SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT- PUBLIC ART-TEMP

Cary’s Public Art Program, a leading presenter of contemporary art projects in public spaces, is seeking an individual with project management experience, particularly in the coordination of temporary art installations and art handling, to join our team!

The Senior Administrative Assistant for Public Art will play a critical role in project management and coordinating the realization of complex temporary art installations. These art installations are site-specific commissions for high-profile public venues. This role will give you the opportunity to work directly with artists, galleries, public and private partners, and project-specific consultants and contractors. This position will also collaborate cross-departmentally with members from Cary’s communications, finance, legal, and public works teams to support activities and public art initiatives

Will require a flexible schedule including daytime availability and evenings and weekends as needed. 

This is a part-time, non-benefited, year-round position, up to 20 hours a week, with a maximum of 999 hours per year. 

About Cary's Public Art Program

Cary’s Public Art Program has presented art projects by compelling and significant artists from North Carolina and beyond for more than 20 years. Many of these projects set the standard for excellence in the field, giving urban space new meaning, while engaging diverse audiences and making culture accessible to all. A recent example of one of Cary’s complex temporary projects involved a three-week artist residency by nationally known artist Patrick Dougherty. During this period, the artist built a monumental willow sapling sculpture that now stands at one of Cary’s parks. Project coordination involved recruiting and managing 133 community volunteers, procurement of willow, equipment, and daily site visits to check in with the artist and volunteers. Each temporary public art installation typically has a unique set of logistics to realize the artwork.

• Reviews and assesses the feasibility of commission proposals, including schedules, budgets, fabrication methods, installation, and maintenance requirements, etc
• Works closely with artists, fabricators, and other vendors to develop and manage the production and installation of temporary art works and occasionally permanent public art projects as time permits
• Serves as primary on-site staff member to coordinate site logistics for temporary art installations
• Develops artwork commission agreements and artist/partner/vendor contracts, in consultation with supervisor
• Oversees the implementation of commissions, including budget and schedule management, in consultation with supervisor
• Develops and manages community engagement opportunities with commissioned artists for the community at-large, schools, or appropriate businesses and organizations
• Coordinates production of all temporary public art educational materials (printed and electronic announcements, posters, signage, etc.) including preparing text and working with designers of materials, as well as working with Cary staff and outside vendors who would produce educational materials
• Coordinates marketing for all temporary public art installations including writing and reviewing press releases, handling distribution of all project materials, creating and distributing e-blasts of news and events, posting events and news to various social media and online outlets, and coordinating production of short behind-the-scenes interviews with featured artists
• Creates and distributes a Call for Artists or public art proposals, convenes artist selection panels for jurying, or assists with direct curatorial selection of artists, and notifies artists of the panel’s selections
• Maintains the webpages for temporary public art projects including ASAP/GLOW, festivals commissions, and future temporary art installations. Provides content and updates as needed for Town’s Public Art webpages, social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, and other social media as appropriate
• Maintains information system (using Microsoft Office and BOX digital file storage system) and undertakes data cleanup and revision as necessary
• Ensures successful project implementation from start to finish and quality performance/function of temporary commissioned public art
• Works collaboratively both internally and externally
• Coordinates volunteers
• Assists in other related duties as required.

• Knowledge of contemporary art and working knowledge of materials, and construction and engineering practices.
• Ability to maintain effective and timely communications with colleagues and partners in other locations.
• Ability to act as Project Lead for temporary multi-project partnerships, which may include the direct project management of certain commissions and the coordination of supporting Project Managers as needed.
• Experience working with artists, fabricators, and art installers
• Knowledge of art fabrication methods and processes.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, and capability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to solve problems and think creatively.
• Excellent computer skills, including expertise in Word, Excel, Adobe Graphics, and Outlook.

Education and Experience

Requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in visual arts, project management, construction management, architecture, design, or a related field.

Requires a minimum of one year of public art installation experience

Preference will be given to candidates who possess any of the following:

• Considerable professional experience in arts project management, site-specific (outdoor) artworks, art fabrication and installation.
• Some experience tracking and reporting on budgets and project timelines.

Physical Requirements

Work in this class requires an employee to be able to hear and talk in order to communicate with the public. An employee must be able to walk unassisted and move about freely. Requires the ability to lift moderately heavy items (up to 25 lbs.) Visual acuity is needed in order to read typewritten and handwritten materials and to view a computer terminal.

Conditions of Employment

Requires possession of a valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal check, education verification and credit history review) prior to employment.

Salary : $16 - $27