MFA-Track Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships in the Arts Administration program are available to students on the Master of Fine Arts degree track. In these assistantships, students are considered professional staff at one of our affiliate organizations. Students are awarded assistantships on an individual basis according to both the needs of the program and of the affiliate organization. The career goals of the student are also taken into consideration. All students are given the opportunity to change assistantships at the end of their first year in the program if they so desire. Assistantships are not available to students on the online Master of Arts degree track.
Photo: SUUAA Capstone Presentations (2018)
NOT AVAILABLE IN THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
Under the direction of the Coordinator of Collections, and as a member of the Collections + Exhibitions team, the Collections Associate is responsible for adhering to best practices as they relate to collections management and exhibition installation. This part-time MFA-track student position will assist with collections and database management, artwork re-housing and transportation, gallery rotations, and condition reporting, and will implement the Campus Loan Program and Integrated Pest Management Plan.
Collections
- Under the direction of the Coordinator of Collections, organize and update collections records and artist files, perform collections research, assist in annual campus inventory, and internal inventory.
- Assist Coordinator of Collections with compiling information for collections committee meetings, taking notes at meetings, and inputting new designations
- Implement collections rehousing projects, including (but not limited to) de-framing works on paper and creating new flat files for each artwork
- Coordinate Campus Loan program, managing Airtable interface, facilitating requests, managing correspondence with campus stewards, and performing site visits, installations, and pick-ups
- Implement the Integrated Pest Management Plan
- Assist in all condition reporting
Exhibitions
- Assist in all aspects of gallery rotations, with special emphasis on condition reporting/deinstallation process, and loan management
- Assist with artwork transportation, when needed
- Assist with exhibition planning/curatorial work, as needed
Under the direction of the Coordinator of Learning & Engagement the Community Programs Associate will help coordinate programs and events with a special focus on the adult community.
Community Days
- Coordinate booking live performers for one Community Day per exhibition cycle
- Develop any additional educational materials for the event with the Coordinator of Learning and Engagement
- Create an event plan and communicate any additional staffing needs to the Coordinator of L+E
- Manage set-up and take-down of the event with a special focus on any audio/visual needs
Art After Dark
- Coordinate one hands-on workshop a semester for adults ages 21+
- Coordinate a teaching artist to lead the workshop
- Secure catering of light snacks and alcohol for the event
- Create an event plan and communicate any material/purchasing needs to the Coordinator of L+E
- Manage set-up and take-down of the event and assist the teaching artist during the workshop
Creative Aging
- Coordinate one hands-on workshop series a semester for adults ages 55+
- Coordinate a teaching artist to lead the workshop
- Create an event plan and communicate any material/purchasing needs to the Coordinator of L+E
- Manage set-up and take-down of the event and assist the teaching artist during the workshops
- Look for potential partners to host a pop-up exhibition of participant work at the conclusion of the workshop series
- Coordinate the logistics and implementation of the pop-up exhibition if necessary
Day of the Dead
- Develop two to three hands-on activities to be done in person during the event with the rest of the L+E team
- Assist with creating instructions and examples for the activities
- Assist with creating materials list and communicating all purchasing needs to the Coordinator of L+E
- Assist with preparation of all activity materials for the event
- Attend the event and assist with the management of the activities throughout the day
K-12 Education
- Assist with leading K-12 tours as needed
- Assist with attending and leading STEAM night activity as needed
Partnered Events
- Develop a quick hands-on activity for partnered events for adult/SUU audiences as they are scheduled. (past example: SUU 125th Anniversary)
- Create instructions, examples, and day-of plan
- Create materials list and communicate any purchasing needs
- Manage setup and take and lead activity day-of
- Table events as needed
NOT AVAILABLE IN THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
Under the direction of the Manager of Marketing and Communication, the Digital Marketing & Public Relations Associate at Southern Utah Museum of Art will assist in efforts to promote exhibitions, programs, and SUMA’s brand through digital marketing and public relations tactics.
Digital Marketing
- Manage all email campaigns under the direction of the Manager of Marketing and in coordination with other departments
- Draft copy for emails, identifying museum news and events through photos, headlines, and short blurbs
- Ensure email contact lists are regularly updated
- Contribute content ideas during weekly social media editorial meetings
- Draft social media content as needed
- In coordination with the Manager of Marketing & Communication, coordinate podcast episode production through concept development, organizing interviews, drafting scripts and notes, recording material, and editing episodes
- Produce graphics and videos related to promotion of the podcast
- Publish episodes for distribution, writing episode titles and descriptions
- Produce audio guides as needed in coordination with other departments
- Assist with website copy updates
Public Relations
- Draft press releases as related to exhibitions, events, and other museum news
- Draft talking points and assist with media interviews as needed
- Track media mentions and generate quarterly PR value reports
- Manage marketing events Google Calendar, and submit events to community and arts organizations calendars
- In conjunction with the Coordinator of Visitor Experience, coordinate campus and Cedar City poster distribution, including maintaining distribution lists
- Organize and attend on-campus tabling opportunities at events, club fairs, and as needed to promote programs and events
- Submit marketing assets to Student Involvement and Leadership Marketing for on-campus promotion
Under the direction of the Coordinator of Learning + Engagement, the K-12 Learning Associate will help plan and implement programs and events for K-12 students and educators.
