18th Street Arts Center,

Public Engagement Coordinator

Posted
2 days ago
Employment type
Part-Time, Contract
Location
Santa Monica
Closing date

About this organization

18th Street Arts Center is one of the top artist residency programs in the US, and the largest in Southern California. Conceived as a radical think tank in the shape of an artist community, 18th Street supports artists from around the globe to imagine, research, and develop significant, meaningful new artworks and share them with the public. We strive to provide artists the space and time to take risks, to foster the ideal environment for artists and the public to directly engage, and to create experiences and partnerships that foster positive social change.

About this job

The Public Engagement Coordinator is responsible for executing 18SAC’s events and

engaging community groups through outreach to build participation. Event curation and

program development are led by the Deputy Director of Artistic Programs in collaboration

with artists and community partners; the Public Engagement Coordinator does not develop

content but is responsible for all aspects of event production and implementation. This role

ensures events are successfully implemented—from scheduling and contracting vendors to

setup, hosting, breakdown, payment processing, and post-event follow-up, including internal

reporting. The Coordinator works closely with artists, vendors, and internal staff to manage

logistics, AV, hospitality, and materials. Some evenings and weekends will be required to

support public events and community engagements.

Roles & responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

● Coordinate the production of 18SAC’s art events, including workshops, openings, panels, screenings, performances and community engagement activities.

● Responsible for all aspects of event logistics and production, including scheduling, coordinating vendors, managing AV, and overseeing setup, hosting, and breakdown.

● Supports the preparation and processing of vendor contracts and payments.

● Manages event timelines, tracks expenses, and procures materials.

● Develops and executes detailed run-of-show schedules in coordination with internal staff, artists, and community partners.

● Attend local wildfire recovery community meetings as a representative of 18th Street for outreach to wildfire survivors.

● Track audience participation, collect feedback, and support program evaluation through post-event reporting, documentation, and observational assessment.

● Maintain accurate records and contribute data for internal reporting and grant requirements.

● Support marketing and communications efforts, including coordinating printed and digital materials, photography, and program documentation.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

● Strong verbal and written communication skills

● Excellent organizational, time management, and follow-through skills, with strong attention to detail

● Working knowledge of audio-visual equipment, including projectors and sound systems

● Demonstrated interest in public engagement and experience interacting with diverse community members

● Experience working in contemporary art or cultural organization settings

● Proficiency with Google Workspace, including Docs, Sheets, and Drive

● Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

● Ability to quickly learn new systems and take direction effectively

● Experience supervising and coordinating event support staff

● Experience using digital event and communication platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Humanitix, and Instagram Live

● Ability to lift up to 25 lbs, move tables and chairs, and lead event setup and breakdown

Nice-to-have but not required qualifications:

● This role requires reliable access to our Santa Monica location and the ability to work intermittent, in-person hours (including short shifts).

● Familiarity with database and CRM systems

● Working knowledge of (Canva, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, etc.)

● Spanish fluency (speaking and writing).

● Familiarity with the contemporary art field’s concepts and practices.

Salary

$30/hour, with total annual earnings capped at $13,000

To apply

Please upload the following documents to our application form here:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a111fd5d1e284902bfe0831777de5954

1. Cover letter

2. Current Resume

3. List of three professional references with contact information

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