What is a Creative Volunteer?

Creative Volunteers bring the energy, artistry, and celebration to the Disability Pride Parade. They include performers, musicians, dancers, artists, and costumed participants who help make the event lively, inclusive, and memorable. Creative Volunteers may perform on stage, entertain crowds along the parade route, or bring each parade block’s theme to life through costumes, music, and dance. Whether through choreographed routines, freestyle expression, live music, or visual arts, these volunteers create a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates disability pride and engages the community.

What are the Different Creative Roles?

• • • • Performers and Artists: Entertain and engage attendees through music, dance, visual arts, or other creative performances.

      • Costumed Volunteers: Each of the 10 blocks of the parade will represent one decade or theme, ranging from '60s Protest and Power to Advocate. Costumed volunteers will dress in accordance with the decade of their block.

      • Dance Troupes: Perform dance routines to entertain and energize the crowd. Some of these will be available on YouTube prior to the parade for the general public to learn.

      • Freestyle Dancers: Showcase your unique talent and engage attendees with interactive dance performances.

      • Parade DJs: Play music through speakers to keep the parade lively.

      • Marching Bands: March along the parade route while performing live music.

      • Block Coordinators: Ensure the activities along an assigned block of the Parade route run smoothly and report to Parade organizers.

Event Timeline

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Line-Up & Side Streets
Madison Square Park

Performers & Artists – Visit side streets, engage groups waiting to march, build excitement.

Costumed Volunteers – Dress for your decade block and take positions along the route.

Block Coordinators – Consult with Parade organizers and arrive at your assigned block.

11:00 AM | Parade Kickoff
Route: Madison Square Park → Broadway → Union Square

Costumed Volunteers – Energize the crowd, share fun facts about disability leaders of your decade.

Dance Troupes – Perform choreographed routines along the route.

Freestyle Dancers – Jump in and hype up spectators with interactive moves.

Parade DJs – Play music to keep energy flowing.

Block Coordinators – Supervise activities on your assigned block 

12:00 PM | Block Party
Union Square Park

Freestyle Dancers – Dance near the stage to live music.

Costumed Volunteers – Keep the energy high during community activities.

Arts & Décor Volunteers – Lead creative activities (face painting, crafts, community canvas).

12:30 PM | Remarks & Spotlights
Union Square Park

Performers & Artists – Engage the audience, make announcements, and spotlight special guests.

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Performances
Union Square Park

Freestyle Dancers – Rotate every 15 minutes near the stage

Performers & Artists – Continue engaging the audience and spotlighting guests.

Arts & Décor Volunteers – Support ongoing arts/crafts activities.

Creative Volunteers

What Is a Creative Volunteer?

Creative Volunteers bring the energy, artistry, creativity, and celebration to the Disability Pride NYC Parade. They include performers, musicians, dancers, visual artists, and other creative participants who help make the Parade lively, inclusive, and memorable.

Creative Volunteers may perform at the Disability Pride Block Party, engage participants along the Parade route and in lineup areas, or help bring the “Together We Build!” themed blocks to life through art, costumes, music, dance, storytelling, and interactive activities.

Disabled artists and performers are especially encouraged to create, perform, lead, and help shape the creative life of the Parade.

You do not need to be a professional artist or performer to participate. Whether you belong to a performing group, have an artistic practice, love to dance, enjoy making things, or simply want to contribute your creativity and energy, there is a place for you.

What Are the Different Creative Roles?

• Performers and Artists: Engage Parade participants through music, dance, theater, visual arts, spoken word, storytelling, and other creative performances and activities.

• Costume and Theme Volunteers: Help bring the “Together We Build!” themed blocks to life through costumes, clothing, accessories, signs, and other creative expressions connected to each block’s theme.

• Dance Troupes and Dance Volunteers: Perform and dance along the Parade route and at the Block Party. You don't need to belong to a dance troupe or be a professional dancer. Dance in whatever way works for you—standing, seated, rolling, signing, moving, or expressing the music in your own way. Freestyle dancing is welcome, too. Some dances will be shared in advance so volunteers can learn and participate together. Videos will include captions and accessible verbal instructions so people can learn the dances in different ways.

• Parade DJs: Play music to keep the Parade lively and help bring energy and joy to the celebration.

• Musicians and Marching Bands: Bring live music to the Parade route, lineup areas, and Block Party. Individual musicians, ensembles, and marching bands are welcome.

• Arts and Décor Volunteers: Help create signs, visual displays, decorations, collaborative art projects, and interactive activities. Activities may include face painting, crafts, and a community canvas where participants can add messages, drawings, and other contributions.

• Disability Culture and History Volunteers: Help creatively share disability history, culture, art, and stories through themed blocks, displays, storytelling, performances, and activities.

• Lineup Performers and Artists: Visit lineup areas before the Parade begins to perform, engage with groups as they wait, and help build excitement, joy, and community connection.

• Block Coordinators: Help coordinate activities within an assigned themed block, communicate with participating artists, organizations, and volunteers, and provide updates to the Parade team.

Creative activities should be designed so people can participate in different ways and at their own pace.

