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Work at SVACEmployment Opportunities

Finance Manager (Part or Full Time)

Southern Vermont Arts Center seeks a part-time Finance Manager at an exciting period of organizational growth. The Finance Manager oversees SVAC’s finance and accounting functions. She/he works closely with SVAC’s Executive Director on the implementation of systems to improve the financial efficiency of the organization and to strengthen its infrastructure as it works toward its upcoming first audit. She/he works closely with the Treasurer and Finance Committee to report and forecast the organization’s finances on a monthly basis.

This is a part-time position, averaging 24 hours per week, but we are open to discussing a FT role for the right candidate.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Finance and Bookkeeping:

  • Provides consistent and accurate accrual based financial statements, and helps ensure that SVAC is following best practices as required by GAAP.
  • Collects W9s for Independent Contractors requiring 1099s prior to sending payment.
  • Inputs all income and expenses into QBO, performs bank deposits for cash/checks received, pays all bills and reconciles QBO reports against our development CRM monthly.
  • Reconciles bank and investment statements with QBO on a monthly and quarterly basis
  • Tracks Accounts receivable and Accounts payable
  • Tracks restricted grants and releases income as restrictions met
  • Coordinates art, shop, and membership sales between CRM, POS, and QBO, tracking artists’ commissions and payments.
  • Leads the institution in preparations for its upcoming first financial audit.

Payroll

  • Assists Deputy Director with payroll (bi-weekly) and associated taxes
  • Assists in proper documentation for HR related issues (i.e. unemployment claims, federal loan payments and documentation)
  • Advises key staff on proper payment of independent contractors and required tax documentation

Financial Reporting

  • Monitor and maintain control of budgets, forecasts, and cash flow.
  • Prepare monthly and annual financial reports to be shared with the Board; ensure that relevant and accurate financial data is presented.
  • Work with senior staff to forecast expenses and income on a monthly basis.
  • Manages State and Federal tax filings, audits, budget preparation, and financial reporting needs with Executive Director and Treasurer.

Additional Responsibilities

  • A key responsibility is Primary liaison to the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees: creates reports and budgets, coordinates meetings, assembles and disseminates materials, participates in meetings and records minutes as needed.
  • Ensure that key systems and processes are documented.
    Establish and ensure compliance with business and financial policies and accounting practices.

Qualifications

  • CPA license required
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Management, or Finance required
  • Minimum of five years of Accounting/Finance experience that includes experience of final responsibility for budget development and monitoring, and for the quality and content of all financial data and reporting for an organization or significant program area.
  • Experience with nonprofit accounting.
  • Experience managing budgets over $1M with multiple revenue sources.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
  • Demonstrated success developing and monitoring financial and administrative systems to support operational work and create efficiencies.
  • Experience with IT, software, and cloud-based database management. Proficiency in QuickBooks Online preferred
  • High degree of personal integrity, honesty, credibility and commitment to SVAC’s mission; demonstrates excellent judgement regarding confidential information.
  • Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written
  • Highly organized and able to maintain detailed records.

Compensation
The pay range for the position is $35-40/hour

To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to:
Amelia Wiggins, Executive Director
Southern Vermont Arts Center
awiggins@svac.org

About SVAC:
Southern Vermont Arts Center draws on Vermont’s spectacular landscape and vibrant artistic heritage to inspire lifelong relationships with the arts for all. Through its exhibitions, performances, educational programs, and extraordinary setting at the foot of Mount Equinox, SVAC shares the power of art with growing audiences from all walks of life.

