Student Gallery Assistant Fall 2026

Illinois State University; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Illinois State University is seeking a Student Gallery Assistant for Fall 2026 to support the University Galleries' daily operations and exhibition activities. You will assist visitors, help install and de-install artworks, and ensure safe handling of pieces while providing friendly customer service.

This role offers experiential learning in photography, archiving, carpentry, and video editing, with opportunities to develop technical and professional skills in a campus gallery setting.

Qualifications

• Preferred qualifications include hospitality, gallery experience, photography, archiving, carpentry, video editing, data management, or design skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide visitor services and reception duties.
• Assist in installation and de-installation of art exhibitions.
• Interact with guests and ensure safety of artwork.
• Answer and transfer incoming calls to appropriate staff.
• Open and close galleries; maintain general upkeep.
• May lift up to 25 lbs.

Skills

Hospitality

Guest services

Photography

Digital archiving

Print archiving

Carpentry

Data management

Video editing

Graphic design

Web design

Job description

Title: Student Gallery Assistant Fall 2026
Employee Classification: Student Help Regular
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: University Galleries

Job Summary

Regular duties include visitor services/reception, assisting in the installation and de-installation of art exhibitions, interacting with guests, ensuring the safety of artwork, accepting incoming calls and transferring to appropriate personnel, opening and closing the galleries (depends upon schedule), and general gallery upkeep.

Students with applicable skill sets in photography, digital and print archiving, carpentry, data management, and video editing will have the opportunity to further their professional development in some of these areas.

University Galleries is seeking employees with positive attitudes, the ability to adapt to a variety of work environments, and the ability to provide customer service.

Students in this position may need the ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Additional Information

Student employees are eligible to participate in the University’s 403(b) Plan. More information can be found here.

Pay Rate

$15.00/hour

Preferred Qualifications

We welcome applicants with experience in any of the following areas: hospitality, previous gallery experience, graphic/web design, photography, digital and print archiving, carpentry, music/sound production, or video editing.

Work Hours

Hours span 6-15 hours per week during regular business hours (Monday-Thursday 9a.m. - 5p.m., Friday 9a.m. - 8p.m., and Saturday-Sunday 12p.m. - 4p.m.) with additional hours possible during installation dates and events. University Galleries is open seven days a week and recognizes the administrative calendar. Schedules are subject to change every semester.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Effectively communicate on a daily basis.

Proposed Starting Date

Fall 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume, Cover Letter, Reference List and Work Availability

Contact Information for Applicants

Lisa Lofgren
[e-mail]

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

In addition, all appointments are contingent upon proof of eligibility for employment at Illinois State University to perform the required duties described above on your scheduled start date. The Immigration and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires all new employees to file an I-9 in person and no later than three days from the beginning of employment. This may be accomplished within the department or through Human Resources. A list of the types of documentation you will be expected to provide is available at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents. Failure to comply with this law will result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University is required by federal law to ensure proper tax withholding from wages and to ensure that the required reporting of employee wages, withholding, and employment taxes is accurate. For this reason, every employee must have a valid Social Security Number registered with the University at the time of employment and/or as soon after as possible, but no later than 45 days from the start date. Failure to comply with this law may result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University student employees are restricted to no more than 28 hours per week of on-campus employment for all positions held.

International students are restricted by their visa status to no more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment when the university is in session but may work more when the university is not in session. International students should contact the Office of International Studies and Programs for guidance if they have questions concerning employment restrictions.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at [phone]. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at [phone].