Gallery Host - Stanley Museum of Art - Summer/Fall 2026

Gallery hosts are the most visible team members at the museum and will directly support amazing visitor experiences at the Stanley Museum of Art. Gallery hosts spend shifts greeting guests, introducing the museum and works in the collection, communicating visitor guidelines, and broadly contributing to the success of museum operations and events.  

We are looking for students for the Fall 2026 semester. We encourage students who are able to start over the summer (as early as May) to indicate so in their cover letters; a summer start date is not required, but students must be able to start at least one week before classes begin in August for training. 

***  Please include a screenshot of your anticipated fall 2026 semester class schedule (and other work schedule(s) if applicable) with your application materials ***

 Key Responsibilities    

• Work with fellow gallery hosts on shift to provide excellent customer service to guests, both in the lobby and over the phone 
• Communicate museum visitor and safety policies and wayfinding information
• Use point-of-sale software to perform simple transactions
• Use attendance tracking software for data collection and program tracking
• Maintain and build on knowledge of the museum, its collections, and its exhibitions through training, self-guided research, and participation in projects from staff
• Provide support for special events and museum programming, which may involve moving and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Other duties and projects (some determined by student interest) as assigned

Compensation and Hours     

Compensation: $13/ hr. starting. Subject to 50 cent raises for each consecutive year of employment. 

Hours: Approx 10-15 hours a week. Shifts will align with public gallery hours, with occasional opportunity for hours outside this timeframe for private events, team meetings, and other opportunities.  All shifts are at least 3 hours in length. Students must be available for at least one shift during the work week time frame (Tues, Wed, Thurs, or Fri 9:30 – 4:30). 

Position will begin either over summer or at the start of the fall semester (start date variable) and continue through winter break. Renewal for spring 2027 and beyond is dependent upon performance and scheduling needs. 

Desired Qualifications  

• Customer service experience in any setting
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to work independently and prioritize tasks
• Interest in art history, museum studies, or nonprofit work helpful but not required. Students of all majors (graduate or undergraduate) may apply.

What You’ll Learn 

• About the Stanley Museum of Art’s collections and history
• Broad familiarity with various museum careers
• Opportunities to network with museum staff and visiting artists
• Experience helping run events and programs
• General customer service and communication skills

Application Instructions    

Please apply via Handshake. 

Include an updated resume, a screenshot of your fall semester class schedule, and a brief cover letter describing your interest and background and addressing your availability for the summer and fall 2026 semester. Please also include information about how soon you will be able to start in this role (your summer availability). 

Applications will be accepted through Thursday, April 23, or until position(s) are filled. 

For additional questions, please reach out to Assistant Curator of Student Engagement Allie Tokarski (allison-tokarski@uiowa.edu)