Careers
Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA)
The Contemporary Austin values a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and we seek to model these values in our hiring and engagement practices for all our artistic and educational programs. We welcome applications by BIPOC candidates as well as individuals who bring new perspectives in a host of ways. It is the policy of The Contemporary Austin not to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status and to take action to ensure that those seeking to do business with the Contemporary are treated fairly. The Contemporary Austin aims to create a safe, welcoming working environment and doesn’t tolerate discrimination of any kind. The organization is currently pursuing a multi-year DEIA effort and seeks individuals who share our commitment to this work.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Opportunities:
Director of Human Resources
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The ideal candidate has experience with all aspects of human resources, preferably with a non-profit or cultural organization, including talent recruitment and acquisition, DEIA efforts, employee relations and performance management, policy development and compliance, and benefits administration. This position directly supervises an HR assistant. The Director of HR is a member of the leadership team, helps steer the organization’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access working group and works closely with the executive director to set policies that anchor the organization’s core health.
Reports to: Executive Director
Pay Range: $80k-100k
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Key responsibilities include:
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Qualifications:
To apply: Send resume and cover letter to hr@thecontemporaryaustin.org with the subject line “Director of HR.” Due to the volume of applications, we will only contact candidates who are strong candidates for the position. Thank you for your interest in The Contemporary Austin and please keep an eye on our careers page for current opportunities.
Director of Development
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The successful candidate is passionate about philanthropy, has a keen understanding of donor motivations, can seamlessly align donor interests with organizational need and priorities, and is entrepreneurial and forward thinking about the intrinsic value of the arts. They are hyper-organized, love systems, and are focused on both efficiencies and relationships. They also stay current with trends in fundraising both locally and nationally and relish the opportunity to create sustainable non-profit models.
Reports to: Executive Director
Pay Range: $100k - $120k
Status: Full-time, exempt
Key responsibilities include:
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
- Sets annual fundraising goals and budgets based on short, medium, and long-term organizational goals
- Oversees the donor relationship journey – from research to prospecting, cultivation, asking, thanking, and stewarding – and ensures that relationship-building and transparency are core to the fundraising program
- Oversee institutional giving strategy and execution, providing guidance on grant opportunities, development and maintenance of corporate relationships, and oversight of large-scale sponsorships
- Works closely with the executive director, board leadership, and the development committee to develop and meet fundraising goals
- Serves as primary liaison to the resource development committee and other event and income oriented committees and volunteers
- Manages department staff, serving as direct supervisor to Individual Giving Manager, Institutional Giving Manager, and Development Coordinator; thought partner and leader to the team across corporate, foundation, government, individual, and special event giving
- Oversees fundraising events that are on brand and achieve their fundraising goals.
- Ensures that all supporters are well stewarded and maintains their own portfolio of supporters
- Envisions the strategy for and implementation of fundraising strategies, key data tracking, reporting, storytelling, and case making
- Collaborates with the communications team to develop comprehensive and compelling print and digital fundraising collateral
- Ensures that the administrative and operational aspect of the department is high functioning and efficient including gift acknowledgements, records of receipts, and disbursements of funds, close restricted gift tracking, data entry, grant reporting and so on are all properly administered
Qualifications:
- 8+ years of experience working in major gifts and/or institutional giving
- Knowledge of local and regional philanthropy landscape
- Clear and compelling verbal and written communication skills
- Keen ability to communicate and serve as an ambassador for the organization’s mission and vision
- Experience strategizing annual fund, capital campaigns, and special events
- Strong and clear supervisory/leadership capabilities to align the various aspects of the organizations fundraising and contributed income channels
- Ability to think tactically/operationally to support and advise on “back of the house” functions and a true commitment to the processes and systems needed for a strong fundraising program
- Understanding of/appetite for creative/entrepreneurial approaches to fundraising
- Experience working with volunteer committees and maximizing ROI on networks and relationships
- An energetic, graceful, and inspiring asker
Context:
In 2011, The Contemporary Austin was born from a merger between two existing entities, Arthouse and The Austin Museum of Art. Over the past 10 years, The Contemporary has had several significant milestones, among them securing a $9M+ foundation gift that enables the development of its Laguna Gloria sculpture park and a capital campaign to create the welcome center at Laguna Gloria. Now, under new executive leadership the organization seeks to grow its annual fundraising program by formalizing and professionalizing its major donor program, focusing on impact and storytelling and taking a more audience centered approach to its work. With Austin’s rapid growth and new residents arriving from other cities where the arts are a key component to a healthy civic fabric, The Contemporary seeks to deepen its donor base and expand its audience and supporter reach. Our future senior director of development will be a key leader in this work.
