Advancement Assistant

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in Smithsonian history. With our Secretary, Lonnie G. Bunch III, who was previously the founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, we are positioned to realize our goal of being a truly 21st century museum complex. The Smithsonian is dedicated to its founding mission, “the increase and diffusion of knowledge” and as such we use our resources to encourage curiosity, ignite wonder and spark the joy of learning. Following the success of the Smithsonian’s first comprehensive capital campaign, the largest ever undertaken by a cultural organization, the Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization. This position offers exciting opportunities for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the future of the Smithsonian.  There is no better time to join this amazing Institution.

The Archives of American Art seeks a skilled self-starter interested in art and the field of Advancement to join its team of dedicated staff. The Advancement Assistant supports the Associate Director for Advancement, as well as fundraising and external affairs colleagues, providing technical and administrative support, and assisting with a full range of advancement functions. These include gift processing; maintaining donor information; data processing; meeting coordination and support; event planning and support; creating spreadsheets, templates, documents and tools; managing mailings; facilitating donor services and stewardship; drafting correspondence and event briefings; and general administrative support. The incumbent will also be charged with supporting the planning and execution of the annual gala under the supervision of the director. Related duties include logistical oversight and preparation and serving as a point of contact for vendors. This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to many facets of advancement, including individual giving, institutional support, events, donor relations, and operations.

The successful candidate will have previous experience in a fundraising office and event planning, demonstrate strong attention to detail, can multi-task and has an interest in strengthening his/her skills in advancement. The ability to take initiative and ownership of projects and to work with minimal direction and supervision is critical. Candidates should possess strong interpersonal, writing and organization skills; an engaging manner; and the commitment to being a member of a strong team. A Bachelor’s degree is required.

The Archives of American Art is the largest resource for the study of American art in the world, with millions of primary sources that tell the stories behind our nation’s great art and artists. By preserving and providing access to these priceless documents, the Archives serves as a rich and enduring source of knowledge about the history of the visual arts and culture in the United States, informing and engaging scholars, art lovers, and inquisitive minds from across the nation and around the world. The Archives makes its collections easily accessible to a national and international audience through research centers in Washington, D.C. and New York, N.Y., and on its website, where almost 250 collections are fully digitized.

The Archives is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, reflected through sustained fundraising for creative public programs, special collecting initiatives, and global access through digitization. Recent fundraising successes include a $5 million endowment from the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation for digitizing the papers of underrepresented artists and a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation for collecting and processing archival collections for the study of African American art.

The Smithsonian Institution is a unique complex of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research centers.  The Smithsonian is a national and world treasure and is dedicated to its founding mission, “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.”  Its exhibitions, programs, collections, and outreach touch the lives of millions of Americans every year, as well as many who visit us from abroad. 

The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by November 23, 2021. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line. Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (Month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.  Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.