About the Foundation for Contemporary Arts

Since its inception in 1963, the mission of the Foundation for Contemporary Arts (FCA) is to encourage, sponsor, and promote innovative work in the arts created and presented by individuals, groups, and organizations. FCA was founded by and depends on artists and a community of like-minded supporters—including philanthropic individuals, foundations, and government agencies—to fund its programs. Over 1,000 artists have contributed artworks to help fund grant programs that directly support individual artists. FCA annually awards unrestricted, by-nomination grants to 23 artists working in dance, music/sound, performance art/theater, poetry, and the visual arts in recognition of their artistic contributions; and maintains a by-application emergency grants fund, decided and disbursed monthly, to help approximately 200 artists per year with unexpected presentation opportunities and project-related emergencies. Since FCA’s inception, more than 7,300 grants awarded to artists and arts organizations—totaling over $27 million—have provided opportunities for creative exploration and realization of new work.

In 2023, FCA celebrated its 60th year—commemorating its enduring core values, while looking at the ways in which artists have continued to redefine experimentality, and how FCA has and will adapt and rise to meet the needs and risks entailed in their work. An organization founded by artists, for artists, FCA has grown carefully over decades—and is focused today on strategic and sustainable growth to artist support through its core programs, and its capacity to meet the evolving needs of the experimental field. For more information about FCA and its programs, please visit our website.

Job Description

FCA is seeking a full-time Development and Communications Associate working closely with, and reporting to, the Deputy Director. This position will play an active role in FCA’s small team and will support and work collaboratively on a broad range of development activities, spanning individual and institutional fundraising, as well as special event work. The role is key to realizing FCA’s annual events with donors and artists—planning and helping to ensure their success on site—so candidates should feel comfortable interfacing with all members of our community. These small events (e.g., studio tours, gallery talks) are held during business hours and occasionally in the evenings. A list of some of our past events can be found here.

The Development and Communications Associate will also support FCA’s communication initiatives, including development and distribution of quarterly newsletters, website updates, and social media, and assistance with press releases and announcement roll outs.

Responsibilities include:

Development and Events

• Support major donor and artist cultivation activities, from event planning to outreach, guest list management, staffing, and execution

• Foster relationships with current and prospective donors through special events and direct donor communication, including the FCA Friends patron group

• Coordinate event logistics for FCA’s annual Grants Reception, including vendor research, materials, communication with venue, guest list, and staffing .

• Maintain organization’s grant calendar, prepare for and track quarterly team meetings to review priorities and upcoming deadlines

• Draft select grant proposals, reports, and supplemental materials for institutional funders. Coordinate as needed with contracted grant writer.

• Data analysis and visualization in collaboration with Program team, for program proposals and reports

• Individual donor and foundation research

• Fundraising campaign support; contribution tracking, processing, and acknowledgement letters

• Maintain database donor groups, contact updates, and contribution records

• Assist in preparing materials for Development Committee and support quarterly meetings

Communications

• Contribute to annual communications planning

• Create and distribute e-newsletters and press releases through Mailchimp

• Draft and update website content—including grantee web pages—and support production and distribution of annual grants publication

• Assist with roll out of press releases and announcements, field press inquiries

• Collaborate with Programs team on the development of social media content and FCA profile management and growth.

General

• Guide, train, and serve as a resource for department intern and collaborate with Administrative Assistant on hiring and onboarding process

Ideal Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in arts or humanities field or equivalent work experience preferred

• 2-3 years prior development experience; preferably in nonprofit arts or cultural institutions

• An understanding of and experience in nonprofit event coordination and donor cultivation strategies

• Ability to engage and build relationships with stakeholders

• Strong and nuanced writing and editing/proof-reading skills, with superior attention to detail. Prior grant writing experience a plus.

• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills; comfort with speaking on the phone

• Interest in and knowledge of contemporary and experimental performance, poetry, and/or visual arts

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team

• Fluency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google platform equivalents; familiarity with fundraising/donor databases preferred.

• Experience with email marketing software, social media platforms, design software (Adobe Photoshop and InDesign) and website CMS tools preferred

Compensation and Hours

The position is full-time, non-exempt. Compensation range is $65,000-$73,000 per year, commensurate with experience. FCA provides medical, dental, and vision insurance at no cost to full-time employees, paid holidays (including a winter break), 15 additional days of paid vacation annually, and a Simple IRA employer-matched retirement plan. FCA’s staff works on a hybrid schedule with three days in-person at FCA’s New York City office. The position involves periodic in-person events outside of normal business hours.

Equal Opportunity Employment

FCA is committed to providing access, accessibility, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for disabled people and individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to access or participate in the job application or interview process, and/or to perform essential job functions please contact Isai Soto, 212-807-7077, is@contemporary-arts.org.

Preference will be given to applications received by August 7. 

No phone calls or emails please. 

If you believe that you could excel in this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds.