Exhibition Technician (Part-Time)

School-of-Visual-Arts-; New York (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Part time

Job summary

The School of Visual Arts (SVA) is seeking an Exhibition Technician for its Galleries, a part-time role responsible for assisting with installation and removal of exhibitions across three NYC locations.

The position requires about 20 hours weekly with variable days; responsibilities include directing students, coordinating logistics, inventory, and maintaining gallery spaces, with extended hours during installation periods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in fine arts, art history, museum studies, or related field.
• At least 1 year of experience installing gallery or museum exhibitions.
• Knowledge of artwork handling and exhibition logistics.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Assist with handling, movement, and installation of artwork across gallery locations.
• Direct students and Exhibition Assistants on the gallery floor during installations.
• Support on-the-floor installation and removal logistics for planning and administration.
• Reorganize and clean the gallery and storage spaces between exhibitions.
• Conduct inventory checks of gallery fixtures, electronics, tools, and expendable materials.
• Provide administrative support between installations and during planning periods.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Google Workspace

Strong communication

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in fine arts or related field

Tools

SketchUp

Job description

JOB TITLE: Exhibition Technician (Part-Time)

JOB POSTED: September 10, 2026

DEPARTMENT: SVA Galleries

REPORTS TO: Academic Exhibitions Manager

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

COMPENSATION: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour

SCHEDULE: Part-Time, 20 hours per week

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Academic Exhibitions Manager, the Exhibition Technician supports the installation and removal of exhibitions across the three SVA Galleries locations.

During scheduled installation and removal shifts, the Exhibition Technician oversees day-to-day activity on the gallery floor, including directing Exhibition Assistants and students, troubleshooting installation issues as they arise, and escalating decisions to the Academic Exhibitions Manager when needed. This on-the-floor coverage allows the Exhibitions Manager to focus on concurrent planning and administrative work during active installations. Between exhibitions, the Exhibitions Technician supports gallery and storage organization, equipment and materials inventory, and exhibition planning.

This is a part-time position of approximately 20 hours per week. Days and hours vary with the exhibition installation schedule and departmental needs, with hours concentrated during installation and removal periods across the three SVA Gallery locations, and shifting toward organization and administrative support between exhibitions. Extended or evening hours may be required during installation and removal periods.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with the handling, movement, and installation of artwork across the three SVA Gallery locations.
• Serve as the first point of contact for students and Exhibition Assistants on the gallery floor during scheduled installation and removal shifts, directing their work and escalating issues to the Academic Exhibitions Manager as needed.
• Support the Academic Exhibitions Manager with on-the-floor installation and removal logistics, enabling the Manager to carry out planning and administrative work concurrently.
• Reorganize and clean the gallery and storage spaces between exhibitions.
• Conduct inventory checks of gallery fixtures, electronics, hardware, tools, and expendable materials.
• Support the Academic Exhibitions Manager with administrative tasks and exhibition planning between installations.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in fine arts, art history, museum studies, curatorial practice, or a related field.
• One (1) year of experience supporting the installation of gallery or museum exhibitions.
• Working knowledge of artwork handling and exhibition logistics.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two (2) years of experience coordinating gallery or museum exhibitions.
• Experience working with artists and cultural institutions.
• Experience working with students in an academic setting.
• Familiarity with SketchUp or comparable exhibition layout software.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Skilled in the safe handling, movement, and installation of artwork, consistent with established gallery best practices.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to support inventory tracking, gallery/storage organization, and exhibition planning across multiple concurrent projects.
• Clear, professional communication skills, with the ability to serve as the first point of contact for students and Exhibition Assistants on the gallery floor.
• Ability to direct and coordinate student workers during installation and removal shifts, and to accelerate issues to the Academic Exhibitions Manager appropriately.
• Ability to work independently during installation periods while keeping the Academic Exhibitions Manager informed.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace for administrative and planning support.
• Flexibility to work a schedule that shifts with the installation calendar, including extended or evening hours during installation and removal periods.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Location: Three SVA Gallery locations: 209 East 23rd Street, 601 West 26th Street, and 141 West 21st Street.
• Schedule: Part-time, approximately 20 hours per week; days and hours vary with the exhibition installation schedule and departmental needs. Standard department hours are typically 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
• Flexibility: Adaptable to schedule or location changes; extended or evening hours are required during installation and removal periods.
• Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
  • Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb ladders, and perform other physical tasks associated with exhibition installation and deinstallation.
  • Willingness to handle and move artwork and exhibition materials using established museum best practices.
  • Regular travel between sites is required.

About SVA

For more than seven decades, the School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. With more than 7,000 students at its Manhattan campus and over 41,000 alumni across 128 countries, SVA represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For more information about the College's 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, visit sva.edu/academics.

The School of Visual Arts is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion are core principles of the College. SVA's community includes a significant number of people from historically underrepresented communities, ethnic and religious backgrounds, gender identities, and countries of origin, as well as individuals of diverse abilities — and all are encouraged to apply.