The Bard Graduate Center is a graduate research institute in New York City dedicated to the study of the cultural history of the material world and committed to the encyclopedic study of things, drawing on methodologies and approaches from art and design history, history of technology, philosophy, anthropology, and archaeology and cultural history. Our students gravitate to careers in museums, academia, the art world, and publishing. Our MA and PhD degree programs, gallery exhibitions, research initiatives, and public programs explore new ways of thinking about decorative arts, design history, and material culture.
Reporting to the Visitor Services Manager, the Visitor Services Associate will join a small and dynamic front-of-house team for the BGC Gallery.
The Visitor Services Associate will work between 7 and 22 hours per week, January 21–May 24, 2026. Weekend availability is required. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Responsibilities:
Directly interact with the public, providing exceptional customer service and sharing general gallery information, policies, and procedures
Open and close the gallery each day; coordinate with gallery staff and others to troubleshoot digital interactives and other enhancements
Process sales of exhibition and event tickets, publications, and other merchandise by credit card and cash
Troubleshoot sales platform (Square) as needed
Check guests in for exhibitions and public events
Check gallery voicemail and field phone calls
Share information about institutional programming, membership benefits, and events, tours, and gallery hours
Assist with publication and merchandise inventory and restocking
Re-stock promotional materials and maintain an organized workspace
Assist visitors with registration for public events
Create a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors
Direct the activities of student workers as needed
Coordinate front desk needs with multiple departments, including Exhibitions, Development, Digital Humanities and Exhibitions, Facilities, Finance, Marketing, Public Humanities + Research, and Security
Track and report sales and attendance to other departments as needed
Develop familiarity with BGC’s accessibility accommodations and coordinate with other departments to effect changes and improvements as needed
Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
Weekend availability
Consistently reliable and team oriented
Previous experience in museum visitor services, theater front-of-house, or similar customer service setting
Experience with cash handling and credit card processing
Excellent organizational and communication skills
Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Familiarity with or ability to learn ticketing (SimpleTix) and sales (Square) applications, Basecamp, Mailchimp, NXT/Raiser’s Edge, and other software as needed
Confidence interacting with the public and staff in a positive, enthusiastic manner
Strong desire to create a welcoming and warm environment for the public
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in customer service jobs, internships, or volunteer opportunities
An interest in the arts or art history
Experience implementing equitable practices for accessibility and racial justice
We expect the successful candidate to be stronger in some qualifications listed above than others; we are committed to helping our future colleagues expand their skills and hope to learn from their areas of strength.
Salary and Benefits:
This is a non-benefits eligible position, paid at a range of $22-$25/hour for a maximum of 22 hours each week.
To Apply:
Send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references as a single PDF or Word doc to [email protected] with the subject line Visitor Services Associate. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.Bard College is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.
