Amant is a non-profit art organization that fosters artistic experimentation and dialogue across disciplines offering studio residencies, exhibitions, and public programs to those working within the creative field. Amant participates in cultural partnerships while encouraging community engagement through programming that explores and expands the field of contemporary art and culture.

The Amant Bookstore

The Amant Bookstore is a social space that was born in the spirit of a library: we believe in the power of books to create knowledge, imagine new social bonds, and empower. To that end, the Café & Bookstore is also a space for public programs, often centered on writing, reading, and storytelling. The books we collectively select are mostly published by independent presses and reflect the themes explored in our exhibitions and public programs. We are interested in a variety of disciplines, connecting contemporary art with poetry, literature, music, and theory.

Bookstore Associate, Part-time

The Bookstore Associate, will be responsible for the overall management and day-to-day operations of the bookstore and will be a main public face of Amant, greeting visitors and bookstore costumers, providing book information and connecting it to the exhibition program and institutional mission. They will also supervise the archiving of books and documentation in our growing library.
This position reports to the Director and Chief Curator, and the Visitor Engagement Coordinator.
The Bookstore Associate will work from Thursday through Sunday, 12:00 - 6:00 pm. This position may be required to attend events and openings, including on occasional evenings and weekends. Compensation $25 per hour.

Responsibilities

Bookstore and Library
- Supervise and cultivate relationships with publishers and editorial houses, purchase publications, follow up with all the orders, creating new deals and opportunities
- Assist with the selection of the books, researching new publishing houses, publications initiatives, and being attentive to new releases to ensure that the bookstore reflects Amant’s mission
- Support in data management of Square inventory database and enter data upon receiving new book deliveries
- Work on marketing, and social media initiatives in consultation with the Communication team
- Conduct onsite sales and customer service
- Strategize and implement rotating displays to maximize sales while representing the scope of publications presented at Amant
- Keep the bookstore supplies fully stocked
- Produce labels to best represent inventory and enhance customer experience
- Analyze sales patterns to inform sales initiatives and merchandising strategies
- Retain full, up-to-date knowledge of book and library inventories at Amant

Community relations
- Assist and collaborate in the production of our book launches and setup of events, in collaboration with Amant’s staff
- Maintain and build new relationships with local non-profits, galleries, businesses, and community groups to increase awareness and foot traffic to Amant bookstore with the possibility of developing collaborations and partnerships

Library
- Amant hosts a growing library with books and documents related to our exhibitions and programs. The Bookstore Associate is responsible for adequately updating our database, labeling all the books and documents that are part of our library

Visitor Services
- Provide information about Amant, our mission, programs (especially publications) to visitors and answer their questions
- Provide excellent customer service, expanding the current customer base, and cultivating repeat customers and customer loyalty
- Have a thorough understanding of Amant’s protocols for opening and closing the building as well as the use of systems such as temperature, lighting, and security
- Understand our neighborhood and the nearby cultural spaces and be able to answer questions about them

Required Qualifications

• Passion for art publications and contemporary art
• A proven engagement in contemporary artists’ books and publications and an understanding of the contemporary art publishing world and its networks
• A minimum of two years professional experience including bookstore, or art-related retail experience
• Excellent organizational skills with great attention to detail
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Ability to multitask, problem-solve, and work well under pressure
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Experience or proficiency with artbase a plus

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please send your documents to employment@amant.org with “Bookstore Associate” in the subject line. Deadline for applications: March 30, 2023

Amant is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is Amant’s policy to not unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, or any other characteristic made unlawful to consider by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Amant also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Amant’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding consideration of unemployment status, salary history, credit/bankruptcy history and criminal background/conviction history in making hiring decisions.

We are looking for a Production Manager to be responsible for a broad range of activities related to the administration/operations, registration, production and coordination of exhibitions and public programs. Collaborating directly with the curatorial team, the position oversees production and manages outside fabrication and acts as a liaison to third party vendors. This position reports to the Director and Chief Curator and the Chief Operation Officer.

The Production Manager will work full time Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm, and may at times be asked to work additional hours and weekends according Amant’s programs. Salary to consummate experience. Starting range 70-75k. Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverages along with generous PTO, sick time, paid holidays and access to a 401k plan.

The Production Manager is responsible:

• For fully supporting the Curatorial department in all aspects of Amant’s exhibitions and public programs planning and execution
• Collaborate with the Head of Installation to ensure production and exhibition tasks are properly organized, staffed, and supervised to meet demanding deadlines and communicated internally with the wider team
• Provide in-gallery project management to achieve installation goals
• Liaise with artists, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders, as it relates to exhibitions and public program implementation
• Provide input for the development of budgets maintaining adherence to them

Exhibitions
- Work with curatorial team on drafting and executing loan agreements
- Correspond with lending institutions, as needed
- Organize incoming and outgoing shipments of artworks and other exhibition materials in conjunction with the Head of installation
- Create a production checklist for art works
- Enter exhibition records in Art Base
- Communicate and provide exhibition and production updates, schedules and other important information across the different departments
- Assist with exhibition mockups through digital rendering and or physical models.
- Coordinate printing, framing, fabrication, A/V tech, and other art production
- Work with Head of Installation to determine deadlines for shipping and return of loaned artworks
- Perform research and creative problem-solving related to art production, fabrication, and object needs
- Research and purchase exhibition-related materials in collaboration with the Head of Installation
- On-floor supervision in collaboration with Head of Installation of arts handlers, and technicians supporting exhibitions. Including installation schedules and methods to ensure deadlines are met
- Maintain thorough records of production vendors, methods, and expenses.
- Oversee and track general exhibition upkeep and maintenance

Public Programs
- Supervises the development, production, and implementation of public programs (such as lectures, music events, performances, community festivals, book launches etc.) and coordinates with the different departments and external stakeholders the necessities for each event
- Source all material and equipment needs either via Amant’s inventory or through outside vendors
- Communicates and coordinates all staging, seating, and AV requirements with internal and freelance staff - Works with Visitor Experience Manager to finalize audience experience

Facilities
- Working closely with Chief Operating Officer, assist with managing facilities, construction, remodeling, and general campus appearance
- Act as liaison for outside contractors
- Schedule and oversee scheduled building maintenance

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in Art, Architecture, Design, or Art History
• Excellent communication skills is a must
• Demonstrated project management with at least 5 years of professional experience. Museum and non-profits arts organizations are preferred
• Relationships and knowledge of New York City vendors is a plus
• Familiarity with art handing, packing, rigging and transportation best practices.
• Experience organizing performance and live events is highly desirable
• Experience with wide range of AV equipment such as projectors, media players, and other exhibition technologies
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small team environment
• Ability to research answers and solve problems independently
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (especially Word and Excel)
• Working knowledge of CAD, SketchUp or other drafting software
• Familiarity with database systems such as ArtBase

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please send your documents to employment@amant.org with “Production Manager” in the subject line. Deadline for applications: April 15, 2023

Amant is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is Amant’s policy to not unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, or any other characteristic made unlawful to consider by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Amant also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Amant’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding consideration of unemployment status, salary history, credit/bankruptcy history and criminal background/conviction history in making hiring decisions.