Gallery Assistant

OPEN POSITION: SAFE HARBORS OF THE HUDSON, ANN STREET GALLERY, GALLERY ASSISTANT

PART TIME POSITION BASED IN NEWBURGH, NY

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 5, 2026

RELEASE DATE: February 5, 2026

ABOUT THE GALLERY

Under the umbrella of Safe Harbors of the Hudson, Ann Street Gallery presents contemporary art through exhibitions and programming that create new opportunities for education and immersion in the arts in Newburgh. Ann Street Gallery’s exhibitions, events, and programs seek to increase arts literacy and appreciation by engaging community and promoting forward thinking, socially and ecologically responsive, and under-represented positions in contemporary practice. Learn more at https://annstreetgallery.org/

ABOUT SAFE HARBORS

Founded in 2000, Safe Harbors of the Hudson (SHOH) is a dynamic arts and housing nonprofit located in the City of Newburgh, New York. With the mission of transforming lives and building community through housing and the arts, Safe Harbors plays an integral role in Newburgh’s continuing revitalization through innovative redevelopment projects that co-locate supportive and affordable housing with visual and performing arts spaces and programming.

Safe Harbors operates the Cornerstone Residence, which provides supportive housing for 128 neighbors; the Ann Street Gallery, a contemporary visual arts venue; Safe Harbors Green, a vital green space and outdoor stage; the Lobby at the Ritz, a black-box performance venue; and the Ritz Theater, the last historic performance venue in Newburgh, which Safe Harbors is in the multi-phase process of restoring into a flexible performance and event space. For more information, visit safe-harbors.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Safe Harbors’ Ann Street Gallery seeks a reliable, detail-oriented, friendly, and energetic part-time gallery assistant to work 14-21 hours per week including mostly weekend days. This is a year-round position, but work hours will fluctuate based on the gallery’s exhibition and programming schedule and hours of operation. The Gallery Assistant will play a key role in interfacing between our exhibitions, programs, the artists we work with, and the public, as well as facilitating the organization, documentation, and presentation of our physical spaces.

The part-time Gallery Assistant will work independently while tending the Gallery during open hours, as well as closely with the Gallery Director to assist with a variety of public programming. The position is responsible for opening and closing the gallery, tending the exhibition(s), Open Reading Room, and Media Space during open hours, and providing a welcoming, safe, and professional atmosphere for visitors in the gallery. The Gallery Assistant will also work directly with the Gallery Director and artists to help facilitate exhibition installation and other administrative and hands-on tasks. The ideal candidate for this role demonstrates superb interpersonal skills in interfacing with the public, excellent communication and organizational skills, a responsible and attentive work ethic, and a working knowledge and desire to engage and learn across a range of skillsets including design, photography and video documentation and editing, and art handling/installation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Opening/closing the Gallery during open hours and events, ensuring the gallery is tidy and presentable, preparing the Gallery as necessary for visitors.
• Attending the gallery, welcoming visitors, answering questions about the exhibition and artists, and guarding the artwork on display.
• Communicating effectively about the Gallery’s and Safe Harbors of the Hudson’s programming and mission.
• Providing general information about Newburgh & other arts-related activities in the local vicinity and surrounding Hudson Valley area.
• Assisting the Gallery Director with setup and cleanup for programming events and receptions and limited volunteer coordination.
• Assisting the Gallery Director with exhibition preparations, installation, artwork-intake and pickup, deinstallation, and repairs.
• Assisting in the preparation and distribution of printed exhibition and programming materials.
• Assisting in the maintenance and organization of the gallery space, storage areas, and Gallery studio.
• Administrative support and computer-based work, such as maintaining a gallery mailing list, assisting with the Gallery’s social media and web archive, outreach, and promotions.
• Collaboration in facilitation of programming, education, and workshops.
• Collaboration with Safe Harbors Development and Communications team.
• Collaborate with SHOH staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work resourcefully, independently, and collaboratively.
• College-level degree or equivalent work experience in an arts-related field.
• Experience in customer service or public-facing work.
• Knowledge of and interest in contemporary art practices.
• Presentable attire and punctuality.
• Conversant with digital processing, design, and storage tools like Excel, Word, Outlook, Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge, Lightroom, InDesign, cloud storage systems, and general competency toward learning and using digital tools to design, store, organize, and communicate information.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of Newburgh, Safe Harbors of the Hudson, and Ann Street Gallery.
• Experience with exhibition and event documentation, including digital photography, videography, sound recording and editing.
• Experience and interest in graphic design, basic web design, & social media content creation.
• Comfortable and resourceful in researching, learning, and implementing new and emerging technologies to support media artworks and gallery functions.
• Experience/interest in working within the scope of a nonprofit organization.
• Experience/interest in art handling and installation.
• Experience/interest in exhibition research and development.
• Experience/interest in developing arts and exhibition-related programming.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMINDS

• Requires working independently in the gallery, with potential lengthy periods alone in the space.
• Requires working closely with Gallery Director, as well as with artists included in Gallery programming.
• Requires regular on-site and occasional remote work.
• Must be able to lift/carry or move up to 30lbs to move pedestals, chairs, tables, and assist with install/deinstall of exhibitions; requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking in the gallery.

The above content is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. It is not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. At management’s discretion, the employee may be assigned different or additional duties from time to time.

At Safe Harbors, we enjoy working in a team-based environment and value the benefits of a diversified workplace. Women, people of color, and other underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. Safe Harbors of the Hudson is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.

This is a part-time position of 14-21 hours per week with a starting wage of $20 per hour. Part-time employees are eligible for paid sick days, holiday pay, and participation in the 401(k) savings program. Gallery employees have the opportunity to meet artists and learn about exhibitions through interactions and presentations by curators/artists and arts professionals participating in Gallery programming. The Gallery Assistant will have various opportunities for on-the-job training to expand their skillset and experience by working with the Gallery Director and cultural producers involved in our programs.

English required, bilingual or multi-lingual a plus but not required.