Distribution Assistant

Please apply here to be considered.

MISSION

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

Salary Grade 4

BASIC FUNCTION:

Founded at SAIC in 1976, the Video Data Bank (VDB) is a leading resource in the United States for video by and about contemporary artists. VDB is dedicated to fostering awareness and scholarship of the history and contemporary practice of video and media art through its distribution, education, and preservation programs.

Under the general supervision of the Distribution Manager—and often in collaboration with other Video Data Bank (VDB) staff—the Distribution Assistant is responsible for direct communications with artists, customers, and members of the SAIC community. Assists in the management of all inquiries at VDB, as well as client orders and payments, data entry, moving image festival submissions, and other distribution functions, as required.

This is a part-time position working 20 hours, 3 days a week. Please include a cover letter to be considered.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensures the public-facing front office and screening room are fully-staffed during open hours, including trained student employees when others are not available.
• First-line communication with SAIC faculty, students and external users.
• Assists the Distribution Manager with all public-facing business — sales, processes orders, invoicing, processing payments, closing orders, data entry, recommending video art titles, etc.
• Develop extensive knowledge of the VDB collection to help promote VDB services to customers. Communicate client inquiries clearly to the Distribution Manager and process sales from inquiry to delivery.
• In collaboration with the Distribution Manager, ensure accurate and complete record-keeping related to customer orders and update the VDB website with this information as necessary. This includes maintaining files of artist materials, closed and pending invoices, distribution contracts, and other tasks, as required.
• Coordinates marketing, distribution, and other mailing projects as necessary (post and email), including newsletters, invoices, royalties, promotions, overdue orders, images, artists’ bios, and press kits.
• Coordinates writing, designing, producing and sending of the monthly newsletter with Distribution Manager and Digital Collections and Media Manager.
• Coordinates festival marketing, promotions and submissions in collaboration with the Distribution Manager.
• Assists in the general maintenance and development of VDB Library materials.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the Distribution Manager and in coordination with VDB team.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in arts administration preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Ability to multi-task and stay calm under pressure.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite required.
• Knowledge of video art.
• Interest in contemporary art and art history.
• Knowledge of current video technical specifications.
• Experience with a broad variety of software and web based tools.
• The ability to work well with diverse populations; and demonstrated level of cultural competence

CLOSING STATEMENT

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.

UNION INFO

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31