BuildaBridge International travels the world to restore hope and healing to communities affected by cultural and religious conflict, environmental catastrophe, poverty, illness, and social injustice. Through its specialized team service projects and arts intervention programs, BuildaBridge International promotes dialogue, understanding, and community development with partners throughout the world.

Our mission is to meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations and to assist local organizations in sustainable development through local arts resources.

Our goals are fulfilled through three programs: Artists on Call, Goodwill Tours, and Cross-Cultural Discovery Tours, which also simultaneously achieve the need to train artists in teaching methodology, working in multi-cultural teams, and expaning service and arts programs between diverse people and their culture.

Our values that each of our trips seek to accomplish are:

BuildaBridge International coordinates and sponsors several service trips every year within each program. The variety of the trips ensure that there is a match for every skill-level and interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there a need for BuildaBridge International?
Since 1997, BuildaBridge has been coordinating mission and service arts programs around the world. The documented impact of these programs has confirmed the effectiveness and need for the transforming power of the arts among the world's most victimized children and people in conflict and poverty. There is a role for the direct service to these populations as well as exposing those of influence and means to the world's problems. Artists and the arts have been misunderstood and underutilized in their transforming potential for peace, reconciliation, wellness, hope and healing among those with little on no financial, human and social capital.

Where is BuildaBridge currently sending artists?
BuildaBridge is currently sponsoring programs in Hungary, Egypt, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Belize. We have recently conducted service trips in Malaysia, Palestine, Italy, India, Liberia, Georgia, Guatemala and are in the process of the planning future programs in Armenia, South Africa and Jamaica. Due to the continual requests from global organizations seeking our collaboration, we are constantly developing further relations in Central and Southern America, Africa, Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe, and hope to eventually provide service opportunities in every country served by the United Nations.

For more information regarding current programs, click here

Where does BuildaBridge International receive its funding?
BuildaBridge is a 501(c)3 funded through grants, individual donations, participation fees, and consultation services.

Do I have to pay my own way to participate in an overseas trip?

For the most part, yes. BuildaBridge tries to keep the participation and travel costs as low as possible, but cannot afford to cover the costs of all overseas participants. Participants are encouraged to raise support for their trip and donation checks for individual participants can be written to BuildaBridge to provide the donor with a tax write-off.

How are our volunteers (Artists on Call) chosen?
After a potential artist volunteer expresses interest in working with BuildaBridge, he or she must first submit an updated resume and complete the BuildaBridge volunteer application along with a personality and global awareness profile. All artists must participate in a BuildaBridge training session, followed by an interview with the BuildaBridge President, or the International Program Coordinators. Potential Artists on Call must also meet these five basic requirements:

* Strong motivation

* Ability to deal with difficult environments

* Creativity in working with a scarcity of artistic resources

* Training in therapeutic art modalities, community development, and crisis

management

* Ability to raise funds in order to cover partially or entirely the travel expenses

What are the typical living arrangements while on assignment?
Accommodations vary by as to the nature of the program. Participants on the Cross-Cultural Discovery Tours will mostly reside in very clean, comfortable and often upscale hotels during their trips. Artists’ living arrangements through our other two programs usually consists of home stays or group lodgings at equipped community centers, schools, or program facilities. Artists may some times only have access to the bare essentials.

How can I volunteer?
Email us at aoc@buildabridge.org with your interest; include which programs in particular, if any, you would like to be involved with. After that we will send you an application and begin the review process

Do I need to speak the language?
There are no language requirements to be an Artist on Call (AOC), although some programs may prefer volunteers possessing proficiency in a certain language over others. Language skills are definitely an asset and should be noted on your application. For those who do not speak the language, interpreters will be provided at the work site.

What skills do you look for?
BuildaBridge International embraces and values all of the arts, from visual to culinary. The expectations of each program determine the skills required of each AOC. In filling out an AOC application please be sure to include all of your skills and talents.

How long are the programs?
Assignment length varies by the organization and the extent of its project. Most AOC programs are between one and two weeks long, however, some projects can engage artists for a couple of months

Will I need a passport and/or visa?
Traveling outside the United States requires a passport. BuildaBridge International is unable to procure passports for volunteers.

Depending on the country and length of stay, a visa may be required. BuildaBridge International will assist you with all the necessary forms and materials to obtain the visa.

Yes. Our GoodWill Tours are centered around traveling performing art groups. If another type of group (school club, group of friends, etc.) would like to volunteer some time, BuildaBridge International will accommodate that request according to organizational needs at the time. Many of our service trips are planned in conjunction with typical breaks from school and extend for only one week at a time.

Do I have to be Christian to work with BuildaBridge?

No. BuildaBridge is an ecumenical organization, but does not require staff or volunteers to be Christians; however, a strong faith background can be helpful. BuildaBridge works with a variety of religions and cultures and asks that staff and volunteers are committed to doing good in the world and share our values of peace, faith, reconciliation, and love.