Job Objectives

The Manager of Residency and Exhibitions will have five major areas of responsibility: 

1. Oversee residency and its programming
   1. Manage the annual application process in collaboration with Executive Director
      1. post and promote opportunity
      2. recruit application readers 
      3. review, interview, notify applicants 
      4. select artist/curator pods, assign studios 
      5. onboard residents including receipt of contracts and info for promotion
   2. Conduct monthly resident virtual check-ins 
   3. Schedule and be present for studio visits, cafecitos and professional development workshops
      1. Collect workshop descriptions, bios and W-9s
      2. Send evaluations after each professional development workshop
2. Oversee exhibitions for gallery on site
   1. Maintain and manage exhibition + gallery sitting calendar
   2. Coordinate with preparators, curators, and artists for timeline, content and contracts
   3. Create and send exhibition press release to industry list
   4. Oversee exhibition installation and take-down 
   5. Coordinate artist/curator takeaway materials, summary of works, and checklist in collaboration with Executive Director
   6. Provide creative content for social media and newsletters
   7. Execute artists talks/activations/critique night or closing reception for each exhibition 

1. Community Building
   1. Maintain positive relationships with residents and alumni through regular outreach and internal/external celebration of their successes
   2. Bi-annual one-on-one check ins with residents in Year 1
   3. Keep Year 2 residents engaged via email invitations and WhatsApp messages
   4. Continue positive connection with residents in alumni status
2. Promote the residency, residents and their exhibitions through content for the newsletter, social media and website as determined by Executive Director. 
3. Manage external exhibitions and special projects as necessary

This position will work with CAC’s team and residents to ensure smooth business operations and promotions strategy. 

This position will ensure that the organization’s programs and communication embody our core values of Community Building | Career Development | Knowledge Sharing | Strategic Partnerships | Equitable Opportunities. 

This position is hybrid.

Compensation & Schedule

Pay is $26 an hour for up to 20 hours a week. A combination of work hours will be from home or onsite at Chicago Artists Coalition (1431 W. Hubbard St. #201 Chicago IL 60642). Schedule is flexible outside of CAC-hosted events which will vary throughout the month. Evening hours are necessary two to three times a month. On occasion there will be weekend hours.

The Manager of Residency and Exhibitions reports directly to the Executive Director.

Job Candidates

At Chicago Artists Coalition, we welcome and embrace a host of different backgrounds, perspectives, and approaches to work. CAC staff are a small team of fast-paced and conscientious workers who support each other through thought partnering, creative problem solving, and a spirit of generosity and positivity.

A well-matched candidate will bring:

• Experience working with visual artists from various disciplines and at different levels in their studio practice and career
• Experience with administrative practices, organizational skills and systems to track multiple projects and meet deadlines

• Knowledgeable about Chicago’s artistic and cultural landscape and networks

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to clearly communicate questions and concerns
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Sheets, Documents, Slides, Drive, and Meet), Constant Contact, Facebook/Instagram, and Microsoft Office Suite

Their attitude will include:

• A collaborative mindset and teamwork skills
• Ability to think critically and work independently
• Ability to communicate concerns and creatively troubleshoot issues
• Creative and proactive approach to setting and achieving goals 
• Close and conscientious attention to both details and the big-picture
• Eagerness to learn, be curious and grow professionally as an art administrator
• Empowerment to work confidently with art leadership across institutions

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Remaining in a stationary position, often sitting for prolonged periods in an indoor office environment.
• Must be able to navigate throughout various spaces in the building, between office area, galleries, studios and loading dock.
• Written and oral communication with others to exchange information and perform duties
• Ability to read materials on a computer screen
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
• Moderate noise level consistent with an office environment, gallery setting, and working studios
• Ability to arrange tables, chairs, and carry lightweight artworks.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

CAC is an active member of Enrich Chicago. We strive as staff, board of members, and residents to dismantle systemic racism in the arts by:

• Educating ourselves and our communities on the existence and impact of historic racism and designing new thinking and practices to offset its impact
• Strategically thinking and implementing new policies and practices within our organizations intended to analyze and disrupt the long term effects of historic racism
• Creating and connecting pipelines across the city to increase the number & success of global majority people in the arts

Equal Opportunity: Chicago Artists Coalition values the perspectives and talents of a diverse staff and is committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. CAC is an equal opportunity employer and employs personnel without regard to race, color, age, pregnancy, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, veteran status, marital status, disability, or any other bases protected by law.

To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates may send a letter of interest, résumé, and contact information for three professional references to Brookes Ebetsch, Executive Director at: brookes@chicagoartistscoalition.org. 

Applications will be open until Monday, June 22. 
In the subject line of the email, include: RES & EXH Job: First Name Last Name. 

Strong candidates will be expected to participate in an interview, in person, at 1431 W. Hubbard St. #201 Chicago IL 60642. Questions will be made available to candidates in advance of the interview, as well as the timeline for the hiring process. Expected start date is no later than: August 1, 2026.