Director of Fairs & Editions
About the Position
Printed Matter, Inc., a non-profit arts organization dedicated to artists’ books, is seeking a Director of Fairs & Editions. This position leads Printed Matter’s NY and LA Art Book Fairs, oversees the organization’s participation in domestic and international art fairs, and produces Printed Matter’s fundraising editions. This role reports to the Executive Director and is supported by a team of two (one full-time Fairs & Editions Coordinator and one part-time Fairs Assistant).
The Director is responsible for the development, curation, and production of the NY and LA Art Book Fairs, two of Printed Matter’s largest public programs. The Director secures the Fair venues, curates Fair exhibitors, oversees live programs, manages Fair budgets, secures strategic partnerships and sponsorships, oversees print production, and Fair communications strategy. The Director of Fairs & Editions maintains the acclaimed quality of the Fairs, while representing the current state of art and artists’ publishing in new and innovative ways. The Director of Fairs & Editions is also responsible for Printed Matter’s participation in domestic and international art fairs, managing all aspects of the organization’s presence, seeking new art fair and art book fair opportunities, and strategizing to strengthen earned income in this category. Lastly, the Director of Fairs & Editions oversees production of Printed Matter’s annual fundraising editions, working closely with the Executive Director and Deputy Director to identify artists and edition concepts, creating a strategy for the program in order to meet associated fundraising goals.
About Printed Matter
Founded by artists and artworkers in 1976, Printed Matter is the world’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to the distribution, understanding and appreciation of artists’ books and related publications. Our two-story facility in Chelsea, New York, is home to our bookstore, exhibition space and administrative offices. We offer a unique venue for the public to engage with more than 15,000 artists’ books by artists and publishers from around the world. In addition to our NY and LA Art Book Fairs, we offer a wide array of free programs and services, including exhibitions and events; a publishing program; bibliographic services; consultation for museums and libraries; class visits and hands-on workshops; and a new Printed Matter Publisher Work Grant in partnership with Wagner Foundation that offers significant capacity-building funds to artist-publishers. Visit printedmatter.org to browse our catalogue and learn more about the many ways we serve artists, publishers, and the public.
Primary Responsibilities
NY and LA Art Book Fairs
- Develop and produce Printed Matter’s annual NY and LA Art Book Fairs, which together serve approximately 50,000 members of the public and approx. 600 international exhibitors annually
- Secure the Fair venues, negotiate all related contracts, review insurance, develop floor plans and logistical plans, and oversee and secure appropriate permitting
- Oversee the Fair application process, and curate Fair exhibitors to ensure the NY and LA Art Book Fairs represent the breadth and diversity of the field Manage Fair exhibitors (approx. 300 exhibitors at each fair), maintaining close communication and ensuring exhibitors’ needs are anticipated and attended to
- Recruit and onboard production and installation teams as well as seasonal FOH and BOH staff for each Fair production. Oversee staff scheduling, invoicing, and payments.
- Manage on-site logistics, installation, and venue build out
- Curate and oversee all NY and LA Art Book Fair programming, including exhibitions, workshops, book signings, musical performances, and other live events
- Create and maintain Fair budgets with frequent reporting to the Executive Director and Deputy Director
- Oversee development of the Fair’s visual identity in partnership with dedicated design support, including all digital and print assets i.e. guidebooks, signage, merchandise, posters and other marketing materials
- Support Fair fundraising in partnership with the Director of Development. Maintain existing strategic partnerships and sponsorships, and cultivate new opportunities, including in-kind contributions. Support individual giving goals.
- Write and edit copy for newsletters. Create new written content for guidebooks, promotional materials, and social media.
- Oversee fair press strategy to ensure wide-ranging press coverage.
