Gallery Assistant (Part-Time)

International Arts & Artists•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Gallery Assistant is the first point of contact for visitors at Hillyer’s Contemporary Art Center. About 80% of the role is spent at the reception desk, welcoming visitors, answering questions about current exhibitions, and sharing information about Hillyer and International Arts & Artists (IA&A). Between visitors, the assistant supports exhibitions, public programs, outreach, and communications projects under the direction of the Hillyer Director. The remaining time involves hands-on exhibition installation, event setup and operation, and audiovisual support. This is a part-time, hourly position paid at $20.00 per hour, with an anticipated schedule of 15–25 hours per week. Core hours are weekends, plus 1–2 weekdays and/or evenings for installations and gallery events. Regular gallery hours are currently 12–5 p.m. on weekends and 12–6 p.m. on weekdays; special events may start earlier or end later.

Requirements

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.
Genuine interest in contemporary art and ability to discuss it with visitors of all backgrounds.
Strong interpersonal skills and a service mindset, with ability to balance the needs of artists, members, and visitors with those of the organization.
Familiarity with exhibition installation and art handling.
Experience creating content for professional social media accounts, such as Instagram and Facebook.
Comfort with spreadsheets and basic office software.
Ability to perform hands-on installation and event work, including setting up tables and chairs, painting, and working on ladders.
Availability to work weekends and some weekdays and evenings.
Ability to work independently at the desk and collaboratively with the team, and to take direction on assigned tasks.
Fluency in spoken and written English.

Nice To Haves

Additional language skills.
Experience in education, programming, or community engagement.
Desire to work in a small, entrepreneurial, mission-driven nonprofit.

Responsibilities

Staff the reception desk during regular gallery hours and special events.
Greet visitors professionally and answer questions about current exhibitions, artists, and artworks.
Share information about IA&A, Hillyer, upcoming exhibitions and programs, and memberships.
Collect visitor information, encourage memberships, donations, and e-newsletter sign-ups, and collect walk-in donations.
Track daily attendance, visitor locations, programs, and revenue using spreadsheets.
Keep the entrance, reception desk, and office clean and welcoming.
Keep digital equipment for signage and artist installations running, and follow gallery opening and closing security procedures.
Draft and schedule social media posts and list events on Eventbrite and similar services.
Prepare exhibition and program materials such as wall labels, flyers, brochures, and catalogs.
Coordinate with artists and curators in preparation for programs and installations.
Help produce weekly and monthly e-newsletters and update the website with exhibitions, press releases, events, and support pages.
Process memberships in the CRM, prepare membership cards and reports, and help build fundraising appeals in Bloomerang.
Maintain an inventory of office and installation supplies.
Work with artists and curators to install and uninstall exhibitions; print, mount, and hang wall labels; and paint and patch gallery walls.
Mount and install projectors and monitors, manage wires, and run audiovisual equipment for events.
Set up and take down chairs and tables for talks, panels, and workshops.
Give program introductions and welcoming remarks, distribute and process program surveys, and photograph or help film programs and events.
Support venue rentals, including appointments, setup, and event supervision.
Support guided and self-guided tours and help facilitate online programs.
Organize supply closets, tools, and equipment; collaborate with other gallery assistants and volunteers; and perform other duties as assigned.