Position: Visual Arts Coordinator (VAC)
Organization: Fairbanks Arts Association
Compensation: $23–$25/hour DOE
Schedule: Full-time (30–40 hours/week), including some evenings and weekends
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: In-office (remote work by approval only), located at 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 in the Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts in Alaskaland (previously known as Pioneer Park)
This position will remain open until filled.
Position Overview
The Visual Arts Coordinator (VAC) works collaboratively with staff to implement and manage visual arts programming, exhibitions, and gift shop operations. This role coordinates artists, volunteers, and logistics; oversees communications and materials; and supports participation and engagement across programs.
The VAC works closely with the Exhibition Technician (ET), who leads physical installation. The VAC coordinates artist/curator communications, manages inventory and documentation, supports installation, and ensures the ET has necessary materials and information.
The VAC also manages gallery docents and volunteers, including scheduling, training, and coordination for exhibitions, First Fridays, and related events.
This position is ideal for a highly organized, proactive professional who enjoys public interaction, project management, and working in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment.
Physical Requirements:
- Occasionally lift/move up to 50 lbs
- Occasional travel to off-site program locations
- While this is largely an administrative position requiring a great deal of computer-related work, installation weeks and event days may involve long periods of standing, walking up and down stairs, and moving around.
Key Responsibilities
Program & Exhibition Coordination
- Implement visual arts programs in coordination with staff (volunteers, publicity, sales, logistics)
- Coordinate exhibition logistics, including artist communications, materials, and scheduling
- Prepare exhibition materials (labels, statements, inventory, contracts, prospectuses)
- Manage monthly exhibition processes, including intake and end-of-month wrap-up (inventory, sales, artist/buyer coordination)
- Coordinate artwork sales, including packaging, shipping, and customer communication
- Support installation processes in collaboration with the ET
Volunteer & Docent Management
- Recruit, train, and schedule gallery docents
- Coordinate volunteer support for exhibitions, installations, and events
- Maintain clear and timely communication with volunteers
Scheduling & Administration
- Maintain internal program schedules and calendars
- Track and file exhibition and gift shop sales and reports
- Maintain program files (physical and digital), policies, procedures, and documentation
- Prepare weekly staff updates and maintain regular communication with exhibitors and stakeholders
- Serve as staff liaison to the Visual Arts Committee (minutes, coordination, reporting)
Gift Shop Management
- Manage inventory, barcoding, and database updates
- Coordinate artist relationships, including restocking and recruitment
- Support the annual inventory of consigned and organizational items
- Ensure a well-curated selection of Interior Alaskan artwork
Development & Reporting
- Assist in preparing grant and sponsorship materials with the Executive Director
- Prepare program reports for funders
- Collect and track data for grants, reports, and presentations
Community Engagement
- Connect audiences with exhibitions and programs
- Participate in organizational and community events as needed
Programs Overseen
- Monthly Bear Gallery exhibitions (juried, traveling, open entry, solo/group)
- Workshops and artist talks
- Annual exhibition application process
- Visual Arts Committee
- Quarterly exhibitions at Fairbanks City Hall
- Community and seasonal events, including:
- Chena Lake Art & Music Festival (summer)
- Arts & Crafts Rummage Sale (spring/fall)
- Handmade Holiday Market (winter)
- Outreach events (e.g., Midnight Sun Festival)
- Additional mission-aligned opportunities as they arise
Qualifications
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Ability to represent the organization professionally and accurately
- Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills
- Strong attention to detail, efficiency, and follow-through
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Flexibility, adaptability, and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Airtable (not required, but preferred)
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, artists, and the public with professionalism, diplomacy, and tact
- Commitment to a growth mindset and responsiveness to feedback
- Nonprofit experience preferred but not required
Benefits
- Upon hire, Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual begins at a rate of 2 hours of PTO earned per 40 hours worked
- Employees receive five paid “floating holidays” to assign at their discretion for personal observance of annual holidays, following completion of an Introductory Performance Review.
Application Instructions
Email director@fairbanksarts.org with the following application materials:
- Cover letter describing your interest and contributions to visual arts programming
- Resume
- Three professional references
No Facebook or Indeed applications will be considered.
About Fairbanks Arts
Fairbanks Arts Association has served Interior Alaska since 1966 through visual, literary, performing, and arts education programs. The organization provides leadership, resources, and opportunities for artists and organizations and works to build a vibrant, healthy community through the arts.
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