Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Docents for Sail Through This to That project

ABOUT DRWC and ArtPhilly: DRWC is a nonprofit with a mission to design, develop, program and maintain public amenities along the central Delaware River Waterfront. We aim to transform the waterfront into a vibrant destination for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia. ArtPhilly is a new arts organization creating the citywide, arts festival What Now: 2026. This five week festival throughout Philadelphia is designed to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary, and will launch on May 27, 2026. What Now: 2026 features over 30 multidisciplinary projects, installations, and performances, highlighting local artists and community spirit.

DURATION: May 28 through July 30, 2026

SCOPE: Sail Through This to That is indira allegra’s newest commission exploring the lives of Ona Judge, the bondswoman who styled Martha Washington and escaped to freedom from Philadelphia in 1796, and the Philadelphia trans woman and aspiring fashion designer Rem'mie Fells who was tragically killed in 2020. In partnership with Philadelphia’s Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, ArtPhilly, William Way LGBT Community Center, and the Fabric Workshop and Museum, Allegra will use 18th century techniques and fabrics reflecting Fells’s vibrant aesthetic to create three schooner sails. Sail Through This to That will culminate in a community-led procession that follows Judge’s escape on the Delaware River. The sails will be exhibited on the North Wind schooner that will also host the project’s public programming at the Spruce Street Harbor on the Delaware River.

Docents on the boat will have an important role in welcoming and orienting visitors to the installation. Docents should be comfortable speaking with the public, and possibly the press, about issues surrounding the exhibition including: indira allegra’s artistic practice, the project as a whole, Rem'mie Fells life and death, Ona Judge's history, the associated procession and corresponding programming on the boat. Since this project is located on a sailboat, boat greeters will be responsible for making sure visitors safely enter and exit the boat from the barge located along the pier at Spruce Street Harbor Park. Please note the boat is not ADA accessible, but the sails can alternatively be viewed from the barge where the boat will be docked. The ideal candidate should feel comfortable working outdoors in the afternoon hours with limited shade, periods of standing, and possible bracing/holding hands/gentle lifting to assist visitors on and off the boat. Previous experience with customer service, and/or docent training is preferred. Staff from the North Wind boat will also be on hand at all times when the boat is open for visitors.

 

REPORTS TO: Nicole Pollard, Project Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Welcome and orient visitors to the boat/installation
  • Share information with visitors about the project, its partners, and ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026 Festival
  • Opening and closing the installation each day
  • Provide feedback, as necessary, regarding the need for more visitor materials (brochures, etc.) to Nicole Pollard, project manager.  

SCHEDULE AND COMPENSATION:

  • Part-time, temporary. 
  • Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12-6pm, occasional evenings no later than 9pm.
  • Depending on availability and scheduling, this position is open to at least 4 candidates. 
  • Compensation: $20/hr. Not eligible for medical benefits.

Start date: Thursday, May 28, 2026. 

End date: Thursday, July 30, 2026

Orientation to be held during the week of May 4th

Location: ​​Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106