Associate Director, Communications/Events for Major Art Gallery
Associate Director of Communications & Events If you join Kavi Gupta Gallery, you will become part of a socially conscious, future-thinking, fast-paced and dedicated team that works together to amplify voices of diverse and underrepresented artists and expand the canon of art history. Through innovative and ambitious exhibitions, multimedia programming, and rigorous publications, we foster an evolving conversation among international communities about art and ideas. As a member of the Kavi Gupta Gallery team, we would ask for you to join us in this goal with a serious commitment to this position. We expect your personal accountability in all your actions as a representative of Kavi Gupta Gallery. In return, we are committed to providing you with every opportunity to learn, grow and stretch to the highest level of your ability and potential with a career path only contingent on your work ethic and commitment to our team, the artists, and our mission.REQUIREMENTS: (Applications that do not meet these requirements can not be reviewed!)Minimum 2-3 years of relevant experience working in a cultural institution with responsibilities associated with various Communications, PR, Social Media, Advertising Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Critical Studies, Public Relations or a related fieldFamiliarity and interest in the international arts media landscape, including established and emerging press platforms, magazines, periodicals, and related fairs and eventsOur Gallery is driven by a core of very motivated and accomplished individuals. The Gallery has reached a high level of success over its 20+ years. It must be clear to any applicant that a position will require the proven ability to manage a high volume schedule and be, Highly resourceful, take the initiative, and be proactive, responsive, and an accountable Problem solver who can work in ambiguity.
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills are a must, along with the ability to interact professionally and confidentially with high-profile clients, institutional heads, and internationally recognized philanthropists and cultural supporters.
The Art world requires nuance and it is very beneficial to be “in the know” about some of the inner workings of a subjective, cultural environment. One should have the vision or desire to learn to seek out appropriate, unique, and rare, out-of-office experiences, event spaces, restaurants, etc, for meetings and events, and gatherings.
Job Responsibilities: Communications Main Role:
Manage press outreach for exhibitions, artists, and art fairs, working with outside PR firms at times
Provide oversight on weekly newsletter—including gallery news, institutional exhibitions, press, and social engagement
Research, plan, and implement PR strategies for the gallery
Manage advertising for gallery
Participate on website team to ensure the content, design, and schedule for maintenance and updates best reflect the gallery and engage with the public
Schedule and hold regular check-in meetings for the Communications Team and Train to become Artist Liaison/ Exhibition Point Person where collaboration and updates are needed for artists.
This incudes maintaining regular communication with artists (including project & programming updates, museum exhibition updates, and gallery exhibition recaps), and regularly updating the gallery/artist-shared project management software to maintain complete transparency -New Platforms and experience with new social media integrations analytics, digital dashboards are being developed to add to our current platforms of Basecamp, google suite, Mailchimp, Adobe suite, etc.
Cultivate and manage all communications for the coordination of artists’ exhibitions at the gallery, participation in museum exhibitions, and promotion needed for art fairs
Manage and prepare exhibition planning documents for projects involving artists and schedule exhibition meetings when there is an upcoming gallery show to discuss and coordinate communication/PR and event needs with the gallery team.
Ensure artists have updated information on the website and all gallery platforms and communicate needed updates to Archivist
Work with gallery team to originate and coordinate programming and events for artists
Work with gallery team and artists on any printed materials the gallery produces for them
Member of the Art Fair Team:
Travel to work art fairs as needed, including Expo Chicago, Art Basel Miami Beach, FRIEZE London, FRIEZE NY, The ADAA Show, The Armory Show, NY, Singapore, Hong Kong, among others
Conceptualize special projects with artists to exhibit at fairs that educate the public to the artist’s narrative with our Associate Director of Interpretations and Publications Manager.
Member of the Programming Team:
Assist with conceptualizing and implementing programs with artists, event planning and preparation. Coordinate outsourcing for all event-related activities as needed.
Assist with the gallery’s program with regard to public and civic engagement as well as charitable workStrategize gallery’s printed materials including books, pamphlets, and promotional materials for fairs and exhibitions.
Gallery Leadership
Act as supervisor and mentor to Gallery Assistant/ Communications and oversee the perfect output in vital areas such as Brand awareness, digital & print presence, and networking with various editorial teams from a vast array of outlets, including art & culture publications to hi-fashion and contemporary, of the moment, design and international popular culture sources.
