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Visitor Engagement Representative
SculptureCenter, one of New York’s most adventurous kunsthalles, seeks a part-time Visitor Engagement Representative (VER) to create a positive and welcoming environment for visitors.
Position Summary
Visitor Engagement Representatives (VER) report to the Visitor Services Coordinator (VSC) and are responsible for the reception and engagement of visitors, sales transactions, and overseeing the gallery spaces. VER are expected to be knowledgeable about the artists and work on view, have a basic understanding of the surrounding Long Island City neighborhood, and further engage visitors and our understanding of them through surveys, conversation, and observation. Working with SculptureCenter staff, VER are expected to have an understanding of, and commitment to, strategic initiatives and audience development.
As a member of the public-facing team, VER also play an important role in ensuring that COVID19-related health and safety guidelines and policies are maintained.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Visitor services:
- Greeting and receiving gallery visitors, tracking attendance
- Validating timed tickets
- Answering questions in person and over the phone about ticketing, exhibitions, facilities, location, and safety regulations
- Conducting retail sales (publications, merchandise, and limited editions)
- Ensuring the reception desk and bookstore are stocked and have a clean professional appearance
Gallery management:
- Monitor visitors and ensure their understanding and compliance with museum regulations in a welcoming, professional manner
- Turn exhibitions on and off; inspect all artwork for damage, wear and tear, lighting problems, etc. and immediately report any problems
- Ensure front entrance, courtyard, and bathrooms are clean and in good working order; and immediately report any issues to the VSC
Public programs and events:
- Act as front desk representative on day/evening of events, working with VSC, other staff, and external event producers as required
Qualifications
- Excellent interpersonal skills, over the phone and in person
- Passionate commitment to contemporary art
- Reliable, with strong organizational abilities, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Excellent computer skills with knowledge of Gmail, Word, and Excel
- Customer service and familiarity with POS systems, experience with Shopify and Blackbaud Altru preferred
Schedule
Approximately 14-20 hours per week; must be available to work Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The VER will not be scheduled during exhibition installation periods when the museum is closed to the public. Additional hours for SculptureCenter events on weeknight and weekend evenings are occasionally required.
To Apply
Submit cover letter and resume, as attachments, to HR@sculpture-center.org with “VER - 2022” in the subject line. Deadline to apply: May 22, 2022. No telephone calls please.
Marketing and Communications Manager
SculptureCenter is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced communications and marketing professional to further build SculptureCenter’s reputation as an organization devoted to emerging artists. The Marketing and Communications Manager reports directly to the Director of Advancement and works closely with all members of the SculptureCenter staff as well as the Board of Trustees, artists, strategic partners, and independent contractors. The Marketing and Communications Manager will spearhead all of the museum’s marketing and promotion activities, media relations, social media, audience development, and merchandising, including Limited Editions. This position is responsible for developing and implementing innovative, proactive strategies to build audience engagement, and develop opportunities that further reinforce the identity of the organization while increasing visibility.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:
Marketing and Public Relations
- Manage communication and advertising schedule. Develop creative strategies to promote SculptureCenter’s mission and specific programs. Write, edit, and manage production of all printed and electronic promotional materials ensuring consistency and clarity. Identify potential marketing partnerships and implement collaborative projects.
- Manage content for sculpture-center.org and oversee contracted web developers.
- Develop strategies to increase audiences and maintain an active presence on all social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube/Vimeo, and Soundcloud. Develop and manage all content for social media and other digital promotions, including exhibition listings on external websites.
- Manage SculptureCenter’s email list. Produce and publish all mass email communications including monthly e-newsletter, exhibition announcements, and program invitations.
- Contribute to press strategy, develop press materials, serve as primary press contact, and report to staff and Board on press placements. Manage outside PR consultants. Cultivate and maintain direct relationships with editors and writers. Secure media placements and reviews for exhibitions, programs, events, and institutional happenings.
- Maintain and promote SculptureCenter brand; refining and implementing organizational style guide. Oversee all printed and digital collateral materials; manage outside designers.
- SculptureCenter brand throughout the museum, including: Visitor Service desk, didactic materials, and inventory and merchandising for museum shop.
- Work together with Visitor Services on bookstore promotions, merchandising, and on-site and web-based sales.
Limited Edition Projects
- In conjunction with the Director of Advancement, identify artists to produce limited edition artworks to benefit SculptureCenter. Work directly with artists to develop artwork, research and coordinate production and packaging.
- Design and execute marketing and sales strategy for each edition and for the program as a whole, which may include advertising, art fairs, direct mail, and/or events. Meet annual earned income revenue goals for Limited Edition sales.
Community Relations
- Represent SculptureCenter and work closely with peers at other community organizations including the Long Island City Cultural Alliance (LICCA), the Museums Council of New York City, and the American Association of Museums.
- Represent SculptureCenter and cultivate new audiences at art openings, community meetings and events, and art world events. Seek opportunities to identify new brand partnerships for specific exhibitions and programs, and general organizational strategies within LIC, NYC, and beyond.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of the contemporary art world, an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and enthusiasm for promoting arts and culture.
Requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field (e.g. communications, marketing, etc.)
- Minimum of three years’ experience working in a similar role for a museum, gallery, or communications firm with increasing responsibility, and knowledge of the contemporary art field and artists.
- Experience with website content management systems. Basic HTML knowledge is a plus.
- Experience with MailChimp or similar email marketing platforms.
- Comfort with social media platforms.
- Experience or interest in learning Google Analytics and Google Ads.
- Introductory knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and/or Canva is a plus.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated leadership ability.
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Experience managing a budget.
- An ability to develop positive, effective relationships with Board members, art collectors, donors, journalists, artists, and colleagues is critical.
To apply, please submit a professional cover letter describing your qualifications and relevant experience, resume, and salary requirements to hr@sculpture-center.org with “Marketing 2021” in the subject line.
Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.
Internships
Our internship program is temporarily suspended. Please check back here or sign up for our newsletter for future updates about the program.
Working with a small staff in an open office environment, SculptureCenter interns take on projects that have a direct and visible outcome in our exhibitions, public programs, and events. They leave the program with a range of professional skills important for working in the field of contemporary art and hands-on experience working in a non-profit art institution.
Public Process High School Internship Program
For more information about SculptureCenter's free three-week summer intensive program for high school students, visit the Public Process page.