Work at SVACEmployment Opportunities

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

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

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.

Summer Camp Assistant Positions 

Southern Vermont Arts Center is looking for summer camp assistants to work one or more weeks this 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
  • Exhibit the highest professional standards and ethical behavior in dealings with campers, parents, staff and museum visitors 

Qualifications:

  • 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. 

How to Apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to Erin Kaufman, ekaufman@svac.org, by April 15. Please include contact information for two references. Please clearly indicate which weeks you would be available to work at SVAC. Feel free to reach out in advance with questions.

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.

About SVAC:
The 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 concerts and performances in the Louise Arkell Pavilion as well as classes, workshops, and camps for adults and youth in the Hay Madeira Education Studios; trails throughout its 100-acre campus and the Stroup Family Sculpture Park; and through exhibitions and events at Yester House and the Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum.

Volunteer/Internship

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

Summer Art Educators

 

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

Requirements:
• Demonstrate a thoughtful, warm, energetic approach in an active, fast-paced camp environment
• Engage all campers with exciting curriculum tied to learning goals
• Possess classroom and/or art center teaching experience (certification preferred)
• Exhibit flexibility in meeting the needs of diverse learners
• Demonstrate a sincere interest in the artistic development and social-emotional welfare of each camper
• Exhibit the highest professional standards and ethical behavior in dealings with campers, parents, staff and museum visitors
• Provide background check

Applicants should be prepared to design and develop their own curriculum.

Application should include:
• Title and description of a five-day-long camp, a minimum of six hours per day, including theme, lesson plans, materials and student age range
• Resume and cover letter
• Contact information for two professional references
• Dates available during June, July and August 2024

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.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2023

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.

About SVAC:
The 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 concerts and performances in the Louise Arkell Pavilion as well as classes, workshops, and camps for adults and youth in the Hay Madeira Education Studios; trails throughout its 100-acre campus and the Stroup Family Sculpture Park; and through exhibitions and events at Yester House and the Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum.

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

Development and Administrative Coordinator

Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) is seeking a highly organized and technologically savvy candidate to fill the position of Development and Administrative Coordinator. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, professional, and capable of managing the workload related to the SVAC’s fundraising efforts and associated administrative tasks.

Development and Administrative Coordinator includes both inward- and outward-facing responsibilities, requiring interaction with a wide array of stakeholders. The Development and Administrative Coordinator will primarily manage SVAC’s database and act as liaison between SVAC administration and database consultants. They will also advance the development efforts of SVAC through data analysis and reporting; outreach design; gift processing and acknowledgements; and maintaining accurate records. They will provide administrative support to the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and SVAC trustees and committees. They will also support general office and technology management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Database management

  • Primary contact for database (Tessitura) issues, including: improvements in categorization of data for reporting; SVAC client account support; and in-house support for staff. Representative for SVAC in its short- and long-term uses for the database and best practices for sorting constituent information.
  • Meticulous and critically thoughtful data entry, cleaning, and upkeep.
  • Sort, merge, copy edit, print, and mail acknowledgement letters and special communications.
  • Staff and board membership upkeep.

Administrative support

  • Support for the Executive Director’s organizational efforts, including through monitoring email, coordinating calendar and meeting schedule, and paperwork.
  • Long-term administrative goal tracking, including improvements to: website, marketing, development, earned income programs (e.g., sponsorship), and communications.
  • Meeting scheduling and minutes.
  • Bank deposits.
  • On-site support for SVAC’s seasonal concerts and events.

Office management

  • Mail pick-up and distribution.
  • Office supply orders.
  • Technical support for office systems, including: Mac and PC computers, phones, internet, and video conferencing.
  • Policy writing.
  • Instruction writing for SVAC processes, including database procedures.
  • Digital and physical file organization and record keeping.
  • Art and miscellaneous shipping and label-making.

Qualifications
Experience in an administrative/office role; experience with data entry in a constituent database; experience with donor management software, especially Raiser’s Edge/Altru, or Tessitura is a plus. Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding donor information; success working in a team environment; strong attention to detail, accuracy, ability to be a self-starter and to multi-task; and experience with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, scheduling platforms and video conferencing preferred.

Position Classification

  • Full-time, salaried (exempt)
  • In-person position
  • Tuesday – Saturday schedule with flexibility for evening and weekend events
  • Salary range: $48,000–$52,000

Working Conditions
Ability to work in an open office environment subject to frequent interruptions. Requires a great deal of interaction with the public in person and via other means of communication. Involves some outdoor work, including walking from various buildings around campus. Must be available for occasional travel. Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

Physical Requirements
Must be able to lift and carry file boxes and other awkward items weighing up to 25 lbs, including up and down stairs. Requires intermittent standing, walking, sitting, squatting, stretching, and bending throughout the workday. Must be able to see and hear, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

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.

To Apply
Please send cover letter (indicating why you want to live and work in Vermont), resume, and salary requirements to:
Anne Corso, Executive Director at acorso@svac.org or mail to
Southern Vermont Arts Center
P.O. Box 617
Manchester, VT 05254
www.svac.org

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.