Annual Budget: $8.2M
# of Trustees: 35
# of Staff: 75
Development department positions: Individual Giving Manager, Institutional Giving Manager, Development Coordinator, Membership Coordinator
Physical Locations: Gallery space: Jones Center (Congress & 7th Street); Sculpture Park, historic buildings, and Art School: Laguna Gloria (35th Street)
Income by %: 55% development, 30% earned income, 11% endowment, 4% other
To apply: Send resume and cover letter to hr@thecontemporaryaustin.org with the subject line “Director of Development” by April 30, 2023. Due to the volume of applications, we will only contact candidates who are strong candidates for the position. Thank you for your interest in The Contemporary Austin and please keep an eye on our careers page for current opportunities.
Membership Coordinator
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Reports to: Individual Giving Manager
Pay Range: $21.63/hour-$27.50/hour
Status: Full-time, Non-exempt
Key responsibilities include:
- Administer all aspects of the membership program including:
- Project manage the annual calendar of membership related activities
- Process all membership data entry, including transferring data from other online systems
- Draft membership communications ranging from direct mail and thank you letters to e-newsletters
- Work collaboratively across departments to ensure membership benefits such as admission access, special events, are fulfilled and proactively nurtured
- Support key membership initiatives, drives and campaigns
- Respond to membership inquiries via phone, internet, and mail and serve as a primary liaison to our members
- Work with the communications team to produce membership-related printed and web materials
- Work with the development committee as needed to cultivate new members and engage member prospects
- Occasionally work at evening and weekend events
Qualifications:
- One year of experience with non-profit membership program, marketing or fundraising departments, preferably in the arts and humanities
- Strong project management, administration, communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, keen attention to detail, strong work ethic
- A can-do, flexible, resourceful, and goal-oriented attitude
- The ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality is paramount
- Proficiency in Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; Proficiency with CRM software, preferably Salesforce
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, but strong work experience will be considered.
- Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred
- Experience using an email marketing platform preferred
To apply: Send resume and cover letter to hr@thecontemporaryaustin.org with the subject line “Membership Coordinator.” Due to the volume of applications, we will only contact candidates who are strong candidates for the position.
Database Administrator
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Reports to: IT Manager
Pay Range: $50k - $75k/year
Status: Full-time
Responsibilities include:
- Oversee Salesforce data integrity and system integration across platforms including, but not limited to, bookkeeping, ticketing, marketing, and mailing lists.
- Set up monitoring, processes, activities, and automation of tasks.
- Input, track, and maintain payments, contacts, opportunities, campaigns, and other data.
- Track impact data in coordination with finance and development efforts.
- Produce reports and perform data health checks; manage dashboards.
- Support internal cross-function troubleshooting of Salesforce
- Collect, assess, analyze, translate, and interpret data.
- Conduct backups and other routine tasks.
- User account administration, password management, profile, roles and security.
- Work closely with Salesforce consultants to define system requirements and customize the platform.
- Stay updated on technology platform new tools, capabilities, and updates
- Support Technology Systems and Knowledge Manager on special projects as assigned.
Qualifications:
- 2+ years of experience managing a Salesforce organization, preferably within a non-profit organization
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology or equivalent experience/certification
- Strong analytical skills – experience with evaluating information and recommending action
- Excellent communication skills to effectively exchange information with others
- Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks with excellent attention to detail
To apply: Send resume and cover letter to hr@thecontemporaryaustin.org with the subject line “Database Admin.” You may also submit an online application here. Due to the high volume of applications, we will only contact candidates who are strong candidates for the position.
Summer Programs Assistant (Art School)
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Summer Programs Assistants play a crucial role in the Art School’s summer class experience. Programs Assistants will assist with drop off and pick up, help keep our studios and supplies organized and stocked, will work closely with our faculty as on-call classroom helpers with students ages 4-11, and will assist in other functions as needed.
Reports to: Registration & Student Affairs Manager
Pay Rate: $16.50/hour
Status: Part-time, non-exempt, temporary
Weekly Schedule:
Responsibilities include:
Qualifications:
To apply: Send resume and cover letter to hr@thecontemporaryaustin.org with the subject line “Summer Assistants.” You may also submit an online application here. Due to the high volume of applications, we will only contact candidates who are strong candidates for the position. Thank you for your interest in The Contemporary Austin and please keep an eye on our Careers page for current opportunities!
CUSTODIAN
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Reports to: Facilities Manager
Department: Operations
Pay Range: $20/hour
Schedule: Wed-Sun, 8am-2pm
Responsibilities include:
- Perform routine custodial duties including dusting, mopping, vacuuming
- Maintain cleanliness of the Visitor Welcome Center, restrooms, offices, Villa and art school studios
- Ensure facilities are fully stocked and notify appropriate staff when supplies need to be reordered
- Keep café tables and surrounding areas clean
- Empty trash receptacles into the dumpster
- Perform urgent cleaning as needed (e.g. blood, vomit, burst water pipes)
- Report any safety, sanitary, or fire hazards to the appropriate department
- Clean and service custodial equipment as needed
Qualifications:
- Experience maintaining large, public spaces
- Possess working knowledge of the methods, technique, and materials used in custodial work
- Comfortable working outside in Central Texas weather conditions
- Ability to lift up to 40 lbs
- Ability to prioritize tasks
To apply: Send resume and cover letter to hr@thecontemporaryaustin.org with the subject line “Custodian.” You may also submit an online application here. Due to the high volume of applications, we will only contact candidates who are strong candidates for the position.