K-12 Tours
- Develop lesson plans, tour materials, and hands-on activities
- Create a detailed tour script with adjustments for secondary school audiences
- Create detailed instructions and examples of hands-on activities
- Create materials list and communicate any purchasing needs to the Coordinator of L+E
- Develop pre and post visit activities
- Identify relevant books or integrated lesson topics
- Create in-depth lesson plans that include vocabulary, instructions, and examples of hands-on activities that adhere to the K-12 Utah Core Curriculum Standards
- Lead school tours with support from L+E team members and the Coordinator
STEAM Nights
- Develop 15 minute activities for K-5 that integrate art with STEM
- Create materials list and communicate any purchasing needs to the Coordinator of L+E
- Train L+E team to lead the activity
- Attend and lead STEAM night activities
- Track and report attendance
Spring Break Out Kits
- Develop 2-3 art activities for take-home art kits that include detailed instructions and examples
- Create materials list and communicate all purchasing needs to the Coordinator of L+E
- Coordinate art kit assembly and communicate additional staffing needs to Coordinator of L+E
Teen Art Camp (summer)
- Coordinate a teaching artist to lead a five-day art camp for 13-18 year olds during the ICSD summer break
- Coordinate with the contracted teaching artist to plan all lessons and activities
- Create an event plan and communicate any material/purchasing needs to the Coordinator of L+E
- Manage daily set-up and take-down and assist the teaching artist during the camp
Create Playdate (Summer)
- Develop hands-on activities for preschool children (ages 3-5) twice a month
- Identify a relevant story book for each activity
- Create instructions, examples, and a day-of plan for in-person activity
- Manage setup, take down, and lead the story time and associated activity
Partnered Events
- Develop a quick hands-on activity for partnered events for K-12 audiences as they are scheduled (past example: OSU Children's Jubilee)
- Create instructions, examples, and day-of plan
- Create materials list and communicate any purchasing needs
- Manage setup, take down, and lead the day-of activity
- Table events as needed
Under the direction of the Manager of Marketing and Communication, the Social Media Associate at Southern Utah Museum of Art will assist in efforts to promote exhibitions, programs, and SUMA’s brand through social media. This position offers opportunities to learn more about social media marketing through conceptualization, documentation, scheduling, and analytics.
General Duties & Responsibilities
- Create social media content for SUMA’s social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest
- Contribute social media and video content ideas for all platforms during weekly editorial calendar meetings
- Schedule posts in a timely manner with an opportunity for review from Manager of Marketing & Communication
- Respond to comments and messages as appropriate, flagging any questions to manager
- Promote SUMA news and events in local Facebook Groups
- Track weekly and monthly analytics
- Lead weekly social media editorial calendar meetings
- Track SUMA’s reputation on travel and review platforms such as TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google MyBusiness
- Stay current with online trends and social media marketing strategies
NOT AVAILABLE IN THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
The Graduate Associate in the SUU Advancement Office works alongside University Advancement Officers to experience a wide range of donor-related activities with an emphasis on SUMA and CPVA programs. As a member of the SUU Advancement team, the Advancement Associate will:
- Support the SUU Advancement office by participating in the planning and execution of various donor-related programs, activities, and events.
- Collaborate with CPVA Director of Development (DOD) to develop and execute projects and campaigns specifically supporting the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) and/or the College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA)
- Utilize Banner, Asana, and Basecamp tools for data recording and communications
- Collaborate with DOD and SUMA’s Executive Director to strategize and implement SUMA fundraising and friendraising programs and projects.
- Lead the Friends of SUMA membership program including identification, qualification, solicitation, and retention of new and existing members at all levels of giving
- Maintain current Friends of SUMA membership information, track expiration dates, execute monthly communications to meet new member and retention goals.
- Participate in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of CPVA and SUMA donors
- Participate in writing and tracking of funding applications
- Create contact reports and contribute to data accuracy efforts in Banner
- Support the Exec Director of Government Relations in preparing for and participating in the upcoming legislative session
- Perform other duties as assigned
NOT AVAILABLE IN THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
The Graduate Associate in SUU's Marketing Communication Office helps in its efforts to promote and elevate the SUU brand. This individual will join a team of professional creators who define, elevate, and protect the brand identity of Southern Utah University, providing a positive and interactive experience for the campus community who utilize our services and talents. Through our engaging storytelling, the Marketing Communication Office reinforces the mission and vision of SUU. In this position, the Marketing Associate will:
- Create fun, engaging content for multiple social media platforms and various audiences such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Tik-Tok
- Assist the Marketing Manager in developing new marketing and advertising campaigns
- Help analyze web, social and advertising data and offer recommendations
- Help with campus marketing efforts for the College of Performing and Visual Arts, the Southern Utah Museum of Art, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival as opportunities arise.