Work with Kavi, Jessica, and the directors to brainstorm and develop projects, plans, and strategies for the gallery.
Be aware of communication flow between staff members and spaces and raise any issues or concerns to ensure productive and positive exchanges amongst the staff, being a model for best practices.
Be a representative of the gallery at events including museum and gallery shows and programs, involving travel as neededPrevious administrative and communications experience is required. Candidates must have the ability to proactively and independently solve problems. The ideal candidate should have two to three years of experience working in a related role and support position in a commercial gallery, auction house, or similar arts-related setting, as well as proficiency with art database systems and tools like ArtLogic, New Tech decks and platforms for internal management and communications such as Click-up, Asana, Multi-post and chat platforms, as well as knowledge of contemporary art and the nuance of communications and brand awareness within this very particular industry. The successful candidate must have impeccable attention to detail and follow-through; this role requires a highly motivated and organized individual who is capable of multi-tasking various priorities in a fast-paced environment. The position requires a proactive person with experience meeting deadlines, administering and tracking projects, planning and assisting in designing and producing digital and printed materials, and maintaining a travel calendar. The successful candidate is a creative problem solver; possesses excellent written and oral skills; phone etiquette and polite demeanor are also essential.
Basic Knowledge of Art, Art History is required.
Candidate must be highly proficient in the basic computer-related tools such as the Mac Platform, Microsoft Word, High Spreadsheet knowledge and experience with Excel or similar and Adobe Acrobat, and full Adobe design suite. Knowledge of ArtLogic, Artsy, and all Social Media platforms, podcasts, newsletters, video, and digital media, etc, enhanced with the inner workings of our full Adobe Creative Suite to have the ability to produce innovative design work in tandem with the rest of the team and the gallery's needs.
This is a good fit for a candidate with soft skills such as loyalty, empathy and a sense of mutual hospitality within a small, collaborative team. Great problem-solving skills, a sense of humor, a calm demeanor and an ability to respond constructively to feedback are excellent tools to have.
This is a full-time salaried position Tues-Sat 10am-6pm. The gallery offers full health/dental insurance coverage and generous vacation time and PTO as well as a 401k after one year of employment.
Salary will be highly competitive within the industry and in accordance with the individual's experience in addition to a year-end bonus. Performance reviews will be conducted on a six- to twelve-month basis to assess performance to-date, and to clarify or modify this arrangement as needed. Employer subsidized benefits include 60% of monthly pre-tax health care premium (can be up to $2400 a year in additional paid compensation depending on chosen plan), 100% covered dental insurance, and robust 401k retirement savings plan with highest levels of employer matching to bolster employee’s annual savings. All compensation would be paid consistent with Kavi Gupta Gallery's normal payroll practices; currently direct deposit via ADP and BCBSIL Health Care. Pay Period: You will receive your compensation every two weeks. Benefits: You will be entitled to multiple fringe benefits as may be provided occasionally to other employees occupying similar positions. Additionally, you will receive the following benefits in accordance with Kavi Gupta Gallery's normal policies: Paid Time Off, Typical policy is after working for the gallery for a minimum of six months, you will receive the following paid vacation time: Minimum two-week vacation during the end-of-year holidays, two weeks vacation in summer at a time to be approved by your supervisor. You are also entitled to 5 paid sick/personal days and very generous comp time, which may be taken to compensate for overtime work from travel at agreed-upon dates. You will be provided an employee option for the highest quality, Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Illinois PPO or HMO Plan plus Dental plan immediately upon hire. You will be enrolled in the gallery 4O1K and company matching retirement plans with percentage/profit-sharing plans after 1 year vested. Additional Terms: The following terms would also apply to your employment: You will be required to travel nationally and internationally as needed to various art fairs, artists' large scale projects and museum openings.
About Us and Our Mission :
Kavi Gupta amplifies the voices of diverse and underrepresented artists to expand the canon of art history. Through innovative and ambitious exhibitions, multimedia programming, and rigorous publications, we foster an evolving conversation among international communities about art and ideas.
We believe culture is created by communities, and that representation is a step toward inclusivity and justice. Equity in the art field starts with everyone getting a seat at the table, but it does not end there. Our vision is to seek out and offer a platform to artists whose vitality expands and deepens the cultural conversation, especially if theirs is a voice that has been marginalized due to their identity, their social or political perspective, or their aesthetic position.
