Communications Assistant

Art21 is a celebrated global leader in presenting thought-provoking and sophisticated content about contemporary art, and the go-to place to learn first-hand from the artists of our time. By providing unparalleled access to the artist’s voice, Art21 uses the power of digital media to inspire a more creative world through the works and words of contemporary artists.

Position Description

The Communications Assistant is a part-time temporary support role within Art21’s Communications team. This role contributes to audience engagement, research, outreach, and the creation and management of communications assets. Working closely with the Digital Manager and other team members, this role helps ensure Art21’s voice is effectively represented across digital platforms and external materials. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about contemporary art and media. As a member of a small, high-producing team (currently 14 full-time staff, not including this role), the Communications Assistant is a unique opportunity to support strategic digital growth and broaden content distribution. This position reports to the Associate Director of Communications and collaborates regularly with other members of the Communications team. Art21 is currently working in a hybrid model with most staff required in the NYC office one day per month.

Essential Job Functions

The following functions are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all functions performed by this position but represent a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties as needed.

Communications Asset Creation

• Create and maintain press kits, metadata documents, and other communication materials.
• Lead the selection and organization of film stills for promotional use with a focus on quality assurance and cross-departmental needs.
• Organize and maintain deliverables from the Production Department to ensure easy access and clarity across teams.
• Contribute to the development of interactive IG/FB Story campaigns, aligning with social media content strategies to drive engagement.
• Create social media content for multiple Art21 initiatives, including but not limited to digital ads, public programs, licensing opportunities, READ and teaching articles, the Art21 merch store and fundraising campaigns.
• Assist in organizational storytelling initiatives, including creating post-event and program recaps for web, newsletter, and social platforms.

Audience Engagement

• Draft and distribute Art21’s bimonthly newsletter, ensuring content is engaging, accurate,
• and responsive to organizational initiatives and “real-world” events.
• Engage with Art21’s audiences on social media by managing IG/FB Stories, responding to comments and DMs, and actively participating in conversations on X/Threads.

Event Promotion Support

• Create social media and ad materials for all Art21 events, including graphics, captions, and story posts, ensuring alignment with Art21’s branding and tone.
• Coordinate with the relevant departments to ensure the smooth promotion of events across digital platforms.

Outreach and Research

• Support press release creation, actively manage the growth and maintenance of Art21’s press lists, track outreach efforts
• Track and log communications contacts, collaborating with Development to ensure consistency in Art21 databases.
• Conduct research and outreach for Licensing opportunities and assist in developing a plan to engage new audiences across the U.S. and globally.

Communications Team Support

• Assist the Associate Director of Communications with additional social media content as needed
• Provide support to the Communications team on various projects as needed.
• Support the Digital Manager in analytic reports, including the Annual Report and Quarterly Comms Reports

Skills and Qualifications

• 3-5 years marketing and media experience at a nonprofit or similar background
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to adapt tone and voice across platforms.
• Proficiency with social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads) and email marketing tools (e.g., Mailchimp).
• Highly organized, with experience managing digital assets or production files.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Familiarity with contemporary art and/or nonprofit communications is a plus.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Monday.com) to keep track of tasks and deadlines.
• Familiarity with design and video editing tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite, especially Premiere Pro and Photoshop, to create engaging digital content.
• Comfort with basic data collection and analysis (Google Analytics or similar tools) to support reporting efforts and track engagement metrics.
• Ability to prioritize and organize multiple projects to meet deadlines.

Applicants must be available to work onsite 2 days/week for the first 90 days. This role may require occasional evening or weekend work/travel. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. Art21 is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color; LGBTQIA+ individuals; people with disabilities; and all others, regardless of immigration history. No phone calls, please.

To Apply

Please email your resume and cover letter to: [email protected], with the subject line “Communications Assistant”

Your resume and cover letters should be submitted as PDFs, saved using the following filing naming template: “Last Name, First Name_Resume or Cover Letter”