Dia Beacon, Part-time Gallery Attendant

Located in Beacon, New York, Dia Beacon presents Dia Art Foundation’s renowned collection of art from the 1960s to the present as well as special exhibitions, new commissions, and educational and public programs. Occupying a former box-printing factory on the banks of the Hudson River, the contemporary art museum spans nearly 300,000 square feet and features installations of works by some of the most significant artists of the last half century.

Dia Beacon seeks a Part-time Gallery Attendant to work 2–3 days a week including weekends and most holidays. This is a year-round position, but the work hours will fluctuate seasonally based on the museum’s hours of operation.

The Part-time Gallery Attendant is responsible for providing a positive, professional, and safe environment for Dia Beacon visitors. They help facilitate the visitors’ experience within a unique, artist focused space. The position requires visitor engagement, teamwork and knowledge of Dia Beacon’s collection as well as Dia Art Foundation’s history, mission, and sites. The Part-time Gallery Attendant ensures adherence to gallery policies as necessary to assist visitors and protect the collection.

The ideal candidate for this role demonstrates superb customer-service and communication skills in a team setting, has the ability to work independently and be self-motivated, and operates effectively within a changing and unique environment. This position requires a candidate who is comfortable and experienced with walking and standing for the majority of the workday.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Engage proactively and thoughtfully with visitors, answering questions and providing helpful information; assist and guide as necessary
• Monitor visitors’ interactions with the collection and facility; professionally communicate museum policies and procedures
• Effectively communicate information about Dia’s collection as well as the building, institutional history, mission, and sites
• Provide general information about Beacon and the Hudson Valley area
• Assist with coat/bag checking
• Monitor compliance with all safety regulations and demonstrate an ability to assist in case of an emergency; attend ongoing trainings for health and safety, emergency action, and other protocols as required
• Coordinate and perform light maintenance in the galleries and outdoor spaces prior to and during public hours
• Provide museum and membership information, proactively engaging at admission points to sell memberships and conduct surveys; assist with ticketing and reservations as needed
• Assist with tours, special events, and other educational/public programs; help Visitor Services Managers with VIP visits as needed
• Support ongoing research initiatives and attend regular trainings to stay informed about best visitor-services practices, visitor-engagement strategies, and updates to Dia’s collection and policies

 Education, certification, and experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; either degree/college-level coursework in the arts or prior experience working at an art museum/space preferred
• Experience in providing in-person customer service and working directly with the public required
• Knowledge of Dia Art Foundation’s history, mission, and sites preferred

Working conditions and physical demands

• Must be able to tolerate standing and walking for long periods of time on concrete floors as well as rotating through outdoor spaces (such as the West Garden) through the seasons
• Must be able to maintain a physical presence in galleries that may consist of, but not limited to, bright/neon/fluorescent/flashing lights, low-light spaces, varying levels of noise, repetitive sounds, and cold/warm temperature fluctuations
• May have lengthy periods of solitude in the gallery spaces if there are few visitors
• Must be able to lift/carry/move up to 25 lbs.

Beacon area or Hudson Valley residency preferred.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply by completing the online job application, linked here, and attaching a resume and letter of interest. No phone calls or emails to addresses other than the one specified. 

This position is represented by the Technical, Office & Professional Union, Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO. 

Dia Art Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, Dia will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and supports a neurodiverse workplace. Candidates with nontraditional learning or career paths and/or applicants whose qualifications differ from those listed above are encouraged to apply.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply by completing the online job application and attaching a resume and letter of interest. No phone calls or emails to addresses other than the one specified.