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Work With Us

The Art Effect empowers youth to develop their artistic voice to shape their futures and bring about positive social change. We help youth in the Hudson Valley from all backgrounds explore, experience, and excel in the arts, introducing them to visual arts and media, giving them the opportunity to develop real skills in these fields, and guiding them towards achieving their academic and career goals. Our legacy of supporting personal growth, creativity, and self-expression through the arts has been a driving force in the life of our multicultural community for more than 30 years – Mill Street Loft since 1981 and Spark Media Project since 1994 and now Barrett Art Center in 2021. Building on this strong foundation, The Art Effect is now the largest arts education nonprofit in the region.

Current Openings:

Director of Institutional Giving/Grants Management

Description for this block. The Director of Institutional Giving/Grants Management is an effective partner to the Executive Director and Director of Donor Relations in guiding the organization to fulfill an ambitious mission and to manage and implement our collaborative development efforts as we grow in size and complexity. This position will oversee the development of relationships and systems that advance institutional giving (both government and foundations) at all levels. The ideal candidate will have expertise in institutional fundraising as well as be a well-rounded development professional with communications acumen; a team player; and able to manage multiple deadlines and priorities on a daily, weekly, quarterly, and annual basis. Excellent writing and management skills are required.

This is a full-time, on-site position in Poughkeepsie, NY.  Periodic weekend and evening work may be required during events. Generous vacation/paid time off package, health insurance and 401K.

See full job description.

Director of Donor Relations

The Director of Donor Relations is a new position in an expanding development department that will guide the organization to fulfill an ambitious mission, manage and implement our collaborative development efforts as we grow in size and complexity. This position will oversee the development of relationships and systems that advance individual giving at all levels, including major donors, events, and appeals, and is integral to developing new funding for capital campaign support and general operations. The ideal candidate will have expertise in individual fundraising and be a well-rounded development professional with communications acumen; a team player; and able to manage multiple priorities on a daily, weekly, quarterly, and annual basis.

This is a full-time, on-site position in Poughkeepsie, NY, partial remote work is negotiable. Generous vacation/paid time off package, health insurance and 401K.

See full job description.

Ulster Arts Camp Director

The Art Effect is seeking a dynamic, professional, and creative camp director for Ulster Arts Camp in New Paltz, NY. Ulster Arts Camp provides weekly themed summer program sessions for ages 5 – 11 where children can explore their artistic abilities and express themselves through creative group and individual activities. Responsibilities include managing staff of counselors, CITs, and teaching artists, maintaining/monitoring the quality of camp instruction, cleanliness of spaces, and professional environment, leading set-up and clean up of camp spaces, and organizing the final showcase each week.

Degree in education and background in visual arts, performing arts, music, and/or digital media preferred. CPR/AED/First Aid certification preferred but willing to certify. Supervisory experience, experience teaching, and/or working with children ages 5-11 required.

See full job description.

Summer Teaching Artists

The Art Effect is currently hiring for summer teaching artists for it’s summer arts camps, Dutchess Arts Camp and Ulster Arts Camp as well as the Summer Art and Junior Art Institute. Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camps are The Art Effect’s signature summer arts enrichment opportunities, serving children ages 5 -11 in Poughkeepsie and New Paltz, NY.

The Summer Art and Junior Art Instutute is The Art Effect’s portfolio development summer programs, serving ages 11-19. The Art Effect is looking for teaching artists to provide students with a strong foundation for their visual art education and a sequence of techniques to advance portfolios, preparing them for successful careers and acquiring merit-based scholarships to the nation’s best art schools.

Teaching artists will plan and implement summer coursework and creative art projects, teach lessons, engage with students, and set up and clean up of classroom studio spaces. BFA in visual arts, arts education, or a related field preferred. Preference given to candidates specializing Drawing, Painting, 3D/Mixed Media, Digital Illustration, Animation, and Dance, Music and/or Theater.

Summer Art and Junior Art Institute full job description.
Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camps full job description.

Summer Camp Counselors and CITs

The Art Effect is hiring for the Dutchess and Ulster Arts Camps for Summer 2024!

Counselors work directly with a single group of around 12 children throughout the day, age groups ranging from 5-11 years old, supervising CITs, supporting teaching artists to make sure students stay on task in their arts projects while still having fun, stay with students during pre-morning circle time, snack time, lunch time, and overseeing parent pick-up.

Counselors In Training (C.I.T.s) help with supervising a group of around 12 campers ranging from 5-11 years old in their group during recreation times and during arts classes; assists with camp preparation and clean-up; serves as a positive role model for young children and helps to create a supportive camp community.

8:30 to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, plus camp set-up and move-out and paid trainings.

APPLY HERE

Teaching Artists

The Art Effect is looking for teaching artists for the 2023-2024 Art Institute, our signature portfolio development program serving ages 5-19. The Art Institute inspires and motivates students, preparing them for successful careers and acquiring merit-based scholarships to the nation’s best art schools.

An ideal candidate will have:
● BFA in the visual arts, arts education, or a related field
● Experience in working with youth and/or teaching
● High energy and be able to inspire excitement in others

This is a part-time/seasonal, position.

See full job description

Director of Programs

The Director of Programs is responsible for researching, planning, developing and evaluating The Art Effect’s programs and projects. They ensure that all programs are delivered on time, within budget, and according to quality standards. This is a senior-level position, overseeing other program directors and managers. The ideal candidate will have a passion for youth development and the arts, and serve as the lead program administrator of the organization. They will have at least 5 years of experience in program design, development, and management. The Director of Programs must be innovative, well-organized, growth-oriented, practical, visionary, and possess a positive attitude.

