We seek a Communications Coordinator to work in our office in New York. They should have experience crafting consistent, effective, and cohesive messaging for Skowhegan's artist-centric audience. The primary platforms will be email, Instagram, and the website. 

The Communications Coordinator will work closely with Co-Directors, Deputy Director and Associate, Programs and Editorial to create and manage diverse digital and print communications materials, including contributing to editorial content and digital design for print and digital outputs, including social media, blog content, email campaigns, website pages, formatted reports, and other digital communications materials.

Skowhegan is undergoing a rebranding process that will include a new website and other assets. The Communications Coordinator will play a key role in collaborating with the organization and implementation of this new image and style guide. 

Skowhegan’s Mission

Skowhegan offers artists the opportunity to engage within an experimental framework based on the idea of sharing knowledge and skills within and among artists. The main program at Skowhegan is the School in Maine. During the nine-week Summer Program, participants working across all disciplines have the opportunity to live as a community of peers on our 350-acre campus in rural Maine. Participants devote time to their studio practices while participating in a collective learning process through a variety of skill-sharing and theoretical workshops, group and individual studio visits, performances, lectures, and reading groups. Based on a transversal open structure, Skowhegan creates a space in which the participants design the program's contents in full collaboration and alongside an international and distinguished group of residents and visiting artists who serve as faculty. In a continuously work-in-progress environment that prioritizes process and exchange, each individual’s practice influences the collective experience discussing what "making" means to artists.

The School has its headquarters offices in New York. During the off-session it ensures that the School's mission is accomplished through different efforts and initiatives: by creating on-site and digital programs focusing on education; by creating community and facilitating engagement with former Alumni, faculty and collaborators; by establishing a robust philanthropic network that can ensure that the School and its various programs remain accessible to all in order to promote learning and exchange. 

Responsibilities

General Administration

• Maintain Skowhegan's communications calendar, including scheduling items across programs and departments.

• Maintain Skowhegan’s shared Communications Drive, to ensure good record keeping of institutional meetings/initiative.

• Ensure that all external communications are clear and consistent. 

• Support outreach and marketing efforts through administrative support, including departmental accounting and database maintenance.

• Keep up-to-date with emerging trends and best practices in digital marketing and communications.

• Direct communication with the external design team for the website and other digital and social media platforms. 

• Build relationships with external digital platforms in order to expand the reach of Skowhegan's program on a local, national, and international basis. 

• Implement cross-platform changes to ensure that when a message is sent through one channel, all other points of contact are updated accordingly.

• Manage all print and digital materials including the Journal, invitations, brochures, etc., by adapting design, overseeing layout, and managing print production. 

• Respond promptly to mail@skowheganart.org

Instagram and Other Social Media Platforms

• Engage Skowhegan's local, national, and global communities through the creation, editing, and posting of social media content. Content developed in collaboration with directors and other members of the team. Frequency of 4 - 6 posts per month

• Interact and engage with followers, responding appropriately to social media messages, inquiries, and comments.

• Implement, develop and expand social media assets. 

Emails:

• Create, edit, and email content related to institutional news, events, and fundraising. Frequency of 4 - 6 emails per month.

• Mailchimp management, including various sub lists by constituent groups, and updating contacts.

• Monitor analytics.

Website:

• Technical troubleshooting.

• Upkeep of pages and content, including the people database.

• Communication with the Designer team for any implementation of new assets, etc. 

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree is required. 

• At least 3 years’ experience developing and publishing content on social platforms and websites for an arts or non-profit organization.

• Detail-oriented, with demonstrated success in creating engaging and impactful communications materials across print and digital platforms; experience with arts non-profit or academically-oriented organizations is a plus.

• Strong writing, editing, and organizational skills.

• Strong eye for visual design and effective information architecture/presentation; engagement with trends in graphic design, aesthetics, contemporary art and artists

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 

• Proficient with HTML, CSS, and web content management systems such as WordPress

• Proficient with digital content production and design systems such as Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud.

• Proficient with standard video production/editing tools (such as Adobe Premiere) for digital media development needs, and comfort with In-Design.

• Experience in managing campaigns on e-newsletter platforms, such as MailChimp.

• Working knowledge of web analytics and online advertising tools, such as Google Analytics/AdWords.

Position Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt. 

