About the position
The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the oldest continuously operating public art museum in the United States, is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated Gallery Attendants (GAs) to enhance the visitor experience. As a Gallery Attendant, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that guests feel welcomed and informed during their visit. Your primary responsibility will be to serve as a friendly and approachable presence throughout the museum, assisting visitors with wayfinding, providing information about the museum's collections and special exhibitions, and promoting public programs and events. You will also be tasked with helping to keep the artwork safe from damage and ensuring the safety of all museum visitors. In this role, you will demonstrate the highest level of customer service, remaining professional, personable, and engaging with all museum visitors. It is essential to stay knowledgeable about current exhibitions, the museum's collection, public programs, and events, as well as local arts and culture opportunities in Hartford. You will actively promote these resources to enhance the visitor experience and align with the museum's brand and mission. Additionally, you will be responsible for monitoring visitor behavior to protect the artwork, ensuring compliance with museum policies regarding food, drink, and photography, and adhering to current health guidelines. You will assist with wayfinding, manage timed gallery experiences, promote museum membership, and participate in mandatory meetings and trainings. Your role may also involve working special events and responding to emergencies, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests.
Responsibilities
- Demonstrate the highest level of customer service, remaining professional, personable, and engaging to all museum visitors.
- Ensure that the visitor experience aligns with the museum's brand and mission.
- Remain knowledgeable about exhibitions, the collection, public programs and events, museum resources, and Hartford City arts and culture opportunities, and promote all to visitors.
- Protect the artwork by continuously observing visitors' behavior while circulating in specific areas or galleries, including monitoring for restricted items and touching of art.
- Ensure that visitors follow museum policies regarding food or drink in the galleries, photography of artwork, and current State of Connecticut guidelines related to Covid-19.
- Assist in wayfinding, providing directions and suggested routes of travel.
- Implement time and line management for timed gallery experiences (includes use of iPad).
- Promote museum membership; understand any special promotions and changes.
- Attend all mandatory department meetings/trainings.
- Work special events, performances, opening receptions, public programs, and other programs as assigned.
- Respond quickly and calmly to emergencies and assist others in the event of an emergency.
- Other related duties as assigned by the Head of Visitor Experience and Services.
Requirements
- Entry-level position with a focus on customer service and visitor engagement.
- Ability to remain knowledgeable about the museum's exhibitions, collections, and public programs.
- Strong observational skills to monitor visitor behavior and protect artwork.
- Excellent communication skills to provide information and directions to visitors.
- Ability to work collaboratively with other staff members and departments.