Venue Attendant
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Reports to: Site Rentals Manager
Department: Operations
Pay Range: $22/hour
Schedule: Part-time, Non-exempt
Responsibilities include:
- Act as point-of-contact for event planner and vendors throughout the duration of event contracted time
- Communicate with on-site vendors to meet agreed upon terms during load-in, event, and load-out.
- Coordinate with vendors and event planners to make sure all items are removed from the premises by closeout time
- Oversee event from start to finish to ensure that event planners and clientele are within the boundaries of contract and museum rules; perform rounds of the grounds during events.
- Ensure spaces dedicated to rental events are in good standing during rental.
- Operate a golf cart to transport guests on the property (Laguna Gloria Only)
- Complete end-of-event procedures including event and site closing, including follow-up documentation to rentals team as needed (such as incident reports and other reporting)
- Ensure guests and vendors leave property by their contracted-out time
- Document damages and incidents via Incident Report and Event Review Form
Qualifications:
- Excellent attention to detail, flexible and forward thinking to mitigate any issues
- Keen sense for client relations, problem solving, and communication skills
- Must have reliable transportation to both museum locations
- Must be available for a schedule that includes mostly late nights and weekends, and includes shifts of up to 10 hours
- Must be available to work a minimum of 3-4 shifts monthly
- Must be able to lift and carry items 20lbs and up depending on need
Experience & Education:
- Previous experience as a Manager on Duty or Event Assistant preferred
To apply: Send resume and cover letter to hr@thecontemporaryaustin.org with the subject line “Venue Attendant.” You may also submit an online application here. Due to the high volume of applications, we will only contact candidates who are strong candidates for the position.
ART SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS
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The Contemporary Austin is always looking for excellent teachers from diverse backgrounds to join our Art School. We take pride in the high quality of our instruction and the student-centered learning environment offered, and are seeking candidates with an exciting and innovative approach to teaching art in a community setting. We are currently seeking instructors with experience in metal fabrication for our Summer 2023 semester.
Faculty Requirements:
- BA or MFA in studio art, art education, or relevant teaching subject.
- Minimum of two years’ experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in preferred medium or field.
- High level of personal motivation, dependability, and punctuality.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to nurture, encourage, and support the creativity of developing artists.
Additional considerations when hiring:
- Instructor’s personal work and reputation as an artist.
- Facility and materials requirements for new class proposals.
- Likelihood a proposed class will meet or exceed our average class enrollment.
- Relevance of a proposed class to the mission of The Contemporary Austin and the Art School.
Instructor Application
Please apply at the above link. Applicants may also use the link to submit a new class proposal.
The Contemporary Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Click below to access our online employment application:
Additional opportunities to get involved:
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Our Mission
We invite you to discover contemporary art in settings that provoke thought and joy. Our programs join art with place in a pursuit of a deeper experience, a bigger conversation, and a closer community.
Our Vision
We believe in the capacity of art to transform lives. We dream of a future where more eyes, ears, hearts and minds are opened by contemporary art in all of its forms.
Our Values
Extending the Welcome – We want every person to feel like they belong here. Our invitation is completely open and inclusive.
Always Caring - We know that details matter. We care deeply about the quality of our work and about the experiences of our guests, the artists we collaborate with, our staff, and all those we have yet to meet.
Socially Mindful - We believe that contemporary art is a way for people to connect their personal experiences with the broader social and cultural dialogues of our place and time.
Staying Curious - We observe closely, listen intently, and inquire sincerely because we have a boundless fascination with people, art and ideas.
Making Progress - We always want to be better—to inspire more deeply, to engage more openly, and to serve more joyfully. We are mindful of feedback and committed to ongoing reflection and iteration.
Being Here - A place can transform your experience of art, and art can transform your experience of a place. We activate our downtown exhibition space and our lakeside sculpture park in imaginative ways to serve Austin.
Trying New Things - We believe in the importance of experimentation, play, and the surprise that often results from trying something new. We know that progress comes through both bravery and vulnerability.
About The Contemporary Austin
As Austin’s only museum focused on contemporary artists and their work, The Contemporary Austin offers exhibitions, educational opportunities, and events that start conversations and fuel the city’s creative spirit. Known for artist-centric projects and collaborations, The Contemporary invites exploration at both its urban and natural settings—downtown at the Jones Center on Congress Avenue, lakeside at the Laguna Gloria campus (including the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park, the Art School, and the historic Driscoll Villa), and around Austin through the Museum Without Walls program.