Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Visitor Experience Associate

Do you love art, people, and creating unforgettable experiences? We are seeking friendly, enthusiastic Visitor Experience Associates to join our team. You'll greet visitors, share exciting exhibition info, assist with ticketing and memberships, and be a key part of our vibrant, visitor-first team. If you're passionate about the arts and education, this is the role for you!

ABOUT PAFA

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is America's first school and museum of fine arts. Located in the center city of Philadelphia, PAFA is intimate in scale with a strong sense of community. PAFA offers several non-degree and certificates in studio art and art appreciation programs. PAFA's museum has an outstanding collection of American art, and the museum actively collects and exhibits contemporary art, including work in new media. Additionally, PAFA is home to the Brodsky Center, a print and papermaking center focused on the creation of innovative editions by contemporary artists.

PAFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment that welcomes and encourages recruiting and retaining qualified candidates from diverse groups. PAFA provides equal opportunity to applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran.

POSITION: Visitor Experience Associate (VEA)

The Visitor Experience Associate is responsible for providing excellent customer service and promoting a fun, inclusive learning experience for visitors throughout the museum. They will greet and assist museum visitors in facilitating their visit to the galleries. They will effectively describe current exhibitions and programs at the museum, complete admission and membership sales, and keep complete and correct attendance records. They will work with visitors and colleagues to create the best possible museum experience.

Starting in April 2026, PAFA's Museum will be open Wednesday through Sunday. Applicants interested in this role should be available to work up to three shifts per week during operating hours. Additional shifts may be offered based on the Museum's needs.

This is a temporary role, slated to start in March, with an end date in September 2026. Ideal for anyone who loves the arts and wants to gain hands-on experience working in a dynamic museum and educational institution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Greets and orients every customer entering the museum
  • Keeps up to date with ongoing museum exhibitions and programs
  • Completes transactions for group admissions, individual admissions and membership sales using computerized sales system
  • Maintains order at the front desk and in the coat rooms of the museum, including reporting appropriate maintenance requests
  • Assists visitors with special needs in locating entrances, services, restrooms and other accommodations required to have a high quality museum visit experience
  • Checks the front lobby, bathrooms, and gallery frequently to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and preparedness.
  • Works with visitor experience team members to keep both lobbies stocked with up to date brochures and other print materials.
  • Leads tours for various PAFA community members and also the public
  • Completes opening and closing routines as instructed to maintain complete transaction and deposit records
  • Alerts supervisor to visitor feedback and handles customer related issues when supervisor is not available
  • Introduces, distributes, and collects visitor surveys when necessary
  • Provides coverage for other departmental areas on an as-needed basis, including Museum Store when necessary
  • Ad hoc duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

  • High School diploma or equivalent.
  • Direct customer service or public speaking experience preferred, with a focus on arts, culture or another humanities-focused organization
  • Proven ability to mentor, train and supervise a team of employees
  • Enthusiasm about creating experiences for and interacting with a diverse audience
  • Experience with creative problem-solving in a forward-facing role
  • Familiarity with computerized Point-of-Sale (POS) systems.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts accepts digital applications only. A complete application should include the following:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter

When submitting your application online, please save your documents as Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) or PDF (.pdf) files. To help us process your applications as efficiently as possible, please save your files with the following filename format:

  • LastName_FirstName_Resume
  • LastName_FirstName_CoverLetter

*Due to the amount of potential applicants, we do not respond to voice calls or messages about the status of your application. Based on the criteria for the position, the most qualified candidates will be contacted directly. Thank you for your interest in PAFA.