Assistant of Public Programs & Academic Engagement (Temporary)

The temporary Assistant of Public Programs & Academic Engagement will support the planning and implementation of all aspects of the Whitney’s public programs and academic engagement initiatives, including artist-created events, lectures and conversations, gallery talks, symposia, and other learning opportunities for adult and academic audiences. The Assistant will work on all aspects of program logistics and implementation with colleagues across the Museum, including outreach, evaluation, and accessibility. S/he contributes to ongoing effort to make programming inclusive and welcoming to all visitors.

This is a limited-term engagement with an expected end date of June 30, 2025.

Key Responsibilities

• Supports logistical planning, administrative management, scheduling, and implementing all events and initiatives organized by Public Programs and Academic Engagement department.
• Responsible for departmental administrative work, including but not limited to supporting the budget process, managing supplies, handling invoices, and coordinating contracts and payment for speakers, educators, performers and/or vendors.
• Schedules all program photography and documentation
• Collaborates with colleagues in Communications, Marketing and Membership, and Digital on program promotion and audience development
• Collaborates with colleagues in the Education Department and across the Museum in the planning, coordination, and running of large-scale, Museum-wide initiatives including Free Second Sundays, as well as large- and small-scale events for audiences to learn in experiential ways in a variety of spaces in/around the Whitney’s new building.
• Track program attendance and coordinate audience research in partnership with the Strategy and Planning Department

Position Requirements:

• B.A. required, with a background in art history, art, art/museum education, or related field
• 1+ years experience administrative and/or production experience in museums or other cultural organizations
• Excellent time management skills; comfort working in a fast-paced environment; ability to manage multiple tasks and ongoing projects at once;
• Demonstrated interest in contemporary art
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills;
• Computer and database proficiency required; MS Office;
• Ability to work evening hours and some weekends for events required.

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay rate of $30 per hour
• Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit
• Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.

About the Whitney The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.

EEO Statement The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.

Find more opportunities on our Whitney Museum of American Art page.

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