Studio Programs Assistant (SPA)

Position: Studio Programs Assistant (SPA)

Department: Education

Supervisor: Creative Arts Manager

Position Status: Part-time, Hourly Non-Exempt, At Will (onsite)

Work Schedule: Weekly Sundays, 11am – 5pm and additional events and programs as scheduled (must be available to work on weekend hours, especially Saturdays, Sundays, and Monday holidays)

Availability: Available to start by April 12, 2026

Overview: The Institute of Contemporary Art strives to share the pleasures of reflection, inspiration, provocation, and imagination that contemporary art offers through public access to art, artists, and the creative process. The Studio Programs Assistants (SPAs) will work within the Education department as needed to support and implement public studio programs and events. SPAs will prepare and facilitate workshops, activities, and events at the ICA, such as the ICA’s Play Date program for youth and families. SPAs hold a regular schedule on Saturdays or Sundays and may work additional shifts that correspond to events and programs at the ICA, such as vacation weeks and Monday holidays. Hiring is contingent on passing a CORI screening.

The Studio Programs Assistant contributes to a culture of collaboration, community, and respect while embodying the principles of ICA’s Quality of Service and centers the work of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Belonging in all areas of their work.

WORKING AT THE ICA:

1. All ICA employees are required to reside in Massachusetts and within a reasonable commuting distance from our Seaport location as of their first day of work.

Responsibilities:

• Work with ICA Education staff to prepare and implement studio programs for a range of audiences.
• Facilitate and lead art-making workshops and activities.
• Support visitors of all ages in their art-making; lead art making experiences that are inclusive and developmentally appropriate.
• Maintain studio spaces and ensure that materials are accessible, frequently replenished, well organized, and presentable.
• Maintain knowledge of related artists and artworks, foster connections with works on view at the ICA.
• Work with ICA Education staff to collect and update data on studio programming.

Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal skills; background working with family and youth audiences, a plus.
• Experience or demonstrated interest teaching studio-based lessons and workshops in visual arts to a range of audiences.
• Knowledge of studio art media, materials and processes.
• Strong organizational skills; penchant for maintaining well-organized studio spaces.
• Ability to identify, react to, and resolve visitor-related issues in the moment with professionalism and tact.

• Ability to remain calm when working with youth and families.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information with departments, and with diverse and multigenerational audiences.

• Ability to work independently as well as on a collaborative team.
• Bilingual or multilingual, a plus.
• Must have weekend availability.
• Must pass a CORI screening.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of remaining stationary, standing and/or moving about during Play Dates, activities and events.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds, pushing and pulling, keyboarding and gripping.
• Ability to move about in the office to access files, printers, etc., and in the Art Lab.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While the above is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

Pay Rate: $19.00

How to Apply: 

Interested candidates should submit their resume, letter of interest, and the contact information for two professional references to jobs@icaboston.org. When applying, please include “Studio Programs Assistant” in the subject line.