team, you’ll help set up and take down stages, audience areas, and basic technical equipment before and after concerts and performances. You’ll assist in preparing the venue and making sure everything is in place before the audience arrives. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on work, is solution-oriented, and takes pride in making everything run smoothly behind the scenes.
Communication
As a volunteer in the Communications Team, you’ll help ensure that the audience can easily find information and that the festival’s presence is felt around the city. Your tasks may include:
- Distributing informational materials and merchandise to the venues
- Assisting with printing, folding, and handing out daily programmes and flyers
- Setting up information points and banners
- Keeping information stands tidy and up to date
- Assisting with simple tasks for the communications team as needed
Transport
The transport role is for those who have a driving licence and are comfortable driving a large van in Oslo. You’ll be responsible for transporting everything from instruments and equipment to musicians and other festival participants.
Do you have any questions? See if you can find the answer on our info page for volunteers.
