Visitor Associate

ROME GROUP; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 18,184 - 25,898; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off accrued hourly at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

Job summary

The ROME GROUP is seeking welcoming Visitor Associates to provide excellent customer service and ensure artwork safety during the Counterpublic 2026 exhibition in St. Louis. This part-time position requires a minimum of 16 hours weekly and includes working Wednesdays to Sundays with some evenings and weekends for public events.

Ideal candidates will have customer service experience and a strong interest in the arts. Responsibilities include staffing exhibition hubs, providing visitor information, and ensuring the safety of the artwork. Interested individuals should apply by submitting their resume and cover letter to the Managing Director.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Customer service or retail experience with public interaction.
• Prior experience as a visitor associate preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Staff the exhibition hubs during open hours and events.
• Provide information to visitors and ensure the safety of the artwork.
• Collect visitor information and operate point of sale system.

Skills

Customer service experience

Strong interest in the arts

Dependability

Punctuality

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Visitor Associate

Counterpublic is seeking welcoming Visitor Associates to provide excellent customer service and ensure artwork safety for the Counterpublic 2026 exhibition. You will be part of a visitor experience team that takes full ownership of the exhibition hub locations by overseeing the welcome desk, merchandise sales, and artwork safety while ensuring Counterpublic is always prepared to welcome visitors. This position is part of the front of house team and requires interaction with the public through open exhibition hours and public tours.

Reports to: Managing Director

Status: Part‑Time/ Non‑Exempt; minimum of 16 hours per week from September 2-December 13, 2026.

Hours: Standard working hours are Wed‑Sun, 9:30am‑5:30pm and will require flexibility with periodic weekends and evenings for public events.

Location: The exhibition sites are located throughout St. Louis and include: the Counterpublic Carriage House located in the Grand Center Arts District; The Ville neighborhood; The International Institute of St. Louis; and Lacelede’s and Chouteau’s Landing.

Compensation: $16/ hour

Benefits: Part‑time staff benefits include Paid Time Off accrues hourly at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

About Counterpublic: Counterpublic is a triennial exhibition reimagining the role of art in public life. Located in St. Louis, Counterpublic connects art with lasting impact by bringing together bold ideas with the region’s most pressing challenges. As one of the largest public art exhibitions in the nation, Counterpublic celebrates and spotlights the St. Louis region as an epicenter of art and culture through ongoing partnerships and artistic programming. The focal point is a three‑month, citywide exhibition with dozens of the world’s leading artists.

Our next exhibition opens in September 2026 and will engage artists, institutions, and communities across the region.

Learn more at www.counterpublic.org

Your Responsibilities

• Staff the exhibition hubs during open hours and events to provide information to visitors and ensure safety of the artwork.
• Maintain basic knowledge of Counterpublic, artwork on view, and programs.
• Perform duties at the welcome desk at each exhibition hub by providing exhibition information to visitors, collecting visitor information, operating the point of sale system for merchandise.
• Monitor visitor interaction with the art and maintain an alert presence to ensure safety of the artwork.
• Provide a welcoming environment while also enforcing exhibition guidelines in a polite and respectful manner.
• Provide visitors exhibition resources and amenities and be a champion of St. Louis hospitality.
• Open and close the exhibition at different locations and troubleshoot minor malfunctions for artwork or facilities, as needed.
• Perform duties to assist with special events and programs including assistance.
• Perform daily housekeeping tasks as needed.
• Participate in ongoing staff training on exhibition policies and practices.
• Maintain open communication with colleagues and report meaningful visitor interactions, incidents, and concerns to appropriate staff.
• Adhere to all Counterpublic policies and procedures as set forth in the visitor experience training manual and exhibition‑specific protocols.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED
• Customer service and/ or retail experience and the ability to interact easily with the public
• Prior experience as a visitor associate or gallery attendance preferred but not required
• Strong interest in the arts
• Available to work open hour shifts and events including evenings, weekends and some holidays
• Dependability and punctuality
• Ability to perform light physical tasks associated with maintenance

Equal Opportunity Statement

Counterpublic is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status.

We are committed to building a team that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage individuals from historically marginalized communities—including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others—to apply.

Counterpublic is committed to transparency and to principles of anti‑racism, anti‑oppression, equity, and inclusion and is putting these principles into practice at all levels of the organization.

Apply

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter to Jess Bellomo, Managing Director, at [e-mail] by July 22 for guaranteed consideration.

Please note if you live or work in The Ville or Tower Grove Neighborhoods or have specific relationships to The International Institute St. Louis.

Applications will be received through July 22 or until all positions are filled.