RESIDENT ARTIST PROGRAM ASSISTANT POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Djerassi Resident Artists Program enjoys an almost mythic renown among artists of all disciplines as a laboratory for creativity and place of tremendous natural beauty. Settled in the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains yet close to Silicon Valley, the Program is a distinguished and globally recognized base for artistic and scientific exploration, planetary discovery, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As a residency, we provide creative professionals with the gift of uninterrupted time and space to make, shape, and inspire; to enhance our environment, our society, and our world. 

The Djerassi Resident Artists Program hosts artist residencies throughout the year comprising eight or nine artists of various disciplines from around the world. The program is located on a secluded 580-acre ranch in the coastal Santa Cruz Mountains, 40 miles south of San Francisco, CA. 

The Program Assistant supports residency administration, operations, and programming working under the Director of Artists Experience, and in coordination with the Executive Director and Facilities team. 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Welcome artists and orient them to the ranch facilities. Participate in the artists’ orientations.
Provide transportation for artists to and from Bay Area airports, or other locations; provide periodic trips to Palo Alto and vicinity for errands, and occasional other trips to various Bay Area locations.  
Confidence in driving on curvy mountain roads is essential.
Help coordinate the local transportation schedule for arriving and departing artists.
Assist artists with their shipping needs for supplies and equipment. 
Assist with the annual Open Studios and other special events including set-up and clean-up.
Serve as on-site staff for weekends, nights, and holidays as coordinated with Djerassi staff
Assist with the management of computers, printers, and other equipment for the artists’ use. 
Help artists set up for their evening presentations. Involves use of slide projectors, video and audio equipment. Attend and photograph presentations.
Retrieve mail and newspapers when required from mailboxes.
Perform basic care and organization of ranch buildings and restock household supplies as necessary. 
Perform basic grounds maintenance, gardening, deck sweeping, etc. 
Assist with setting-up rooms for new artists’ arrival. Do laundry as necessary including table napkins and linens. Keep inventory and maintain adequate stock of clean linens and household supplies.
Maintain artists’ files, correspond and communicate with artists as required. Distribute and collect session-end evaluation forms. Write up artists’ projects / accomplishments for files. 
Manage the copy machine and fax charges; coordinate the artists’ charge system and petty cash accounting, collect and account for funds due at session end. 
Assist with coordination of the Artists’ Duties schedule.
Assist with dinner preparation and arrangements, set the table on weeknights from 6:00 PM; host dinner alternately with Resident Manager; and help artists with clearing the table and doing dishes.
Help coordinate the dinner guest reservation system.
Photograph AIRs and Program events in casual snapshot situations. Help produce the season’s photo album. 
Perform other duties as assigned by the Direct of Artists Experience or Executive Director.

Qualifications:

Experience or strong interest in visual arts, public art, art history or collections management is required
A B.A. degree in art practice or administration with some related practical work experience is desired
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds
Must possess a valid California driver’s license
Must possess advanced computer skills
Ability to complete assignments independently and maintain a flexible attitude
Ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or diverse backgrounds

Employment Opportunity:

Our organization strives to create a diverse and inclusive environment for individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of identities, including but not limited to gender, racial, ethnic, and social-economic dimensions. We aim to maintain and develop a working environment where individuals are welcomed to express their affiliations, advocacy, associations, and appearance freely. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving our long-term vision and mission. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented to apply. If you are a member of one of the equity groups, and you would like to self-identify, you are encouraged to do so in your cover letter or elsewhere in your application. This is optional and not required.

Salary: Hourly rate of $20-25 

Living on site is required for this position. The ability to relocate before starting work is required. Housing on site is provided for this position.

Full-time Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Vision insurance
COVID-19 considerations:

We have instated a range of Covid-19 safety protocols, including a vaccine requirement for staff and artists and other policies.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter and resume expressing interest to info@djerassi.org