Weekend Gallery and Sales Associate

The Gallery & Sales Associate manages a busy front desk, provides a welcoming environment for all guests and visitors, and helps with support projects during quieter times. The right candidate will enjoy a variety of responsibilities, but first and foremost is creating a positive experience for visitors, artists, and patrons — in person or on the phone. Hand in hand with a friendly attitude is proficiency in customer service/sales platforms, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office. CRM experience is a plus. Typical work hours are Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Duties include: 

  • Operate as a front desk receptionist and museum shop and art sales representative
  • Opening, closing, and securing buildings/galleries
  • Phone and email inquiry response
  • Processing admissions, memberships, and donations
  • Stay knowledgeable about exhibitions, artists, events, and membership opportunities 
  • Light administrative tasks as assigned

What we’re looking for:

  • Proficiency in Google Drive/Docs/Sheets, Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)
  • Interest in education/art/art history/design
  • Customer service experience
  • Administrative/Receptionist experience
  • Outgoing and positive attitude

Priority will be given to candidates who have experience in one or more of the following areas, but they are not requirements:

  • Art handling
  • Art gallery/museum experience
  • Customer relationship management software

This is a non-exempt position with an hourly pay rate of $20.

To Apply
Please send a resume and letter of interest to: hr@svac.org

Advancement Coordinator

Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) seeks a highly organized, friendly, and technologically capable part-time Advancement Coordinator. The ideal candidate is very detail-oriented, professional, and is motivated to support the fundraising functions of SVAC.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Administrative support for Advancement

  • Perform timely and accurate data entry of constituent data and donor gifts
  • Generate gift receipts and coordinate donor acknowledgements
  • Work with the Business Manager to coordinate gift deposits and reconcile donor database with accounting on monthly basis
  • Assist with appeal mailings and Annual Report
  • Track campaign gifts and pledges
  • Track and maintain list of donor naming opportunities
  • Prepare sponsorship request materials and support sponsor communications
  • Plan and coordinate fundraising and stewardship events, including annual Gala, gatherings for Director’s Circle and Contemporaries giving groups, capital campaign events, and “Meet the Funders” event
  • Assist with donor communications across platforms
  • Collaborate with the Manager of Visitor & Membership Experience to strengthen the pipeline between membership and donor groups
  • Communicate with donors to offer assistance, schedule meetings with Executive Director, and update records
  • Schedule board, committee, and all staff meetings

Database management

  • First two months: engage in CRM database training (Alpine Humanitru) 
  • Assist staff throughout the organization with database use
  • Serve as the primary contact for Alpine’s  SVAC client account support
  • Clean up and maintain constituent records with a meticulous eye for detail
  • Document stewardship activity in database, including Executive Director’s donor interactions
  • Manage memberships for staff, board, and donors at Director’s Circle and Contemporaries levels
  • Generate regular fundraising and constituent reports from the database

Additional administrative office duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

  • High level of attention to detail and accuracy. Self-motivated to create and maintain systems to ensure errors are caught and corrected in a timely manner
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills. Ability to independently prioritize, coordinate, and complete tasks and projects
  • Experience in an administrative role in a professional setting
  • Excellent customer service skills with the ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and professional demeanor
  • Strong professional communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Team player with a positive, cooperative, productive attitude
  • Excellent computer skills and proficiency with word-processing, spreadsheets, Google Workplace including online file maintenance, online calendaring, and email. Able to quickly learn new programs and software applications
  • Experience with data entry in a constituent database, especially donor management software, is desired but not required
  • Experience in advancement (fundraising) activities is desired but not required
  • Experience planning, organizing, and coordinating events is desired but not required
  • Excitement for SVAC’s mission and service to the community

Position Classification

  • Part time, non-exempt, averaging 25 hours per week
  • In-person position
  • Flexible schedule, ideally M/W/F
  • $25/hour

Working Conditions
Ability to work in a shared office environment subject to interruptions. Requires a great deal of interaction with the public in person and via other means of communication. Involves some outdoor work, including moving from various buildings around campus. Occasional evening/weekend hours required for donor/member events.

About Southern Vermont Arts Center
Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) is a multidisciplinary arts organization in Manchester, VT with a mission to promote and nurture the arts. SVAC strives to provide opportunities for local and regional artists, to introduce the wider community to artwork and performances of national relevance, and to engage diverse audiences. To do this, SVAC creates a community space for the arts through exhibitions, events, performances, and classes in a variety of media for children and adults, and an opportunity to explore the 100+ acre campus and sculpture park.

