Seasonal Arts Associate

This is a Full Time Job

POSITION

The Trust for Governors Island seeks candidates to support seasonal programming led by Governors Island Arts, the Trust for Governors Island's arts and culture program.

The Seasonal Arts Associate position is an hourly, seasonal (estimated 6-month term from late April 2025 to late October 2025) on-site position on Governors Island working Wednesday - Sundays. Reporting to the Trust for Governors Island's Associate Curator and Producer, and Head Curator, the position serves a critical role in supporting Governors Island Arts programs and produced events, including a public art exhibition, performances, Organizations in Residence, and other duties as assigned. The Seasonal Arts Associate assists with on-site event set up and break down (including A/V and sound equipment operation), docent and visitor services duties, resident organization administrative duties, communication, and liaising, and more. The Seasonal Art Associate offers the highest level of customer service to all visitors, partners, and artists, creating a welcoming environment for everyone. This position requires weekend and holiday working availability.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
• BA, associate's degree, or comparable training and vocational education with a focus on visual art, art history, project management, arts administration, or related fields.

Experience:
• 1-2 years' experience in residency programs, art production, events, public programming, producing, and/or live performance.
• Experience operating sound equipment (PA systems, audio mixers, mics, cables), portable/generator power, and other production equipment related to small/mid/large-scale events.
• Familiarity with working with artists.
• Experience working in an outdoor event environment is preferred.

Responsibilities:
• Act as on-site liaison with resident organizations, artists, and other Governors Island Arts partners and larger weekend Trust staff.
• Provide Governors Island Arts on-site information to the public.
• Manage RSVP and ticketed lists for Governors Island Arts programs and events.
• Collect relevant Governors Island Arts visitor information.
• Greet visitors attending events presented by Governors Island Arts on Governors Island.
• Ensure audience engagement and safety protocols are adhered to.
• Notify supervisory staff and/or security staff of any emergency situations immediately as they occur.
• Assist in management of audience capacity as related to Public Art, performances, and other events
• Assist in setting up and breaking down events, including A/V equipment, chairs, tables, extension cords, signage, etc.
• Ability to respond to unexpected situations and act quickly to ensure the safety of partners, artists, and visitors

Skills and Abilities:
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with an ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently, follow through on all assigned projects and maintain open lines of communication at all times
• Comfort working in an outdoor environment for long periods of time and in varying weather conditions
• Comfort setting up and operating sound and lighting equipment
• Experience working in a theater, venue, museum, art gallery, or outdoor public space environment preferred
• Demonstrated interest in public art and Governors Island, and be comfortable speaking with visitors to share information and insights on the artwork, presenting partners, the artist's practice, Governors Island, and related historical context
• Ability to work a combination of weekday and weekend shifts, including holidays, on an as needed basis
• Proficient in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Google suite, and other similar cloud based applications
• Valid Driver's License required
• Resident of the greater New York City region
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs and stand for long periods of time
• Proficient in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Salary Range: $19-$22 per hour
Location & Schedule: All positions are located on Governors Island. The position is in-person five days a week (Wednesday through Sunday).

TO APPLY

We realize that not all applicants match 100% of the qualifications for a role. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for this role, we encourage you to apply.

Please send a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document with ''Seasonal Arts Associate'' in the subject line. No phone calls please.

The Trust for Governors Island values the importance of inclusion, accessibility and a diverse pool of applicants. The Trust for Governors Island does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, genetic information, marital status, membership in an employee organization, military service, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, or other non-merit factor.

ABOUT THE TRUST FOR GOVERNORS ISLAND

The Trust for Governors Island (The Trust) is a nonprofit corporation created by the City of New York. It is responsible for the redevelopment and operation of 150 acres of Governors Island. The Trust's mission is to realize the full potential of Governors Island for the inspiration and enjoyment of all New Yorkers, demonstrating a bold vision for public space.

ABOUT GOVERNORS ISLAND ARTS

Governors Island Arts, the public arts and cultural program presented by the Trust for Governors Island, creates transformative encounters with art for all New Yorkers, inviting artists and researchers to engage with the issues of our time in the context of the Island's layered histories, environments, and architecture.
We achieve this mission through:
• Public Art Commissions: Long term and temporary works from multidisciplinary artists that are sited within Governors Island's park and historic landscapes
• Organizations in Residence: An annual open call inviting cultural organizations to present exhibitions, hold free public programs and host artist residencies within the Island's historic former military houses. Over the next decade, the City of New York and the Trust for Governors Island will invest in evolving this seasonal program into year-round permanent homes for cultural organizations on Governors Island
• Public Programs: Free events and programs, often presented in partnership with a diverse range of NYC cultural organizations