- Manage the full-time Fairs & Editions Coordinator, part-time Fairs Assistant, and Fair interns who provide support on the above
Fundraising Editions, and Domestic and International Art Fairs
- Spearhead the strategy for the fundraising editions program, in collaboration with the Executive Director and Development Director/Deputy Director
- Identify beneficial and compelling edition projects, liaise with artists and their studios, manage production, timeline, and budget, and participate in promoting the editions and placing sales
- Oversee Printed Matter’s participation in approximately 3-5 domestic and international art and art book fairs such as Frieze, Art Expo, and others, cultivating existing relationships and developing new opportunities
- Travel for and manage all aspects of Printed Matter’s presence at Fairs, including curating inventory in collaboration with Sales and Distribution team, installing booths, sales and customer service
- Manage the full-time Fairs & Editions Coordinator, part-time Fairs Assistant, and Fair interns who provides support on the above
- Spearhead the strategy for the fundraising editions program, in collaboration with the Executive Director and Development Director/Deputy Director
Required Qualifications
- Passion for Printed Matter’s mission
- A proven engagement in contemporary artists’ books and publications, a deep understanding of the contemporary art world, its networks and markets, and an active engagement in the contemporary art community
- A minimum of 5 years professional experience with a demonstrable increase in responsibilities, preferably at a nonprofit organization
- A track record of strong leadership and staff management experience in highly collaborative settings
- Experience in project management, overseeing complex projects and/or events with many moving parts
- Professional, diplomatic, with experience working with diverse stakeholders
- Excellent organizational skills with great attention to detail
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to meet deadlines, problem-solve, and work well under pressure
- Experience managing budgets and negotiating contracts
- Proficiency in Google Worksuite and Adobe Creative Suite (i.e. Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign)
- Experience with some or all of the following: Airtable, Cargo, ARTSVP, Dropbox, Mailchimp, and Submittable
- Ability to regularly travel domestically and abroad approximately 5-7 times a year
- Ability to spend evenings and weekends at Fairs and events
- Ability to perform physical work (e.g. art handling, booth installation)
Compensation
This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary in the range of $78,000-$88,000. Benefits include paid holidays, generous paid time off, and an employer-paid health plan. The work week is Monday through Friday with the possibility of a hybrid schedule. The ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as well as to travel domestically and internationally, is required. This position reports to Printed Matter’s Executive Director.
To Apply
To apply, please send a cover letter detailing your experience and interest in the position, along with your resume, to jobs@printedmatter.org. Please include Director of Fairs & Editions in the subject line and combine both documents into a single PDF file.
We encourage interested applicants to apply early. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until February 21, 2025. We are seeking to fill the position as soon as possible.
We highly encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Printed Matter cultivates a diverse workplace and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, and does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any type with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, partnership status, disability, genetic information, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses, unemployment status, or any other legally prohibited basis in accordance with federal, state and city laws.
Internships at Printed Matter
The Printed Matter internship program offers the opportunity to gain familiarity with the vibrant field of artists’ publications as well as develop hands-on experience in a dynamic and vital non-profit arts organization.
Internships are offered on a seasonal basis during summer, fall, and winter/spring terms. Printed Matter offers a General Internship, Fairs & Editions Internship, and a Bibliographic Internship.
Applications for our 2025 winter/spring internship season have closed. We are not accepting applications at this time. Applications for our summer 2025 program will be posted in February/March of 2025. Questions may be directed to info@printedmatter.org.
General Intern:
General Interns will assist with the daily and ongoing operations of Printed Matter, including programming activities, in-store events, and all aspects of maintaining a busy bookshop. This includes assistance with processing submissions, supporting social media, exhibition preparation and installation, shelving books and organizing stock, and other tasks. There are also opportunities for writing, research, administrative assistance, and other longer-term projects.
General Interns should demonstrate a passion for artists’ books, arts publishing, and contemporary art, as well as Printed Matter’s mission. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite or inventory management software is a plus.
Fairs & Editions Intern:
The Fairs & Editions Intern will assist with a wide range of tasks having to do with the planning and production of Printed Matter’s Art Book Fairs, as well as participate in the coordination of artist editions. The Internship offers an opportunity for experience in fast-paced event production and non-profit management.
The Fairs & Editions intern should have strong writing, copy-editing, and communication skills. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Indesign/Photoshop/Illustrator), Google Sheets, and the art world is a plus. The Fairs & Editions intern should be personable and outgoing, and excited about being a part of this key area of Printed Matter’s operations.
Bibliographic Intern:
Bibliographic Interns will assist in maintaining and developing Printed Matter’s online catalog and inventory system, one of the world’s most comprehensive, publicly accessible databases for those interested in contemporary artists’ publications. Available free to the public through our online catalog, the site acts as both a record of for-sale material as well as an extensive research tool overviewing the history of publishing activity by artists since the early 1960s. Candidates must possess exceptional writing abilities, attention to detail, and an understanding of contemporary art and publishing practice.
Schedule & Location:
Interns are expected to commit 2 days a week (Mon-Fri), 7 hours per day to the internship. Interns should be based in New York and able to work in-person at the Printed Matter Chelsea bookstore and offices.