Work Schedule: 40 Hours per week. 4 days on site and 1 day remote. 

Salary: The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $55,000 with competitive benefits including health, dental, and matching 401k plan. 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume in a single PDF with the subject “Communications Coordinator” to jobs@skowheganart.org

We are looking for a creative and entrepreneurial Development Officer, Individual Giving & Events, to expand its base of support from individual donors through major gifts, council membership, and special events. An experienced and strategic fundraiser, the Development Officer will work closely with the Deputy Director, the Co-Directors, the Development Team, and the Boards to advance Skowhegan’s mission and the overall effective operation of its fundraising efforts. 

The position will report to the Deputy Director. The team is supported by an Assistant, Alumni Engagement and Foundations, a Development Fellow, and the Office Manager. 

Skowhegan’s Mission

Skowhegan offers artists the opportunity to engage within an experimental framework based on the idea of sharing knowledge and skills within and among artists. The main program at Skowhegan is the School in Maine. During the nine-week Summer Program, participants working across all disciplines have the opportunity to live as a community of peers on our 350-acre campus in rural Maine. Participants devote time to their studio practices while participating in a collective learning process through a variety of skill-sharing and theoretical workshops, group and individual studio visits, performances, lectures, and reading groups. Based on a transversal open structure, Skowhegan creates a space in which the participants design the program's contents in full collaboration and alongside an international and distinguished group of residents and visiting artists who serve as faculty. In a continuously work-in-progress environment that prioritizes process and exchange, each individual’s practice influences the collective experience discussing what "making" means to artists.

The School has its headquarters offices in New York. During the off-session it ensures that the School's mission is accomplished through different efforts and initiatives: by creating on-site and digital programs focusing on education; by creating community and facilitating engagement with former Alumni, faculty and collaborators; by establishing a robust philanthropic network that can ensure that the School and its various programs remain accessible to all in order to promote education and exchange. 

Responsibilities

• Identify, solicit, and steward individual donors for the Council program and major gifts, and develop strategies to support prospecting campaigns and donor engagement.

• Establish and nurture relationships with existing and potential partners, including the Boards.

• Prepare briefing materials and help conduct research for senior staff and the Development Committee to inform outreach and prospecting. 

• Develop seasonal and annual strategies to meet and exceed fundraising goals. 

• Track financial performance, prepare quarterly financial reports and fundraising projections, and monitor expenditures. 

• Oversee the donor database and run reports; manage renewals and acknowledgments in collaboration with communications; create consistent, effective, and cohesive messaging for annual appeals and other fundraising engagements and events throughout the year.

• Participate in Awards Dinner and Council programming, from event conception to execution, including outreach, list management, and event production. 

• Attend and assist with other Skowhegan programs as needed, including at least one annual visit to Maine in July for Trustees’ & Governors’ weekend.

• Support a culture of generosity at Skowhegan, ensuring fundraising is integral to all program successes.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements:

The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of success with individual donor cultivation and stewardship. They will have a demonstrated interest in the visual arts and in pursuing a career in nonprofits, and bring a high level of personal motivation, agency, and ownership of assigned projects and tasks to their work. 

• Bachelor’s degree and four to six years of relevant donor or client-facing experience in a development role; experience with annual giving and/or membership and international fundraising a plus.

• Passion for contemporary art and artists, experience working with artists.

• Superior communication skills, and ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential matters with diplomacy, tact, and discretion.

• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.

• High EQ and interpersonal skills; comfort working with people of all ages and backgrounds.

• Financial, budget, and database acumen.

• Computer literacy and knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and proficiency with design software, including Adobe Creative Suites and MailChimp a plus.

• Available for evening work –4 times monthly; occasional weekend work and travel required.

Position Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt. 

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week. 4 days on site and 1 day remote. 

Salary: The salary range for this position is $65,000 – $75,000, with competitive benefits including health, dental, and matching 401k plan. 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume in a single PDF with the subject ‘Development Officer, Individual Giving & Events’ to jobs@skowheganart.org. 

Under the supervision of the Co-Directors, the Programs and Editorial Associate will coordinate and create various programs and editorial contents for Skowhegan. The position primarily provides direct support and collaborates with the Co-Director Ruth Estevez in strategizing and managing the different aspects of the NY program with Alumni, guest artists, writers and other collaborators, while creating new editorial content related to Skowhegan’s legacy and mission. The incoming Programs and Editorial Associate contributes to the overall institutional vision for Skowhegan as a leader organization in promoting a more equitable and inclusive cultural spaces.

