Work at SVACEmployment Opportunities

Studio Program Manager

Full-time, year-round
$45,000–$55,000 salary with health insurance
Hours flexible; evenings and weekends sometimes required

Starting early fall 2026

Southern Vermont Arts Center is in an extraordinary period of growth, and we’re looking for an experienced, passionate arts educator to help expand what we offer our community. The Studio Program Manager will be an essential contributor to SVAC’s welcoming, inclusive environment.

The Studio Program Manager is responsible for the operation of SVAC’s thriving studio program–planning and implementing workshops, classes and camps. They will help sustain the current level of youth offerings while playing a vital role in expanding adult studio offerings.

About the Role

In close collaboration with the Education Director, who provides strategic leadership for the department, the Studio Program Manager ensures the success of an ambitious year-round education program. The current education program at SVAC includes:

  • 30+ week-long youth camps annually
  • Evening, weekend and daytime classes and workshops for adults
  • Customized classes for local schools at SVAC
  • Homeschool, weekend, and afterschool classes for children
  • An annual student art exhibition (2,000 students)
  • Field trips for schools and other organizations to the galleries and studio
  • Public community events

The Studio Program manager will work with the Education Director to grow year-round adult studio education offerings and audiences over the next two years. An essential member of a small team, they will also assist with other community and public programs at SVAC as needed.

Responsibilities

  • Plan a diverse mix of attractive seasonal offerings, including introductory, community-based, neurodivergent-friendly, and advanced studio classes in multiple studio disciplines and for multiple ages
  • Work closely with the Education Director to set departmental goals and strategy for growth
  • Manage approximately 40 contract studio art instructors annually, including supporting recruitment and onboarding.
  • Coordinate all aspects of the studio program: maintain program schedules and calendars, build and monitor class registration; develop class promotional material with the Director of Marketing; communicate with students; purchase supplies; manage classroom spaces; assist with equipment management; collect post-class surveys.
  • Assist with planning and implementation of annual student exhibition in the spring

Qualifications

  • 2-3 years minimum experience in arts education, program and studio management
  • Experience with youth education
  • BFA or bachelor’s degree in the arts or similar field of study
  • Experience managing a ceramics facility highly desired
  • Proficiency in Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs); experience with ticketing software, CRMs, and/or WordPress is a plus.
  • Desired but not required:
    • Camp administration experience
    • Familiarity with regional artists and arts organizations 
    • Spanish language proficiency
    • Special Education experience 

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is inspired by the opportunity to grow an extraordinary community resource. This person is organized, detail-oriented, thorough, reliable and kind. Flexible and people-centered, this is someone who enjoys both independent and collaborative problem-solving. This person loves connecting with artists of all ages and abilities, communicates easily and professionally in writing and in person with all constituents, and is at home among the moving parts of a busy, tight-knit team.

To apply: please submit a letter of interest and a current résumé to Erin Kaufman at ekaufman@svac.org.

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

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

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