Gallery Assistant

The Gallery Assistant works closely with ARTISANS’ Director and Gallery Manager and assists with all aspects of promoting and marketing ARTISANS' varied programme of activities, including its temporary exhibitions, launch events, workshops and educational activities.

Job Title: Gallery Assistant 

The post holder will be required to interact with all visitors, as well as with exhibitors such as artists, crafts people, designers and assist with exhibition sales and all general enquiries.

Reports to: Gallery Manager 

Liaises with: All levels of contact, internal and external

Main duties:

• Works in close collaboration with the Director and Gallery Manager to realize all aspects of the exhibitions –
  including planning, curating, branding, installation, design, marketing print, signage, inventory and cataloguing
  of artworks, images, contracts, budgets, scheduling, and associated paperwork.

• The Gallery Assistant represents the public face of ARTISANS’ and as such must be well presented and informed of all its activities in general terms and in relation to each exhibition in particular.
• Maintains historical information, spaces, upkeep and displays.
• Implements and manages all aspects of inventory and sales of the works – ensuring a clear and accurate stock and sales record is in place.
• Facilitates packing/shipping of art, shipping billing and inventory of shipping supplies. Works with Gallery staff to maintain packing space and materials.
• Participates as requested in all internal administrative responsibilities
• Welcomes the public to ARTISANS’, hands out information literature for exhibitions and events and answers any queries visitors may have about the exhibition and the Gallery. 
• Assists with the design and distribution of marketing print, both digital and print.
• Maintains press cuttings folder and distributes to stakeholders. 
• Answers the telephone, takes messages as well as deals with enquiries on the telephone, via email and ARTISANS’ social media pages.
• Pro-actively sells all exhibition merchandise – books, catalogues, merchandise, and other related works of art, as directed by the Gallery Manager. 
• Ensures the gallery and workspace is clean and tidy at the beginning and end of the day.
• Ensures that all visitors abide by Gallery regulations - no eating, drinking or smoking.

Private views and special events:

The Gallery Assistant is required to work on the private and press views of each exhibition. In addition, ARTISANS’ hosts an active programme of workshops, and related educational events. The Gallery Assistant is expected to be available for these occasions.

General Administration:

• Deals with exhibitor’s enquiries in liaison with the Gallery Manager, schedules the calendar and manages the lifecycle of each exhibition
• Deals with press and marketing enquiries in liaison with the Gallery Manager.
• Communicates and updates the Manager and Team regularly regarding prospective inquiries, exhibitions, press, and other developments
• Updates ARTISANS’ social media pages – Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• Works on ARTISANS’ computer systems, updating regularly the Gallery's mailing lists
• Updates inventory and database of visitors
• Undertakes travel bookings and business appointments for Director and Gallery Manager, as requested.
• Deals with all couriers and deliveries to the Gallery
• Ensures booking and registration of groups visiting the Gallery 

This is not however, an exhaustive list of duties and ARTISANS’ management may, at any time allocate other tasks which are of a similar nature or level. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Passionate about traditional and contemporary arts, crafts and design.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written (in English and Hindi).
• Ability to work using own initiative and willingness to learn.
• Aptitude for/experience of working as a team (e.g. strong interpersonal skills). 
• Flexibility, Adaptability,  Reliability,  Punctuality,  Cordiality
• Proficient in computer literacy – Word, Excel, Outlook and mailing lists and database management.
• Interested in ARTISANS’ mission, history, current exhibitions and projects.
• Enthusiastically answers any enquiry that the public might have.

Desirable:

• Previous museum/gallery, retail or hospitality experience, ideally 1-2 years.
• Experience in handling, packing and shipping artwork.
• Experience and or knowledge of arts marketing and PR.

Details of the post are given below.

Hours of work:

This is a full time position. Work schedule is six days per week, 10:00 –19.00, Monday to Saturday, and occasional evening and weekend hours as required.

Place of Work:

Most of the work is based in ARTISANS’, but occasionally staff might be required to work at other locations if necessary. 

Probation and Trial Period:

All appointments are subject to satisfactory employment and character references. There is a probation period of six months.