This newly created position involves the possibility of transmitting, translating, and making visible the school's work philosophy through various programs and publications. The Programs and Editorial Associate collaborates with former Skowhegan participants and guest artists, creates new digital and print content, establishs relationships with other organizations that share a similar ethos, and provides a platform to consider alternative forms of community, learning, and artistic production.

This position requires excellent detail-oriented organization, communication, a commitment to advancing equity and exchange, and an interest in art and education. This position also requires very strong editorial skill and experience writing content both for programmatic events, publications and other different contexts in contemporary art. 

SKOWHEGAN’S MISSION

For nearly eight decades, Skowhegan has offered artists the opportunity to engage within an experimental framework based on the idea of sharing knowledge and skills within and among artists. The main program at Skowhegan is the School in Maine.  During the nine-week summer Program, participants working across all disciplines have the opportunity to live as a community of peers on our 350-acre campus in rural Maine. Participants devote time to their studio practices while participating in a collective learning process through a variety of skill-sharing and theoretical workshops, group and individual studio visits, performances, lectures, and reading groups. Based on a transversal open structure, Skowhegan creates a space in which the participants design the program's contents in full collaboration and alongside an international and distinguished group of residents and visiting artists who serve as faculty. In a continuously work-in-progress environment that prioritizes process and exchange, each individual’s practice influences the collective experience discussing what "making" means to artists.

The School has its headquarters offices in New York. During the off-session it ensures that the School's mission is accomplished through different efforts and initiatives:  by creating community and facilitating engagement with former Alumni, faculty and collaborators; by creating on-site and digital programs focusing on education; by establishing a robust philanthropic network that can ensure that the School and its various programs remain accessible to all in order to promote education and exchange. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EDITORIAL CONTENTS:

• Manage and coordinate public programs (talks, performances, walking tours, etc.) This includes but is not limited to: working in collaboration with the Co-director in conceptualizing, contacting and maintaining correspondence with artists/speakers/performers etc; facilitating audience Q&As; and other tasks related to the events.

• Conduct  research on artists archives, books, authors, films, and speakers for future public programs and editorial projects aligned with the Skowhegan philosophy and ethos.

• Conduct extensive research on Skowhegan’s archive, bringing fresh perspectives into the narratives and presentations of Skowhegan’s legacy  through scholarship, and through their engagement with colleagues across the field.

• Assisting in creating new relationships with international platforms and schools for possible collaborations. 

• Affirm Skowhegan’s commitment to artists of diverse backgrounds and practices by creating a broad selection of cross-media content about the program—past, present and future. Contribute to the development of future digital and printed publications both coordinating the contents and providing ideas for their realizations  

• Collaborating with the Communications Coordinator in organizing and coordinating texts for outreach for events, or any other campaigns organized by the School.

• Provide assistance in the preparation of program descriptions for printed and virtual materials. Obtain information from collaborators, publishers, and speakers, including headshots, speaker biographies, and books; 

• Creating texts, review and copy for publications, e-news mailings, and other material.

• Works within a team environment and promotes dialogue, engagement, and collaboration with colleagues.

SKILL & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree. MA in Art History, Curatorial Studies or MFA preferred and at least 4 to 5  years of related experience. Experience working in art nonprofits is desirable. 

• Proven experience in public programming  and project management in an art institution.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty,  and external partners.

• Strong editorial skills. Experience in writing and editing within the field of contemporary art. 

• Experience in making research and working with archives is desirable. 

• Relationships and networks with learning institutions and artist-led-spaces that share Skowhegan’s ethos; experience collaborating with such institutions and spaces. International experience is a plus. 

• Astute design sensibility, experience in Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere, Acrobat 

Position Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt. 

Work Schedule: 40 Hours per week. 4 days on site and 1 day remote. 

 Salary: The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $75,000 with competitive benefits including paid time off, health, dental, and matching 401k plan. 

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume in a single PDF with the subject ‘Associate Programs and Editorial’ to jobs@skowheganart.org

Deadline for applications: December 31st, 2024