Event Timeline

Note: This schedule is subject to change.

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Line-Up & Gathering

Madison Square Park

• Lineup Performers and Artists: Visit lineup areas, perform and engage with groups waiting to march, and help build excitement.

• Costume and Theme Volunteers: Help bring the themed blocks to life through costumes, signs, art, and other creative elements.

• Dance and Music Volunteers: Perform, dance, and engage participants while groups gather.

• Block Coordinators: Connect with Parade organizers, participating groups, artists, and volunteers and help prepare their assigned themed block.

11:00 AM | Parade Kickoff

Route: Madison Square Park → Broadway → Union Square Park

• Performers and Artists: Bring performances, art, storytelling, and other creative activities to the Parade.

• Costume and Theme Volunteers: Help visually bring each “Together We Build!” block to life.

• Dance Troupes and Dance Volunteers: Perform choreographed or freestyle dances and help bring energy and joy to the Parade.

• Parade DJs, Musicians, and Marching Bands: Provide music along the Parade route.

• Block Coordinators: Help coordinate activities and communication within their assigned themed block.

12:00 PM | Disability Pride Block Party

Union Square Park

• Performers, Musicians, and Dancers: Perform and engage with participants throughout the Block Party.

• Arts and Décor Volunteers: Lead and support accessible, participatory art activities, including crafts and the community canvas.

• Costume and Theme Volunteers: Continue bringing the Parade themes to life through creative activities and community engagement.

• Disability Culture and History Volunteers: Help creatively share disability culture, history, art, and stories through activities and displays.

12:10 PM | Remarks & Spotlights

Union Square Park

• Performers and Artists: Help create energy around the program and participate in scheduled creative or cultural presentations.

12:40 PM – 3:00 PM | Performances & Community Engagement

Union Square Park

• Performers, Musicians, and Dancers: Participate in scheduled performances and interactive activities.

• Arts and Décor Volunteers: Continue supporting participatory art and creative activities.

• Costume and Theme Volunteers: Engage participants and help carry the themed experience into the Block Party.

• Creative Volunteers: Help invite participants of different ages, disabilities, and ways of participating to join creative activities.

Access for Creative Volunteers

Disabled people are encouraged to create, perform, volunteer, and lead throughout the Creative Team.

Creative participation can take many forms. Performances and activities should be developed with accessibility in mind so that artists, volunteers, and participants can take part in different ways.

When you register, let us know about your access needs and the kinds of roles that work best for you. Opportunities can include seated or standing roles, shorter shifts, lower-sensory activities, advance or remote preparation, and other ways of participating.

You do not need to disclose a disability or explain why you need an access support in order to participate.

Get Creative With Us

You don't need to fit into one of these categories. If you have an artistic idea, talent, performance, activity, or something creative you would like to bring to the Parade, tell us about it.

Bring your art. Bring your music. Bring your moves. Bring your ideas. Help us bring “Together We Build!” to life.

Sign Up

Sign up using the Creative Team Sign Up Volunteering Form by Saturday, September 26, 2026.

Please note that this position is only available on the day of the Parade, as are the Information and Accessibility Volunteer roles.. If you're interested in helping to plan the Parade, you can be a Fundraising, Theme Execution, or Outreach Volunteer. For more information, visit those pages.

Sign Up

Sign up using the Creative Team Volunteer Sign-Up Form.

There is no deadline to volunteer, but we encourage Creative Volunteers to sign up as early as possible so there is time to connect, plan, rehearse, and create together.

Creative Volunteers can participate before the Parade, on Parade day, or both. Opportunities may include helping develop themed blocks and creative activities, preparing art and displays, rehearsing performances and dances, and performing or volunteering on Parade day.

Have an idea that doesn't fit one of the roles listed above? We want to hear it. Tell us what you would like to create, perform, or contribute, and we'll work with you to find a way to be part of the Parade.

Not looking for a creative role? Explore our other volunteer opportunities to find the way you'd most like to help build the Parade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find information about my assigned block?
More information is coming soon.

Can I volunteer with my group (band, dance troupe, etc.)?
Yes! Groups are highly encouraged to apply together. 

Do I need prior performance experience?
No. All skill levels are welcome! Whether you’re a professional performer or just love to dance, we have a role for you.

Do I need to bring my own costume?
Yes, but guidelines will be provided for your decade/block. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find information about my assigned themed block?

More information about the “Together We Build!” themed blocks, including assignments and ways to participate creatively, is coming soon.

Can I volunteer with my group, band, dance troupe, or other creative organization?

Yes! Groups are encouraged to participate together. Bands, dance troupes, performing groups, arts organizations, cultural organizations, schools, and other creative groups are welcome.

Do I need prior performance or artistic experience?

No. All experience and skill levels are welcome. Whether you’re a professional artist or performer, part of a community group, or simply love to dance, make art, play music, or create, there is a role for you.

Do I need to bring my own costume?

You do not need a costume to participate. If you would like to wear a costume or themed clothing, we will provide guidance related to your “Together We Build!” block. Costumes and clothing should allow you to participate comfortably and safely in the Parade.