Programming and Education Assistant

Background:

Irish Arts Center (IAC) is a national and international home for the presentation, development and support of work from artists and cultural practitioners, both established and emerging, who work in Irish/Irish-American, or Irish-related contexts in traditional, contemporary, and modern disciplines. We provide cultural experiences that are innovative, dynamic, meet the highest standards of excellence, and celebrate our common humanity in an environment of Irish hospitality. Founded in 1972, throughout our history the Center has also provided community education programs and access to the arts for adults and children of all ages and ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. We seek to not just preserve the evolving traditions of Ireland and Irish America, but to project the modern and dynamic constituency of the global Irish in the 21st century, placing Irishness in conversation with the greater cultural ecosystem of New York City and the world over.

IAC has recently completed construction of a $60 million landmark new permanent home, including a state of the art flexible performance and arts space for the presentation and development of work across a range of disciplines, including music, dance, theatre, film, visual arts, literature and the humanities; classrooms and studio spaces for education programs, development, and collaboration; technology to stream and distribute content on the digital platform; and an avenue-facing lobby café that will be a hub for hospitality and interaction between artists and audiences. Thanks to the fortitude, discipline, creativity, and generosity of our people, Irish Arts Center has maintained stability throughout COVID-19, despite the interruption of construction and the suspension of in-person programming, and is ready to provide a beacon of hope for artists and audiences as part of New York’s cultural restoration.

The Position:

Irish Arts Center is seeking a full-time Programming and Education Assistant to join our programming and education team. This position will support the programming and education activities across the department, relating directly to the smooth administration and coordination of live events, classes, and digital programs. As Irish Arts Center moves into a new home and continues to develop processes for this new space, this role may evolve to meet changing needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

I. Programming Support

● Maintain and contribute to an up-to-date pipeline of creative submissions and programs identified for potential presentation by programming team
● Participate in and document departmental brainstorms and season planning meetings
● Support programming staff with planning, producing, and attending live events as needed
● Support Artist Services Manager on company management related items including as a second point of contact with artists and partners to ensure timely completion of paperwork, occasionally meeting internationally travelling artists upon their arrival in New York City, and assisting in social security appointments

II. Education Coordination

● Schedule and maintain calendar for over 40 in-person classes at Irish Arts Center and additional rental studios as needed for three to four seasonal 8-week class terms
● Schedule and maintain online calendar and recording system for online classes via the zoom platform for roughly 30 classes for three to four seasonal 8-week class terms
● Coordinate with the Director of Facilities in tandem with the development and programming team to identify space use conflicts and schedule additional rental studios or reschedule classes as needed
● Update class schedule and descriptions for marketing purposes (printed brochure, website, social media) as needed for each term’s sales cycle (4 times per year)
● Communicate with teaching staff via email about scheduling needs and conflicts on an ongoing basis
● Communicate with students about class information, schedule changes, surveys, membership opportunities and special events
● Support, as needed, in person “class attendant” role for first week of classes

III. Administrative Support

● Complete and submit payment requests and expense reports across the department
● Draft external communications and letters of support for grant and visa applications
● Secure merchandise and liaise with Audience Services Manager to track and report sales
● Review grant reports for accuracy and detail
● Manage department intern when applicable

This is a full time position with Monday through Friday office hours, and applicants should be willing to work evenings/weekends when required for programming or special events.

As IAC is committed to representing diverse identities in our artistic programming, so too are we committed to diverse representations in our administrative team. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and will consider all applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, creed (religion), color, sex (including gender expression), national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristic, marital status or domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary and Benefits
Salary range $48,000-$50,000. Benefits include employer-provided medical/dental/vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, and pre-tax savings on transit/parking.

Requirements

A passion for the arts and community engagement is crucial. The ideal candidate has exemplary organizational skills and should be extremely comfortable working on multiple projects simultaneously and managing conflicting priorities. An interest in event planning, production, and curation is helpful. Other core attributes of a successful candidate include:

● Exemplary organizational skills
● Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and demonstrated technical literacy
● Excellent written and oral communication skills
● Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
● Comfort communicating with people of varying backgrounds and ages via email, phone, on various video platforms, including Zoom, and in person
● A commitment to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace

Previous administrative experience and interest in arts nonprofit enterprise is preferred, but not essential.