Lunder Institute Fellowship Coordinator

Job Description
Department:
Lunder Institute of American Art
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Employee Type:
Job Summary:Lunder Institute of American Art
Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

The Lunder Institute fellowship coordinator works closely with the director of the Lunder Institute of American Art (LIAA) and LIAA managers, to ensure the timely and high-quality execution of the LIAA fellowship programs and their operations. Responsibilities are focused but not limited to the work related to LIAA residential fellowships; they may also include coordination of non-residential fellowship activities and the organization of convenings, symposia, lectures and other campus and public engagements offered through the LIAA. The successful candidate will perform diverse and complex functions that require strong attention to detail, independent judgment, and initiative. The position requires a high degree of skill in communicating and interacting with artists, scholars, researchers, students, staff, faculty and external constituencies as well as strong organizational skills. This position must project a positive and professional attitude, while coordinating the logistics and needs of LIAA fellows while on and off the Colby campus. They must know and understand the need to maintain a high level of integrity, hospitality, and professionalism. Colby College is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment where every member of the community feels a sense of respect and belonging.

About the Lunder Institute:
Founded as part of the Colby College Museum of Art in 2017, the Lunder Institute for American Art stimulates cross-disciplinary collaboration in the field of American art among a diversity of artists, scholars, faculty, students, and community members through fellowships, workshops, convenings, mentorship, and programs. Based at the Greene Block and Studios in downtown Waterville, Maine, and guided by a commitment to equity and racial justice, the Institute acts as an incubator for the field at a national level, investigating and producing new understanding of American art, past and present, and its relationship to the current questions of our time.

Mission: Informed by place, in collaboration, and in community, the Lunder Institute for American Art expands who shapes American art and alters its contours, while demonstrating the value of art as a public good.

A COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Working to advance equity and inclusion in the field of American art—and, by doing so, in the wider world—is core to our mission. We feel the urgency of national and campus conversations on inequality and are keenly aware of the unique responsibility that we have as an academic art museum—as a place where we can listen, ask questions, and challenge assumptions—to engage in this dialogue, and to act. We affirm the Colby Museum’s commitment to multidisciplinary teaching and learning and our potential for deep engagement with students will be leveraged in this effort toward fighting racialized violence, injustice, and inequality.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Work with the LIAA managers to plan and organize, all LIAA fellowships, programs, events and operations
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all residential fellows, with some required point of contact responsibilities with fellows, scholars and artists
• Work with the Lunder director and LIAA managers to facilitate programs
• As the liaison between LIAA, Colby, and fellows, the coordinator is responsible for managing and organizing the logistics associated with fellowship application process, onboarding and on site accommodations, and the required communication needed between the artists, staff, departments at Colby, and external community partners
• Coordinate general office workflow ensuring the timely processing of incoming data and documents, responsiveness to internal and external inquiries, and fulfillment of various fellowship operational tasks
• Assist with monitoring, tracking, and evaluating the quantity and quality of fellowship programs, including data-gathering, writing reports, etc.
• Manage administrative functions and student workers, setting behavior expectations, ensuring adherence to campus/work study limits, and providing mentorship, as needed
• Working with the LIAA staff to coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to organize meetings and events such as artists studio visits, open studio events, fellow orientation, and other required fellowship engagements
• Collaborate with Colby Museum academic and public engagement staff and college faculty to facilitate and coordinate curricular engagements and community partnerships
• Provide a welcoming experience for fellows and visiting artists
• Assist in the delivery of departmental communications with internal and external constituents by contributing accurate research and developing high-quality documents and presentations Facilitate the gathering and recording of any LIAA fellowships related documentations of expenses, as needed by LIAA and the College, for any budget processes, policy requirements, and procedures
• Create, update, and distribute LIAA Fellowships program schedule and calendar to participants/colleagues
• Continually communicate with fellows and with campus community and external partners, including providing program details
• Oversee and organize communication and correspondence with and between LIAA Fellowship alumni and LIAA
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
• Minimum of 2 years of related work experience in higher education, artist residencies or nonprofit arts organizations preferred; experience organizing events and facilitating community engagement preferred
• Proven experience successfully leading complex projects through completion
• Experience in budget preparation and monitoring
• Knowledge and/or interest in American and contemporary art and art history preferred, but not required
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to multitask in a fast-paced working environment; perform effectively under pressure; check work to ensure accuracy and completeness; track and follow-up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled
• Ability to anticipate potential problems and take initiative to implement resourceful, appropriate solutions
• Exceptional planning, organizational and time management skills to supervise multiple projects as well as the flexibility to adjust to shifting priorities as new projects are assigned
• Adept at exercising independent judgment in a highly visible and fast-paced environment based on knowledge of the College and the Lunder Institute for American Art
• Talent to lead, influence, and provide direction as appropriate
• High level of proficiency with technology, including superior skills with Microsoft Office and Google Suite software
• Ability to make an impact as a member of a team and diverse community
• Deep appreciation for the liberal arts model and Colby’s mission and values

KEY RELATIONSHIPS :

Reporting to the Lunder Institute of American Art managers, this position has direct contact with Colby Museum of Art, colleagues, students, faculty, staff, alumni/parents, trustees, senior administrators, vendors, and the local community.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Some evening and weekend work is required throughout the year to be determined by the needs of the department.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT :

Successful and satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).

TO APPLY :

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Lunder Institute Fellowship Coordinator - Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901-8855