- Write some press releases and blog posts
- Assist with the website redesign project
- Assist with campus brand ambassador program
- Research latest industry trends and best practices
- Perform other duties as assigned
NOT AVAILABLE IN THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
The Development Associate of The Utah Shakespeare Festival is responsible for assisting
the development department achieve its fundraising goals by engaging directly with donors
in all phases of the fundraising cycle. The associate will:
- Support the Director of Development and the Executive Producer in the development
of fundraising plans - Contribute to the development and maintenance of a comprehensive annual
fundraising calendar including specific target dates for individual activities detailed in
project management software - Assist in the calendaring of appointments for the Director of Development, Executive
Producer, Artistic Director, members of the Board of Governors, and others as needed - Conduct prospect research in all areas of fundraising, including attending events,
conference and community activities to identify and develop relationships - Conduct back-office support, including processing donations, managing and
maintaining lists in the database and other office duties as requested - Meet with visiting guests and arrange/conduct backstage tours and interactions with
USF artists and organizational leaders, serve as an ambassador to the Festival,
Including greeting guests in the lobby, at seminars, greenshows, etc. - Plan, write and submit grant applications according to project management software
schedule - In coordination with the Director of Development, help manage special events such as
USF Galas (Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Cedar City), on-site fundraising events, spring
and fall appeal and assist in the creation of future events - Provide written content for development materials as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned
The Education I Associate at the Utah Shakespeare Festival is part of a four-person team that plans, develops, and coordinates all education initiatives of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. This position includes marketing, development, event planning, data analysis, and guest experience. The associate will:
- Support planning and management of education events during the academic year
- Collaborate with Education team and SUU theatre dept on running the Shakespeare Competition in October
- Assist in developing, marketing, and implementing summer education camps, classes, and programs such as: Backstage tours, seminars, and Playmakers
- Assist Education Associate II with Shakespeare-In-The-Schools Tour booking, taking full responsibility as the booking manager in the summer
- Data collection and analysis of education events
- Assist Education Associate II with creation and maintenance of online education resource content
- Attend fundraising events as a representative of the Education Department
- Take the lead on writing the yearly NEA/Arts Midwest Shakespeare in American Communities grant
- Maintain collaborative relationships with representatives of SUMA for events in the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts
- Communicate with Assistantship Mentor on personal learning goals
- Perform other duties as assigned
NOT AVAILABLE IN THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
The Education II Associate at the Utah Shakespeare Festival is part of a four-person team that plans, develops, and coordinates all education initiatives of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. This position includes marketing, development, event planning, data analysis, and guest experience. The associate will:
- Train and mentor Education I Associate
- Support planning and management of education events
- Collaborate with Education team and SUU theatre dept on running the Shakespeare Competition in October and manage the ShakesComp website
- Data collection and analysis of education events, especially tracking POPS numbers
- Attend fundraising events as a representative of the Education Department
- Work on the creation and maintenance of online education resource content
- Work as the booking manager for the Shakespeare-In-The-Schools tour
- Support Associate I in writing the Shakespeare in American Communities grant
- Coordinate and organize PlayTeam members to assist in education programs and events
- Maintain collaborative relationships with representatives of SUMA for events in the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts
- Act as department liaison with Communications and Marketing departments to develop season brochure and other marketing materials for educational programming
- Act as department liaison with Production regarding the Shakespeare in the Schools tour
- Communicate with Assistantship Mentor on personal learning goals
- Perform other duties as assigned
The Marketing Associate at the Utah Shakespeare Festival helps the Communications Team in its efforts to promote USF in daily marketing and public relations activities. As the Community Engagement Coordinator, this individual will be responsible for organizing, planning, and implementing the Festival’s community involvement. This can include speaking arrangements, educational outreach, local parades/art festivals, or attending trade shows. This position reports directly to the Media and PR Manager and serves on the social media committee. The associate will:
- Assist in the yearly update and implementation of the marketing plan
- Coordinate and organize community events
- Write press releases
- Obtain and analyze monthly social media metrics
- Assist the PR manager in writing reports and analyzing data
- Assist with local and regional media interviews
- Oversee and implement traditional and new media promotions directed at SUU students
- Maintain media database
- Create content for various social media platforms
- Assist with weekly Blog posts
- Assist other members of the marketing and publications team as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned