Gallery Coordinator

Make lives meaningful through making.

Who We Are

Penland School of Craft is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 16 teaching studios and 60 historic and contemporary buildings. We are an equal-opportunity employer with a staff of 50+. Penland operates with a $54 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $8.4 million. We are located about an hour northeast of Asheville, NC. 

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Penland School of Craft, we believe that fostering a climate of equity, inclusion, diversity, and antiracism are essential to our work. We are committed to creating a campus community free of discrimination, and we welcome everyone who supports this commitment. 

Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and other people who identify as people of color or BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply, as are people holding other marginalized identities related to gender, sexual orientation, ability, and class background.

Reports to: Gallery Manager

Department: Gallery

Supervision: None

Employment Status: Full-time (Tuesday - Saturday)

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Start date: May 20, 2025

Last Updated: March 2025

Position Summary

The Gallery Coordinator reports directly to the gallery manager and plays a key role on the gallery team in all aspects of the Lucy Morgan retail sales gallery including sales, customer service and cultivation, eCommerce, social media promotion, and artist development. Working collaboratively with the Gallery Manager and Gallery Curator, they provide support for exhibitions in the FOCUS Gallery and John & Robyn Horn Gallery, and plan and execute exhibitions in the Visitors Center. This is a technical, administrative, and services-oriented position.

 

Primary Responsibilities

• Welcomes visitors and gallery customers and shares information; facilitates purchases, orders, commissions, and inquiries about Penland-affiliated artists; works with gallery team to develop new customer relationships and sustain long-term customer service
• Coordinates receiving, condition reports, and inventory entry for the Lucy Morgan Gallery and supports Gallery Manager with installation and deinstallation of all work; coordinates with Gallery Sales Associate to ensure proper packing and shipping for all work sold or returned to artist
• Works collaboratively with gallery team to maintain the gallery’s eCommerce site and website; including photographing work, editing photos, and supporting online sales through WooCommerce, Lightspeed, and Wordpress
• Coordinates social media activity; works closely with the Gallery Manager to develop and implement social media strategies to promote the Lucy Morgan Gallery; works closely with Gallery Manager and Gallery Curator to schedule content for the FOCUS Gallery and John & Robyn Horn Gallery
• Supports the Gallery Manager with all aspects of inventory management and record-keeping
• Supports Gallery Manager in executing FOCUS Gallery exhibitions, including artist communication, receiving work, condition reports, inventory entry, installation, deinstallation, photography, and social media promotion
• Supports Gallery Curator in executing John & Robyn Horn Gallery exhibitions including receiving and unpacking artwork, completing condition reports, painting walls and pedestals, installation, lighting, deinstallation, packing, and shipping

• Works closely with Gallery Manager to plan and execute innovative Visitors Center Gallery exhibitions showcasing the history of Penland and its role in the national craft community 
• Works with gallery team to develop new artist relationships, sustain long-term artist representation, and actively build a diverse and inclusive artist roster
• Participates in all shared administrative responsibilities, team meetings, training sessions, and other meetings upon request; performs additional duties as required

 

Qualifications

• Commitment to advancing Penland’s mission, educational philosophy, and equity, inclusion & diversity efforts and goals
• Knowledge and curiosity about the field of contemporary craft and the artists, processes, and materials represented by the Penland Gallery as an extension of Penland School
• At least 2-3 years of relevant professional experience, including applicable gallery, retail, customer service, marketing, and/or sales experience
• Energy and enthusiasm to welcome artists, visitors, and patrons to Penland and the gallery and to cultivate relationships with diverse groups of people with professionalism and respect
• Commitment to serve as a strong, collaborative, and effective member of the gallery team; an eagerness to actively participate in the work that needs to be done; dependable, adaptable, and responsive to the changing needs of the gallery
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as strong planning, administrative, and organizational skills
• Proven experience in facilitating multiple projects while working independently, proactively, and collaboratively; detail-oriented, self-motivated, able to set priorities and meet deadlines; also important, the capacity to recognize when to ask for advice
• Functional ease with Google Suite, Mac OS, Adobe Creative Suite, social media platforms, and DSLR photography; basic experience with Wordpress and POS software is preferred
• Working knowledge of gallery and exhibition operations; the Penland Gallery & Visitors Center supports large and small format exhibition spaces and an online shop, presenting work in a range of craft media from functional to conceptual
• A valid and active driver’s license is required

 

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, work at a computer, and perform repetitive tasks. The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle or touch objects, tools, or controls and to talk fluently, and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand,  walk, and bend. The employee must regularly lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds or more. Specific vision required by this job includes close vision. Skillful use of hand and small power tools, the ability to climb a ladder, and safely move heavy and fragile objects is required for this job. 

 

Benefits

We take care of our staff through a wide range of benefits. For your wellness, we offer multiple medical plans, vision, dental, long-term disability, life insurance, and an EAP program. This includes generous paid time off, sick leave, extended sick leave, occasional access to studios, two paid sabbaticals, meals during programming, and other discounts. Employees are eligible for a free class each year after two years in the position. We have other generous benefits that we can explore more during the interview process. 

 

Compensation

This is a year-round, full-time, non-exempt, benefits-eligible position.  This is a 40-hour-per-week position, totaling 2080 hours annually. The starting wage for this non-exempt position is negotiable within the range of $17.70 - $21.63, based on the applicant’s skills and experience they bring to the position.