To Apply
Please send cover letter and resume to: hr@svac.org

Curator, Modern & Contemporary Art

Southern Vermont Arts Center seeks a Curator at an exciting time of growth centered on sharing the story of Vermont art with all. The Curator, Modern & Contemporary Art will be a key leadership position responsible for setting the vision for SVAC’s modern and contemporary art collection, its representation of regional contemporary artists, and its program of temporary exhibitions.

Permanent Collection
SVAC has a nearly 100-year history of showcasing Southern Vermont artists, with a vibrant community of approximately 300 artist members and 40,000 annual visitors today. The Permanent Collection is comprised of over 1,000 paintings, sculpture, and works on paper by prominent American Regionalists including Reginald Marsh, Guy Pene duBois, Harriette Gowen Miller, Ogden Pleissner, Jay Hall Connaway, Marion Huse, Luigi Lucioni, Bernadine Custer Sharp, and Robert Strong Woodward, among others. For the first time this fall, the collection is being shared as a free online resource, part of a larger multi-phase project to document the collection managed by a highly experienced contract consulting Curator. SVAC is entering into planning phases for the creation of permanent galleries to share the collection with the public. SVAC’s campus also includes a 10-acre sculpture garden with exciting opportunities for future growth.

As we deepen our work with the collection, the Curator will lead the development of a collection plan, collection management strategy, and conservation planning. The Curator will also guide the planning for permanent collection installation and develop interpretation to share the story of Vermont art with the public. 

Contemporary Art
The Curator will create connections between the Art Center’s history and the rich artistic community working in Vermont today. This position will be key to fostering and growing SVAC’s relationships with a deep network of artists throughout the region. The Curator will lead the next chapter of SVAC’s presentation of regional contemporary art and guide SVAC’s work to support our artist community.

Exhibitions
The Curator will develop and execute a program of exhibitions that attracts, engages, and inspires growing audiences of locals and visitors. The Curator is responsible for development, installation, and management of all exhibitions at SVAC in both the Wilson Museum and Yester House.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

  • Conceive and develop exhibitions and gallery installations to attract and engage a wide range of audiences, with a special focus on sharing the story of Vermont art. Execute exhibitions from initial idea through final installation. Guide the planning for a permanent collection installation and future gallery rotations.
  • Work closely with the Executive Director to forge and foster relationships with arts funders, supporters, and partners, both within and beyond the Southern Vermont region. Attracting strong grant funding for the exhibition program and upcoming collection installation is a primary objective. Cultivating relationships with partner organizations including universities and art museums is also essential.
  • Develop annual work plans, budgets, and goals for Collections and Exhibitions, aligned with forthcoming institutional strategic planning. Manage a balanced budget and forecast expenses and income opportunities as we plan for growth.
  • Develop an SVAC Collections Plan to define the scope and management of the permanent collection, ensuring compliance with professional ethics codes including the American Alliance of Museums. Guide the development of the collection, including identifying and suggesting gifts and purchases.

Qualifications

  • Contagious passion for sharing art with others and an interpretive philosophy that centers visitor engagement.
  • Five years’ curatorial experience in a museum or exhibiting arts organization and a Master’s degree in Art History with extensive knowledge of contemporary and/or modern art is required. Experience working with living artists and knowledge of American Regionalist artists is desired.
  • Strong storytelling and writing skills that include compelling public speaking, an engaging writing voice that welcomes the broadest possible public into the conversation around art, and the ability to successfully interact with a wide range of stakeholders including community leaders, donors, and artists.
  • Proven record of attracting grant funding for exhibitions and/or research. Demonstrated experience in donor cultivation and stewardship.
  • Excellent problem-solving, planning, and organizational skills, with the ability to execute multiple projects and responsibilities. The ability to navigate a complex workload independently and take initiative to prioritize, pivot, and recommend changes when needed is especially desired.
  • A hands-on, collaborative attitude. Comfortable rolling up sleeves and carrying out tasks at all levels to execute plans. Ability to build trust and partnership across SVAC’s small, hardworking staff is essential.
  • Experience handling art and proper care and conservation of works. 
  • Knowledge of research tools and methodologies.
  • Availability for periodic evening and weekend openings and exhibition events.

