International Arts and Artists (IA&A) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts internationally. IA&A fulfills its mission by providing programs and services to artists, arts institutions, cultural organizations, and the public. IA&A's programs include traveling exhibitions, cultural exchanges, educational workshops, and professional development opportunities.

Job purpose

The Gallery Assistant is the first person visitors meet at Hillyer’s Contemporary Art Center. About 80% of the role is spent at the gallery reception desk: welcoming visitors as they arrive and leave, answering their questions about the current exhibition, and helping them connect with Hillyer and International Arts & Artists (IA&A).

Between visitors, the assistant supports the gallery’s upcoming exhibitions, public programs, and outreach and communications projects, under the direction of the Hillyer Director. The rest of the role is hands-on: helping install exhibitions, setting up and running events, and managing audiovisual equipment.

This is a part-time, hourly position of 15–25 hours per week. Core hours are weekends, plus 1–2 weekdays and/or evenings to help with installations and gallery events.

Duties and responsibilities

Gallery Operations (about 80% of the role)

The Gallery Assistant attends the reception desk during regular gallery hours, currently 12–5 p.m. on weekends and 12–6 p.m. on weekdays, as well as special events that may start earlier or end later. At the desk, the assistant will:

• Greet visitors warmly and professionally as they arrive and leave.
• Know the current exhibition well enough to answer visitors’ questions about the artists and the work.
• Share information about IA&A, Hillyer, upcoming exhibitions and programs, and memberships.
• Collect visitor information, such as zip codes and how they heard about Hillyer.
• Encourage memberships, donations, and e-newsletter sign-ups, and collect donations from walk-in visitors, including at special events like First Friday art walks.
• Track daily attendance, visitor locations, programs, and revenue using spreadsheets.
• Keep the entrance, reception desk, and office clean and welcoming.
• Keep the digital equipment for signage and artist installations running each day.
• Follow security procedures for opening and closing the gallery.

Exhibition, program, and outreach projects

Between visitors, the assistant supports upcoming exhibitions, programs, and outreach and communications projects, as directed by the Hillyer Director. These may include:

• Drafting and scheduling social media posts, and listing events on Eventbrite and similar services.
• Writing, reviewing, and preparing materials for upcoming installations and programs, such as wall labels, flyers, brochures, and catalogs.
• Coordinating with artists and curators to prepare for upcoming programs and installations.
• Helping produce weekly and monthly e-newsletters.
• Updating the website with exhibitions, press releases, events, and support pages.
• Processing memberships in the CRM, preparing membership cards and reports, and helping build fundraising appeals in Bloomerang.
• Keeping an inventory of office and installation supplies.

Installation and public program support

The remaining time is hands-on work, often on weekdays or evenings outside regular gallery hours:

• Working with artists and curators to install and uninstall exhibitions.
• Printing, mounting, and hanging wall labels, and painting and patching gallery walls between exhibitions.
• Mounting and installing projectors and monitors, including wire management, and running AV for events.
• Setting up and tearing down chairs and tables for artist talks, panel discussions, and workshops.
• Giving program introductions and welcoming remarks, and handing out and processing program surveys.
• Taking photos and helping with video to document programs and events.
• Supporting venue rentals, including appointments, setup, and supervising events.
• Supporting guided and self-guided tours, and helping facilitate online programs.
• Organizing supply closets, tools, and equipment.
• Working with other gallery assistants and volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience.
• 1–2 years of experience working in a gallery, museum, or similar visitor-facing setting.
• A genuine interest in contemporary art and the ability to talk about it with visitors of all backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a service mindset, with the ability to balance the needs of artists, members, and visitors with the needs of the organization.
• Familiarity with exhibition installation and art handling.
• Experience creating content for professional social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, etc.).
• Comfortable with spreadsheets and basic office software.
• Able to do hands-on installation and event work, such as setting up tables and chairs, painting, and working on ladders.
• Available to work weekends, plus some weekdays and evenings.
• Able to work independently at the desk and collaboratively with the team, and to take direction on assigned tasks.
• Fluent in spoken and written English; additional languages are an asset.
• Experience in education, programming, or community engagement is a plus.
• A desire to work in a small, entrepreneurial, mission-driven nonprofit.

Compensation

This is a part-time, hourly position paid at $20.00 per hour, with an anticipated schedule of 15–25 hours per week.