Artistic Programming Coordinator

Artistic Programming Coordinator

Full-Time, Staten Island, NY

  

WHO WE ARE 

Snug Harbor is an expansive culture park on Staten Island where arts, nature, education, and history converge to offer dynamic programming, events, and festivals to our diverse community. Located less than 1.5 miles from the Staten Island Ferry and easily accessible by public transportation, Snug Harbor welcomes nearly 500,000 visitors each year. Visitors can explore multiple museums, performances, festivals, a farm, and 83 acres of gardens, parkland, woodland, and wetlands. 

  

Founded in 1976 as a nonprofit organization, Snug Harbor is one of the largest adaptive reuse projects in America, transforming a 19th-century charitable rest home for sailors into a vibrant hub of contemporary culture and community connection. Today, Snug Harbor’s mission is dedicated to creating a vibrant culture park in Staten Island offering arts, nature, history, education and events for all. 

 

THE POSITION  

The Artistic Programming Coordinator (APC) works closely with Snug Harbor’s Director & Senior Curator of the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art in the planning, development, and implementation of exhibitions, residencies, performances, and related programs. The APC is a creative, intrepid, organized, and intellectually curious individual who is committed to the arts on Staten Island and beyond. 

 

The ideal candidate will have experience organizing arts programming in the visual and performing arts in traditional and non-traditional venues, and enjoys working with artists, guest curators, staff, and organizational partners. The APC is knowledgeable about broad contemporary art subjects and practices and is adept at working on multiple projects simultaneously. The ideal candidate will feel comfortable and confident moving between administrative work and hands-on production work. This position works collaboratively within the Arts & Events team, as well as with other departments including Community Impact, External Affairs, Finance & Administration, and Operations & Facilities. 

 

The APC is a dynamic individual adept at administration as well as hands-on production work, with an interdisciplinary approach to arts programming. Candidates should be enterprising and self-motivated, with strong communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a deadline-driven and fast-paced workplace. Candidates should have experience producing exhibitions, performances, panel discussions, artist talks, workshops, and residencies. This position requires flexibility to work weekends and evenings to facilitate and/or represent the organization at events and community programming.  

  

RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Provide administrative assistance in all areas: program development and implementation, catalogue/brochure, wall text and signage, production, and documentation 

• Execute public programming in conjunction with Director & Sr. Curator, artists, and partners including residency programs, performances, gallery talks, and special events 

• Support the Director & Sr. Curator in conducting research, including budgets, timelines, and program design, to support the planning and development of departmental programs and organizational initiatives  

• Facilitate object loans for exhibitions, including condition reporting, object care, packing and logistics, labels and documentation with the oversite of the Director & Sr. Curator 

• Support with basic gallery and venue maintenance, including changing and adjusting light bulbs, painting, basic art handling and installation, and other responsibilities as assigned 

• Support in the coordination of live/work artist residencies including scheduling, contracts, accommodations, facilities maintenance, and public engagement 

• Schedule and supervise, and when necessary, assist, production personnel for exhibitions, performances, and other programming including art handlers, sound engineers, production assistance, and visitor services staff  

• In coordination with the Director & Sr. Curator, plan and supervise special events such as opening receptions, performances, gallery talks, including set up and break down of seating, front of house, and production related items, run of show, and managing reception staff  

• Support in departmental marketing and promotion efforts including social media, print and digital promotion 

• Assist with expense tracking, inventory, final reporting, and impact assessment across program portfolio  

• Liaise with artists on contracts, scheduling, and logistics for exhibitions, artist residencies, performances and programs  

• Coordinate communications between the department and artists, art handlers, organizational partners, and per-diem production staff 

• Provide communications support for arts programs including social media, print and digital outreach   

• Work collaboratively across departments to improve visitor experience, build partnerships, and strengthen community relations   

• Conduct studio visits and represent the organization at approved off-site industry events  

• Assist the Arts & Events team with additional administrative and production tasks as assigned by supervisor 

 

QUALIFICATIONS  

• Bachelor’s degree in arts, arts administration, or related field preferred 

• 2-3 years of experience within a role that combines administrative and hands-on production capacity within the visual and/or performing arts  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Fluency in English; additional language competencies a plus   

• Ability to work independently and with a team; to be adaptable, exercise diplomacy, and make independent decisions  

• High attention to detail, exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills  

• Notable ability to implement and manage multiple projects and timelines with precision, transparency, and accountability  

• Demonstrated experience working with artists and community partners in cultural settings, familiarity with the diverse cultural communities of Staten Island a plus 

• Foundational knowledge of industry standards in sound and lighting production for the visual and performing arts  

• Solid understanding of best practices and trends within the arts and cultural sector and willingness to increase knowledge 

• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, Mac and PC operating systems, and social media platforms  

• Demonstrated experience in event management, expense tracking, customer service and hospitality, preferably within a cultural non-profit setting  

• Ability to work weekends, evenings and special events as needed  

• Valid NYS driver’s license and access to a vehicle is a plus 

• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.  

  

SALARY AND BENEFITS  

This is a full-time position. Hourly wage is commensurate with experience, ranging from $22.50 to $24.50 per hour.  Snug Harbor offers a generous vacation/holiday schedule and participation in the Cultural Institutions Retirement System pension plan. 

 

This position is scheduled for working approximately 35 hours per week, with weekend and evening work regularly required.  

TO APPLY  

Snug Harbor is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to the treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.