Engagement Liaison & Storyteller

Position Summary

Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency is seeking a creative and thoughtful Engagement Liaison & Storyteller to join the Communications Department and help uplift our purpose/mission by capturing narratives from Ox-Bow’s vast community and its century-plus old history.

At Ox-Bow, the Communications Department is grounded in ethical storytelling. We believe that sharing authentic stories about our organization and the people who contribute to the magic is one of the most powerful tools for engagement and community building.

The Engagement Liaison & Storyteller will develop their work through the guidance of the Communications Director and act as the organization’s lead staff writer and managing editor. This role will craft compelling content across digital and print platforms to expand Ox-Bow’s publication library with stories that inspire impact, celebrate our alumni within the Contemporary arts, and reflect our four pillars: education, community, history/historic preservations, and environment.

The Storyteller will contribute and oversee the production of print publications, ensuring alignment with Ox-Bow’s voice and style guide, be a meticulous copy editor, and manage production timelines. The Engagement Liaison will act as a listening post—building relationships with our alumni and be a bridge to our community to ensure our stories and messages reflect our values and experience of our community.

Working closely with the Communications Director, Executive Director, and Development team, the Engagement Liaison & Storyteller will support institutional marketing efforts by writing and/or editing materials such as press releases, annual fund campaign content, and other communications that align with the organization’s strategic goals.

This is a 30 hour a week position. The Engagement Liaison & Storyteller will work both from their home-office with occasional trips to our main campus in Saugatuck and our public space in Douglas where our communal office space is located.

Applicants should apply online by suppling 2 writing samples with their resume and cover letter. Submit applications here.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Editorial Management

• Serve as managing editor for key publications (ex. annual course catalogs, public programs catalog, special publications, ox-news stories, fundraising and event materials), overseeing editorial calendar, production schedule, and content workflows.
• Write and edit content, including feature stories, interviews, and press releases, that align with the organization’s voice and goals.
• Lead story development by sourcing content from staff, partners/donors, alumni,
  and community voices; conduct interviews and manage story pipelines.

Ethical Storytelling

• Follow Ox-Bow’s ethical storytelling procedures and build trusting relationships with interviewees.
• Ensure stories center equity, dignity, and authenticity while amplifying diverse voices that resonate with our audience.

Project Management & Collaboration

• Coordinate with Communications Director on design, freelance writers, photographers, and external copy editor to bring publications to life.
• Work cross-departmentally to align storytelling with broader organizational campaigns including our 2025-2030 strategic plan.
• Work alongside the Digital Communication Assistant to track content performance and audience feedback to inform ongoing digital communication strategy and engagement improvements.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain asset library and story bank.
• Copy edit text on an as needed basis.
• Work events on evenings and weekends as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• 2-4 years of experience in journalism, communications, publications, or a related field.
• Experience managing editorial calendars, content workflows, and publications from concept to delivery is strongly preferred.
• Experience in art and culture sectors.
• Proven ability to write clear and compelling stories with inclusive language and ethical storytelling practices.
• Excellent editing skills and keen attention to voice, tone, and detail.

Preferred Skills

• Passion for Ox-Bow’s organization’s mission and values.
• Background in art, art history, or art criticism.
• Experience with community engagement for cultural nonprofits.
• Comfort with project management tools (e.g., Clickup) and working across teams.
• Proficient with office productivity software such as Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Otter.ai, Squarespace, and Mailchimp.
• Photoshop and video editing skills preferred but not required.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.

Physical Requirements and On-Campus Working Conditions:

• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 25lbs on occasion.
• Must occasionally be able to stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to traverse uneven terrain including stairs.
• Ability to work indoors in non-air-conditioned facilities.
• Ability to work outdoors during special events.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment correctly for most of the day while organizational COVID-19 safety protocols are in place.
• Ability to work weekends for special events.
• Occasional travel may be required for this position.

Working At Ox-Bow

Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists’ Residency, founded in 1910, offers a wide range of opportunities for artists at all stages of their careers. Our campus is nestled on a peninsular interdunal wetland in Saugatuck, Michigan. With programs that target degree-seeking students, professional artists, and those new to the field, Ox-Bow builds a supportive frame in which artists can push their practices in new directions. Ox-Bow’s community is expansive and ever-evolving. Working at Ox-Bow is a unique experience. Our staff consists of both year-round and seasonal positions. Some staff live on campus during their working months, while others commute or work remotely both within the state of Michigan and beyond.

Working at Ox-Bow is working at the intersection of education, hospitality, and culture. Together we seek to create a welcoming environment that nurtures the creative process while building community across generations, career stages, disciplines, and identities. With over 100 years of arts education behind us, we have a vast community of alumni, including staff, students, resident artists, faculty, and community supporters, who love and care for Ox-Bow. Working at Ox-Bow is to become part of that community, and help sustain a historic non-profit arts organization for current and future generations of artists and art lovers.

At Ox-Bow we have a vision to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, lend their creativity, and work in support of an evolving, yet historic, art school. We pride ourselves on thinking and acting creatively, and recognize that part of what makes us a unique place for both our staff and students, is the talent and dedication of our employees.

Ox-Bow is committed to diversity and inclusion, we believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and national origin and work to reflect that in our classrooms, programming, faculty, staff, and board.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Ox-Bow is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for its students, visitors, faculty, and staff, and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on an individual’s abilities and qualifications. Ox-Bow does not tolerate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or former military status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, in its programs and activities, public accommodations or employment practices.