This is a full-time, on-site position in Poughkeepsie, NY. Generous vacation/paid time off package, health insurance and 401K.

See full job description

Internship opportunities:

To quote founding board member Peter Leonard (former Director of Fieldwork, Vassar College), “In an internship, your classroom becomes the world.” At The Art Effect, we believe that authentic learning happens in the application of knowledge to real-world situations and problems. An internship at The Art Effect is an opportunity to gain professional experience.

interns at the art effect

The Art Effect offers internships for school credit in three sessions per year:

  • Spring (January-May): Availability required is 5-10 hours per week during traditional business hours (M-F, 10am – 5pm) or after-school hours during the school year (M-Th, 2:30 – 5:30 pm).
  • Summer (June-August): Availability Required 16 hour per week (2 full days)
  • Fall (September-December): Availability required 5-10 hours per week during traditional business hours (M-F, 10am – 5pm) or after-school hours during the school year (M-Th, 2:30 – 5:30 pm).

Applicants are asked to consider the internship descriptions below and send letters of interest in specific positions, along with a current resume or CV, to: Cory Spraker, Operations Manager, at Cory@thearteffect.org.

Art Institute Intern
The Art Institute Intern should have an art-focused background as well as a strong interest in arts administration and art education. This intern will work on a variety of tasks including welcoming students and families, maintaining studio and materials, documenting programs via photography and video, and assisting our Teaching Artists as needed. Ideal candidates will have a strong fundamental understanding of the principals of fine art/design and critique. Strong communication skills and the ability to work with and engage middle and high school age youth are a must. Availability required is 5-10 hours per week in shifts of two hours or more, including possible nights and weekend in alignment with Art Institute class schedule.

Workforce Program Intern
Workforce Program interns support the development, implementation, and assessment of curricula and programming by helping run workshops and after school classes, assisting in curriculum development, assisting classes with attendance records, student files, and digital media management support, and researching youth film festivals and coordinating submissions of student-produced work. Workforce Program interns work closely with one of the following programs:

Media/Art/Design Lab (MADLab)
The MADLab intern helps with student application processing, creation of programmatic materials such as rosters and visual arts education tools, on-site production assistance, arts materials maintenance, and digital file management. Prior experience with mural painting, visual arts, and/or working with teenagers preferred but not required. Availability required is 5-10 hours per week during after-school hours during the school year (M-Th, 2:30 – 5:30 pm).

Spark Studios
Spark Studios is The Art Effect’s after-school youth employment program focusing on media and technology. The Spark Studios intern helps with student application processing, creation of programmatic materials such as rosters and visual arts education tools, on-site production assistance, media file management, and file organization/backup. Prior experience with videography, filmmaking, graphic design and/or working with teenagers preferred but not required. Availability required is 5-10 hours per week during after-school hours during the school year (M-Th, 2:30 – 5:30 pm).

Marketing & Communications Intern
Marketing and Communications Intern assists with all aspects of The Art Effect’s communications channels. Responsibilities include: keeping our website up-to-date, connecting with local and national media outlets, creating and sending our press releases, creating content for social media, and conducting community outreach. 

Social Media Intern
Social Media Intern assists with representing The Art Effect’s programs and initiatives in digital spaces. Responsibilities of this internship include: building content for marketing materials (including e-blasts, blog posts, press releases, social media, flyers, etc.), inputting information into community calendars conducting web analytics, and conducting community outreach. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Suite and graphic design experience preferred. 

Film Production Intern
Production intern supports our production house, Forge Media, as well as our media education programs. Interns will gain experience in pre-production, production, post-production at a professional level through camera operation, non-linear editing, graphic design, digital file management, and other media production and post-production-related tasks. 

Trolley Barn Intern
The Trolley Barn intern’s responsibilities include creating and maintaining virtual exhibition galleries, assisting with registering incoming art loans & paperwork, keying in and creating paper labels from loan paperwork, assisting with labels and signage, and other exhibition-related tasks including openings and events (such as the PKX Festival) as needed. Availability required is at least 12 hours per week during traditional business hours (M-F, 10am-5pm). Click here for full internship description.

Development Intern
The Development intern assists with fundraising, events, and public relations. Responsibilities of this internship include: researching new funding support (grants/sponsors/prospective donors), drafting proposals and grant reports, helping implement fundraising events, and conducting community outreach.

Interns have used skills honed during their internships to land jobs in the fields of media, the arts, teaching, production and more, with such employers as Nickelodeon Studios, Poughkeepsie Journal Media Group, Stockade Works, and more.

Volunteer at The Art Effect:

“This summer, thanks to the skills and experience I gained at the Art Effect I was hired to be the intern with Common Sense Media’s new program; Wide Open Schools. I will be getting to work on developing curriculum and writing stories to help educators and parents who have now been moved to work and teach from home.” — Francisco Andrade, Vassar College Class of 2022

“All of the skills that you gain doing the multitude of tasks you may be given at Spark are applicable to your future career. Embrace this unique opportunity to create, serve, and learn. I am confident that you will have a truly invaluable experience like I did.“ – Lindsay Granat, Health and Human Services Major, SUNY New Paltz Class of 2016

“I wanted to make sure I did not miss the opportunity to thank you for all the ways you helped me throughout the semester. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me about senior project advice, and always giving me encouragement. It provided me with lots of perspective that really helped me formulate new connections and insights. I absolutely loved the opportunity to get to know you all and work closely with all of you. It is such a special place and I was happy to be a part of it for a while!” – Ryan Eykholt, Media Studies major, Vassar College Class of 2017