Assistant Director, Athenaeum Art Center

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library seeks a full-time Assistant Director, Athenaeum Art Center (AAC) to oversee daily operations, establish new programming and outreach opportunities, and act as the public face of the Athenaeum Art Center to visitors, patrons, colleagues and the Barrio Logan/Logan Heights community. The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated, strategic thinker with expert knowledge of printmaking, programming, and education efforts, and a passion for community building.

Assistant Director, Athenaeum Art Center is a full-time exempt position and reports to the Executive Director. Work location is on site in Logan Heights. Pay range is $72,000–77,000, commensurate with experience. Work schedule is dictated in part by programs and events, including frequent evening and weekend work. This position is not compatible with remote work. Must have access to reliable transportation and have a valid California driver's license. Job offer is contingent on passing a background check.

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is a non-profit cultural organization and membership library dedicated to providing studio art classes, year-round exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and other public programs, and music and arts library resources to San Diego communities. We work across two locations: the historic library in downtown La Jolla, and the Athenaeum Art Center in Logan Heights, inside the Bread & Salt building. This position offers an opportunity to join the organization at an exciting moment of growth as we embark on a strategic planning process and a grant-funded interior renovation of the Athenaeum Art Center facilities.

Reports to: Executive Director

Manages: Print Studio Assistant

The Athenaeum Art Center Assistant Director responsibilities will include:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the AAC, including managing a calendar, facilities, event rentals, and maintenance to ensure the smooth running of the center

• Work closely with Athenaeum staff to liaise for concerts, artists talks, workshops and classes

• Work with the Executive Director and Athenaeum staff to collaborate on strategic plan for the Athenaeum, fostering good relations with the hyper-local community and the greater San Diego-Tijuana region

• Manage middle, high school, and college and university activations in the print studio, as well as outreach visits to local schools

• Create community partnerships with artists, arts leaders, local organizations and businesses, and other Bread + Salt tenants

• Assist with preparing information for grant applications, and identifying new ideas for funding and partnerships

• Work with the Executive Director to create a robust program of multi-generational programming that draws audiences of all ages to drive year-round attendance and engage the community in the Athenaeum’s mission

• Work with the Executive Director to organize exhibitions and related programming at the AAC

• Attend staff meetings, serve on the Art Advisory Committee, and participate in Athenaeum events at the La Jolla location, as needed

• Oversee and attend the monthly Barrio Art Crawl

• Organize displays of work in the Print Studio to highlight the printmaking artist community and capabilities of the Print Studio

• Manage print studio resources, with support from the Print Studio Assistant

• Print posters to promote AAC and Athenaeum events

• Work closely with the Director, School of the Arts to support and maintain printmaking and book arts classes in the curriculum

• Create new programs for the Print Studio with potential partners as appropriate

• Oversee and manage member and public Open Print Studios to support local printmakers

• Provide assets and information to Communications Manager to ensure robust presence of the AAC on social media

• Manage Print Studio Assistant and other events-related staff as needed

Experience and Qualifications:

• Fluent in spoken and written Spanish and English

• 3–5 years’ experience in positions of progressive responsibility in arts and culture management. Experience in non-profit administration and public-facing work preferable

• Previous experience in a letterpress studio or a similar setting; strong familiarity with various printing techniques and processes

• Ability to learn on the job, seeking out resources and thinking creatively when needed

• B.A. or B.F.A. in a related field

• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills to effectively engage with artists, members of the press, and community members

• Expertise with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and Powerpoint)

• Detail-oriented and organized with a strong ability to successfully multitask

• Excellent event and project management skills

• Proven ability to take initiative, prioritize, set goals and meet deadlines

• Ability to work with and across diverse communities and multiple perspectives

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends based on organizational needs

• Interest in and aptitude for diversity, equity, and inclusion work

Benefits:

• Generous vacation package and employer-sponsored healthcare plan in addition to a voluntary benefits package

• 13 holidays per year on Athenaeum designated holidays

• Paid sick leave, 1 hour for every 30 hours worked

• 403b program with match opportunity after one year

• Family membership to the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library

• Free admission to Athenaeum/AAC lectures, concerts, art classes, and select events

Starting date: October 2025 or as soon as possible

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume addressed to Christie Mitchell, Executive Director, to careers@ljathenaeum.org.

The Athenaeum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience, without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

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