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Artwork & Operations Associate

Artwork & Operations Associate

Foundation for Contemporary ArtsNew York, New York, US
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FCA encourages, sponsors, and promotes innovative work in the arts. FCA depends on artists to fund its programs; to date, over 1,000 artists have contributed paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, performances, and videos to help fund grant programs that directly support individual artists working in dance, music / sound, performance art / theater, poetry, and the visual arts. FCA is uniquely created and sustained by artists to benefit artists.

About the Foundation for Contemporary Arts

www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org

Since its inception in 1963, the mission of the Foundation for Contemporary Arts (FCA) is to encourage, sponsor, and promote innovative work in the arts. FCA was founded by and depends on artists and a community of like-minded supporters—including philanthropic individuals, foundations, and government agencies—to fund its programs. To date, over 1,000 artists have contributed artworks to help fund grant programs that directly support individual artists. FCA annually awards unrestricted, by-nomination grants to 23 artists working in dance, music / sound, performance art / theater, poetry, and the visual arts in recognition of their artistic contributions; and maintains a by-application emergency grants fund, decided and disbursed monthly, to help over 200 artists per year with unexpected presentation opportunities and project-related emergencies. In 2025, FCA’s inaugural Creative Research Grants provided 30 artists with $10,000 awards to support critical exploratory phases of their artistic process. Since FCA’s inception, more than 7,500 grants awarded to artists and arts organizations—soon to surpass $30 million—have provided opportunities for creative exploration and realization of new work.

An organization founded by artists, for artists, FCA has grown carefully over decades—and is focused today on strategic and sustainable growth of artist support through our core programs, and our capacity to meet the evolving needs of the experimental field. For more information about FCA and its programs, please visit our website.

Job Description

FCA is seeking a full-time, permanent Artwork and Operations Associate, a pivotal role in our team of eight. The role provides essential coordination of FCA’s artwork contributions, benefit exhibitions and annual sales activities and related special events in support of the organization’s mission. The role works closely with the Finance and Operations Manager to ensure the safe handling, exhibition, and storage of contributed artwork in the Foundation’s care and support the fulfillment of all sales. The Artwork and Operations Associate reports to and provides dedicated administrative support to the Executive Director for Board-related activities and correspondence.

FCA is committed to cultivating access, accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace and programs. We value the perspectives and contributions of staff to achieving all aspects of our mission.

Core Responsibilities

Executive and Board Support

  • Coordinate Board, committee and external stakeholder meetings and events including scheduling, materials, minutes and logistics
  • Support Board administration, onboarding and annual policy-related documents
  • Draft and issue correspondence; provide administrative support as needed

­Artwork Contributions

  • Coordinate with contributing artists to receive and acknowledge all donated work
  • Catalogue, photograph, and track artwork and poster contributions; arrange for framing, conservation, and storage as needed
  • Maintain physical inventory and accurate database records, conduct comparative pricing research on new contributions and periodic revaluation of FCA’s collection with seasonal support
  • Administer consignment, loan, and release-of-work agreements as needed
  • Coordinate art shipping / handling and maintain related supplies

    • Benefit Exhibitions and Sales

  • Support the Executive Director and Board benefit exhibition committee to conceptualize, plan and execute periodic benefit exhibitions and related special events (two in every five-year period);
  • Liaise with exhibition curator(s) and gallery, ensuring collaborative planning and clear communication among all parties
  • Manage timelines and logistics for artwork transportation, handling, and care
  • In coordination with the Development and Communications team, support print, web and social media marketing as well as the exhibition opening and related public events
  • Coordinate art sales fulfillment
  • Organize periodic online sales or promotions of artworks in non-exhibition years
  • Develop and implement placement and sales strategies as appropriate

    • Operations Administration

  • Create and maintain organizational records and archives in print and digital formats
  • Administer vendor and consignment relationships in areas of responsibility; administer third-party platforms supporting artwork sales
  • Compile expense and art sales documentation
  • Assist in recruiting Arts Administration interns; provide guidance on site
  • Other duties as assigned

    • Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in arts or humanities field or equivalent work experience preferred
  • 2-3 years of administrative experience, preferably in an arts organization; prior arts administration, museum / gallery art handling, registrar, or sales experience a plus
  • Excellent and sensitive written and spoken communication skills; ability to liaise with all stakeholders
  • Interest in and knowledge of contemporary and experimental visual arts, performance, and poetry
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
  • Self-motivated with strong time management and creative troubleshooting skills
  • Proactive, detail-oriented, and solution-driven
  • Fluency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Workspace equivalents
  • Experience working with database and inventory systems (ArtBase or Artlogic) preferred

    • Compensation and Hours

    The position is full-time, exempt. Compensation range is $65,000 - $75,000 per year, commensurate with experience. FCA provides medical, dental, and vision insurance at no cost to full-time employees, paid holidays (including a winter break), 15 days of paid vacation annually, and a Simple IRA employer-matched retirement plan. FCA’s staff works on a hybrid schedule with three days per week in person at FCA’s New York City office. This position involves periodic in-person events outside normal business hours.

    Equal Opportunity Employment

    FCA is committed to providing access, accessibility, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for disabled people and individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to access or participate in the job application or interview process, and / or to perform essential job functions please contact Kathleen Flynn, 212-807-7077, kf@contemporary-arts.org .

    If you believe that you could excel in this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds.

    To Apply

    Please submit a cover letter and resume.  Preference will be given to applications received by August 15.

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    Operation Associate • New York, New York, US