Summer Program Assistant

We seek to hire two full-time, seasonal Summer Program Assistants to join our 2026 Summer Workshop Program team. Summer Program Assistants are vital members of our team. They report to the Education Programs Manager and collaborate with the Education Programs Manager and the Program Director to ensure the Summer Workshop Program runs smoothly. The Summer Workshop Program team is dedicated to ensuring that all students and faculty have exceptional experiences.

Every summer, the Fine Arts Work Center offers 60-70 week-long workshops in creative writing and visual arts taught by award-winning faculty. Our writing workshops include classes in poetry, fiction, memoir, nonfiction, playwriting, and more. Our visual arts workshops include classes in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, photography, and more. This summer, we will welcome over 500 Summer Workshop Program students.

Diversity is a core value at the Fine Arts Work Center. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment. We strongly encourage women, people from BIPOC, AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and people from other systematically underserved communities to apply for this position.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Service:

• Engage with students and faculty members, and offer kind, clear communication
• Support student and faculty check-in and orientation (weekly on Sunday)
• Greet visitors to the Hudson D. Walker Gallery and Bookstore during shift

Hospitality:

• Prepare, setup and clean up for meals and receptions, including continental breakfasts (Monday through Friday) and weekly Thursday student night receptions
• Stock and refill supplies in visual arts studios, classrooms and common areas

Event Support:

• Staff the following events based on the assigned schedule:
• Sunday: check-in and orientation
• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: faculty presentations
• Thursday: student night
• Support the annual FAWC gala on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11

Public Speaking:

• Share crucial information with students and faculty during Sunday Orientation
• Introduce faculty during Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday faculty presentations
• Assist with coordinating the Thursday Student Night readings

Technology:

• Learn to use and run the audio/visual system for faculty presentations
• Aid students and faculty with copying and printing in the computer and media labs
• Learn to use and set up portable projectors in classrooms, if needed
• Help students access digital files for printing
• Photograph summer events to help our Marketing/Communications team

Gallery and Bookstore Support:

• Share exhibition information with visitors
• Process sales and track inventory (books and merchandise)
• Organize and arrange faculty books and FAWC merchandise

Administrative Tasks:

• Research and create talking points for introductions at faculty presentations
• Photocopy materials for Welcome Packets and for faculty teaching aids
• Compile course evaluations and demographic forms from students and faculty

Requirements:

• Commitment to ensuring a welcoming environment for students and faculty from all backgrounds, with special attention to those from historically marginalized communities
• Positive attitude and a friendly personality
• Customer service experience
• Strong communication skills
• Highly organized with attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications:

• Adeptness with technology and willingness to troubleshoot
• Ability to work well both in team environments and independently
• Ability to take direction well and also work in a self-directed manner
• Ability to prioritize and balance multiple projects
• Patience and kindness
• Great sense of humor

This is a non-exempt position with a pay rate of $21/hour. As a seasonal position, this role does not include benefits such as health, dental or life insurance.

The position includes private, on-site housing. Each Assistant will have their own apartment with a full kitchen and private bathroom. Assistants have the opportunity to participate in one complimentary workshop from the 2026 Summer Catalog.