Salary and benefits:
The salary range for the position is $65,000-$75,000. SVAC does not offer health insurance but offers vision and dental coverage.

To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to: 

Amelia Wiggins, Executive Director
Southern Vermont Arts Center
awiggins@svac.org

Summer Art Educators

JUNE 11–AUGUST 29, 2025
Summer Camp Lead Teaching Artist Positions

Southern Vermont Arts Center seeks art educators to lead children’s day camps in our classrooms and outdoors on our 100-acre campus. We welcome applicants with strengths in visual arts, performing arts, crafts and more. 

Requirements:

  • Design and plan engaging curriculum with support of SVAC Manager of Education
  • Prepare for and pivot as needed to create a safe, positive, structured environment
  • Possess classroom and/or art center teaching experience with youth
  • Demonstrate a thoughtful, warm, energetic approach
  • Exhibit flexibility in meeting the needs of diverse learners
  • Provide camp counselors with appropriate guidance
  • Demonstrate sincere interest in the artistic development and social-emotional welfare of each camper
  • Provide background check authorization
  • Complete First Aid/CPR training at SVAC or separately and provide certification
  • Exhibit the highest professional standards and ethical behavior with campers, families, SVAC staff and museum visitors

Schedule
Camps run one week, M–F. Teaching artists arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before the start of camp and allow time for cleanup after camp each day. Most camps run for full days. Some half-day slots exist. Campers are present on one of the following schedules:
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
12–3 p.m.
1–4 p.m.

Compensation:
Instructor payment for camp is $1000 per week for full days and $700 for half days. 

To Apply:
Please send the following by December 15, 2024.

  • Title, description, age range and sample lesson plan for a one-week-long camp
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Contact information for two professional references
  • Weeks available within the window June 11–August 22, 2025

Submit materials to Erin Kaufman, SVAC Manager of Education, at ekaufman@svac.org. Please contact Erin with questions by email or phone at 802-367-1306.

Summer Camp Assistant

JUNE 11–AUGUST 29, 2025

Southern Vermont Arts Center is looking for camp assistants to work one or more weeks during the summer. We welcome applicants who have an interest in working with children and adults in a fast-paced, arts-oriented environment. 

Responsibilities:

  • Help children with visual art and/or performance projects
  • Help children with whatever else they need
  • Help teachers with studio setup and cleanup
  • Help with lunch coverage, errands and administrative tasks for children’s camps
  • Demonstrate a thoughtful, warm, energetic approach
  • Maintain close communication with lead teaching artists and SVAC staff
  • Exhibit the highest professional standards and ethical behavior in dealings with campers, parents, staff and museum visitors 

Qualifications:

  • Complete First Aid/CPR training at SVAC or separately and provide certification
  • Have experience working with children
  • Demonstrate interest in visual and/or performing arts
  • Be able to communicate effectively with adults as well as children
  • Be responsible
  • Be punctual

Hours:
Full days: 8:30-3:30, Monday – Friday
Half days: hours vary

Payment:
Summer Camp Assistants will be paid at a rate of $14.25/hr. Volunteer arrangements are also welcome; please submit a complete application whether applying for a paid or unpaid position.. 

How to Apply:
Please send the items below to Erin Kaufman, SVAC Manager of Education: ekaufman@svac.org. Feel free to reach out in advance with questions. 

  • Resume
  • Letter describing experience and interest including a note re: which weeks you would be available
  • Contact information for two references

Applications accepted until positions are filled.

For volunteer and internship opportunities, please visit our Volunteer/Intern page.

SVAC is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, gender identification, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation.