Join Our Team
Employment AND Volunteer Opportunities
MUSEUM GALLERY ATTENDANT - Immediate Opening
Waterworks Visual Arts Center is looking for engaging, enthusiastic and customer service-centric Museum Gallery Attendants with strong communication skills to join the team. In order to enhance and improve the Visitor Experience, the gallery attendants will engage gallery visitors through Waterworks Visual Arts Center’s thought-provoking programming, as well as ensure the visitor experience is seamless throughout the gallery.
Position Title: Museum Gallery Attendant
Number of Positions Available: One
Reporting to: Administrative Assistant
Hours of Work: Varied, based on need. Minimum of 3 days per week, with each shift being 6–8 hours, including a thirty-minute break for lunch. This position requires regular weekend availability and occasional evening hours.
Type of Employment: Temporary Part-time.
Start Date: August 19, 2024
Compensation: $13/hour ($12,000-$16,000/yr.)
Location: Salisbury, NC, on-site
SUMMARY OF SERVICE
Gallery Attendant will provide concierge and docent service to those visiting Waterworks Visual Arts Center by encouraging meaningful public engagement through daily interaction, tours, and outreach programs. Gallery Attendants are responsible for multiple important functions including welcoming and orienting visitors in the space and exhibitions, answering visitor questions, leading tours, enhancing the visitor experience by encouraging conversation and engagement with art and ideas, monitoring the galleries for security, working special events, and performing administrative tasks as required.
DUTIES
Welcome and orient patrons and visitors as they enter the gallery, conduct tours, and provide visitors with information concerning current exhibitions, education and public programs, membership, special events, and general information.
Supervise the entrances and all areas of the exhibitions to enhance the visitor experience, enforce gallery rules, and maintain proper gallery capacity.
Engage with visitors by starting conversations while introducing the exhibitions and providing more information about the shows/selected works on display in the gallery.
Ensure the safety and security of artworks.
Ensure the tidiness and cleanliness of the gallery including entrance/lobby area, galleries and common entrances.
Examine the exhibitions throughout the day to assess artwork that may be malfunctioning or damaged and submit incident reports to appropriate staff in a timely manner.
Attend Gallery Attendant meetings, shift briefings, and/or other meetings called by the Executive Director or Administrative Assistant
Prepare and lead thoughtful and intelligent tours (schoolchildren and adults), and maintain a comprehensive knowledge and in-depth understanding of the artists and themes in the exhibitions to facilitate discussion and meaningful engagement with viewers.
Perform opening and closing duties including turning on/off works in the exhibition, as applicable, ensuring all visitors have exited the Gallery upon closing, and keeping the public areas and galleries tidy.
Capture names, addresses, and postal codes from visitors for the gallery’s database to extend engagement, encourage lasting connections, and for future marketing and development needs. Visitor’s are encouraged to sign the guest book.
Perform administrative/clerical tasks including writing reports related to exhibition maintenance, attendance and audience response. Assist with mailings and performing periodic and annual inventory, if applicable.
Replenish publication and gallery ephemera, program postcards, Family Guides, educational hand-outs, and gallery surveys at the front desk and in other areas.
Promote and provide additional information on upcoming public programs and events.
Provide staffing assistance for public programs and special events as needed including signature fundraising events, member events, and revenue generation events during which duties may also include selling drink tickets, preventing drinks/food from entering specified areas, taking photographs, etc.
Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
Proven track record of providing excellent customer service.
Experience working in a retail sales environment and product promotion is an asset.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong public speaking abilities for leading tours, introducing speakers, and making presentations to visitors.
Polite, courteous and pleasant mannerism.
Strong interpersonal skills and must enjoy interacting with the public.
Ability to operate audio/visual and other exhibition equipment, as well as computer, cash drawer, receipt printer, photocopier, and other office equipment.
Ability to observe and perform multiple activities in the gallery.
Interest in contemporary art is considered a plus.
Knowledge of languages(s) other than English is an asset.
Availability to work weekends and on occasion, evening hours as needed.
This position is based in Salisbury, NC, on-site at the art museum.
Must possess a valid Driver’s License and agree to a Background Check upon request.
HOW TO APPLY
Waterworks Visual Arts Center is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds to apply.
Acceptable applications must include a current resume and a cover letter indicating how you would meet the essential criteria for this position. To apply, please submit your application to admin@waterworks.org. Please enter/type WVAC Museum Gallery Attendant in the subject line. Electronic or mail-in applications, only. NO WALK-INS.
Mailing address: Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty Street, Salisbury, NC 28144
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.
Studio Art and ARTstops Instructors
Waterworks Visual Arts Center is a nationally accredited teaching museum located in Salisbury, NC. Its mission is to provide diverse opportunities in the visual arts for all people through exhibitions, education, and outreach programs. The Arts Center aspires to enhance the creative capacity of individuals and communities by offering extraordinary visual arts experiences that foster creativity and learning. These experiences include:
Hands-on studio classes/workshops for adults and youth spring and fall
Weeklong Summer ARTventures
Artist Talks
Artist Lectures and Workshops
Community Outreach Programs for area schools and public agencies
Position Title: Art Instructor
Reporting To: Education Coordinator/Administrative Assistant
Hours of Work: Varied, based on activity performed
Type of Employment: Independent Contractor
Compensation: Per activity performed; base rate - $30/hr
Location: Salisbury, NC; on site
JOB SUMMARY:
The Art Instructor works closely with the Education staff to create and implement innovative art programs that educate and engage audiences of all ages. The Art Instructor encourages participants to explore the rotating exhibitions and participate in a variety of hands-on studio experiences that build knowledge, skill, and encourage self-expression.
DUTIES:
The Art Instructor will perform the following:
Provide age appropriate instruction for youth and adult classes and workshops
Lead, facilitate, and execute ARTstops program as requested
Teach visual art skills in a variety of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, and photography
Teach and demonstrate fundamental approaches to art techniques as well as methods of past masters
Understand and apply the elements of art and principles of design
Enhance the understanding of aesthetic concepts and appreciation of art history
Demonstrate and teach appropriate care and use of tools and equipment
Use the art exhibited in the galleries to provide art experiences for school field trips and ARTstops program
Lead gallery tours as needed
Organize storage areas
Manage and dispense art materials and supplies
Communicate effectively and appropriately with staff and parents as required
Perform other duties as may be requested by the Administration
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts
Master’s degree in Fine Arts, preferred
Two years’ work experience as an Art Teacher or Teaching Artist
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Polite, courteous, and pleasant mannerisms
Exceptional classroom management strategies when working with children
Availability to work during daytime, evening, or weekends as required by the class schedule
Must possess a valid Driver’s License and agree to a Background Check upon request
Three professional/character references upon request
HOW TO APPLY:
Acceptable applications must include a current resume and a cover letter outlining how you meet the essential criteria for the position. Email a cover letter and resume to admin@waterworks.org, Note in the subject line: Art Instructor. Electronic or mail in applications, only. NO WALK-INS.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.
Museum Store Coordinator
The Museum Store Coordinator is a volunteer position, reporting directly to the Executive Director and/or the Administrative Assistant. The ideal candidate may have a business background, retail store buying experience and knowledge of current trends, love of the arts, and desire to enable Waterworks to thrive as the premier visual arts center in the region.
The purpose of the Museum Store is to raise additional funds for the educational programs of the arts center and to serve as an extension of the museum by featuring original artwork by local and regional artists and merchandise relating to or complementing current exhibitions.
Interested candidates should mail a letter of interest to:
Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 / RE: Museum Store Coordinator
No telephone or in-person calls, please.
Christine P. Whitton Art Partners
Volunteer Program
Opportunities
Volunteers are an integral part of our day-to-day activities at WW. Our volunteer team includes adults who work, or are semi-retired and retired, and students. Each year these volunteers provide an average of 4,500 hours of service.
Together we want to help ensure quality of life through the meaningful experiences and opportunities offered at Waterworks.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:
Museum Docent / Tour Guide (training provided)
Greeter for Professional and Student Opening Receptions
Studio / Classroom Assistant
Exhibitions Assistant
Library
Museum Store
Flowers / Garden
Committees: Special Events, Ad Hoc, Hospitality, Board Leadership
Interested? Just print out and complete this Volunteer Application, and return to Waterworks:
Scan/Email to Greeter@Waterworks.org or mail/drop off to: Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St., Salisbury NC 28144.
Applications are accepted all year long.
Become a Summer ARTventures’
Student Volunteer
Earn school community service credits while adding to your ART resume.
Registration is open to all rising 9th-12th graders.
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
At no other time in our history is Waterworks a more valuable commodity for the youth of Rowan County! With the impact of educational budget cuts, K-12 school arts programs (i.e. music, visual arts, dance, theater) are vulnerable to lose out.
Since 2008, Waterworks, in partnership with the public, private, independent, and home schools, has provided a curriculum-based ARTstop for every 5th grade class in Rowan County. An ARTstop is a docent-led tour of the professional galleries and facility, followed by a hands-on art activity with a professional artist relating to the current exhibition. This 90-minute arts experience meets the North Carolina Common Core Curriculum course of study for visual arts education. ARTstops are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, September through May, with nearly 2,200 5th graders participating.
Visual arts programs and experiences like this offered by Waterworks, help develop skills of communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
Won’t you join us in helping these children develop the skills needed as 21st Century global learners and future leaders? Together we help ensure good quality-of-life through the meaningful experiences and opportunities offered at Waterworks!
Anyone 18 years + can be a docent. No experience required — Waterworks provides all the training!
Docents are vital to our exhibition programming. They guide conversations about the exhibits—they don’t need to be “the expert,” nor do they need “to lecture.” Instead, docents provide snapshots of information and insight, they ask leading questions and encourage responses and engagement from the people on the tour.
