Showcase Specialist Contract Position Announcement 

2027 Exhibits at NCTC in Thief River Falls and Fournet in Crookston  

Deadline to apply is August 15, 2026

Dates of tasks within this contract are September 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027

Anticipated budget for contract of $7,000 - $10,000

NWMAC is looking for interested people to apply to be considered for our showcase specialist position in calendar year 2027. To show interest, please submit a letter of interest by August 15, 2026, that includes some ideas of what you would coordinate as exhibits.  Submit your qualifications if you have not been hired for this position before.  If you have been hired for this contract position before, state the years you worked for us and what you enjoyed about doing this work for NWMAC.  

Currently, there is a $7,800 board approved budget for this contract position, which is calculated at $1,200 per showcase that has fewer participants and $1,400 for larger group showcases. Applicants can request more or less based on their proposal, which clearly states your budget and reasoning for your requested amount for this work. Note: maximum budget for the year for this contract position and work activities is $12,000.  Place a value on your estimated time spent on these tasks and your proposed $ rate, noting that we pay qualified specialists a rate of $25.00 - $32.00.  Note: all expenses are paid for by the contract worker so anticipate your mileage, professional printing costs, packaging, reception refreshments, and minor costs associated with exhibit coordination.  

Please direct your questions to Mara Hanel, Executive Director at 218-745-8886 ext 1. If she does not answer when you call, make sure you leave a detailed message that includes your name, email, and phone number.   

Work Activities Include:

• Six gallery exhibits: complete tasks from September 1, 2026 until December 31, 2027   

  • Coordinate 3 showcases in the Fournet atrium in Crookston in 2027

    • Winter exhibit is Jan - April; Summer exhibit is May - August; Fall exhibit is Sep - Dec; exhibits should be on display for a minimum of three months

    • One exhibit will feature a solo (or small group) professional artist, one exhibit can feature a call for entries on a theme, one exhibit can feature students or traditional art  

  • Coordinate 3 showcases in the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls in 2027

    • Winter exhibit is Jan - mid April; Summer exhibit is mid May - August; Fall exhibit is Sep - Nov; exhibits should be on display for three months

    • One exhibit will feature a solo (or small group) professional artist, one exhibit can feature a call for entries on a theme, one exhibit can feature public art or a specific group of arts organizations

  • Work activity tasks for each exhibit

    • Prior to exhibit installation

      • Finalize exhibit details three months prior to your art drop off date and communicate with NWMAC staff details.

      • Provide contract information to our Promotions Specialist and Executive Director on the artists exhibiting.   

      • Communicate often with artist(s) to make the exhibit a success including getting their initial engagement and then their label information. 

      • Professionally create and pay for and install all artwork labels and professional posters for each exhibit. Work should reflect the professionalism and standards of past exhibits.    

      • Proof flyers and media communication pieces for any call for entries showcases that our NWMAC Promotions Specialist creates

      • Communicate all important dates and times with artists in showcases about art drop off, receptions, and art pick up and cc NWMAC staff. Communicate early and often to create a professional organized atmosphere for those exhibiting.  

    • Install showcase 

      • Install exhibit pieces, posters, and labels. 

      • Take overall promotional pictures and videos of exhibit and upload them to the google folder then email to NWMAC staff that they are in the folder.  

      • Take pictures that are needed for our NWMAC Promotions Specialist to create the virtual exhibit.

      • Submit an invoice for payment of half the amount budgeted for the exhibit, after exhibit installation. 

    • During showcase   

      • Assist NWMAC Promotions Specialist with Artist Spotlights. These are live interviews within an online platform called StreamYard that are recorded and provided to the public on our website. Anticipate one session that is one hour per exhibit. Up to three sessions for group exhibits.  

      • Email participants the link to the virtual exhibit online once completed by the Promotions Specialist.

      • Proof reception announcement/promotional materials created by Promotions Specialist then send it by email to all artists encouraging them to promote attendance. 

      • Provide solo or featured artists with the NWMAC exhibit expense reimbursement form to reimburse their mileage and small exhibit expenses like framing. Up to $500.00 available. 

      • Coordinate and attend the six artist receptions from start to finish within the gallery locations. Pay for and set out attractive refreshments for a small group of guests between 30-50 people. Coordinate live music. At NCTC, look for events within the music department or at their auditorium to select a reception date that can be successful in that building. 

      • Evaluate reception and exhibit overall by collecting statistics, interviews, and pictures.

    • Wrap up showcase

      • Coordinate art into three display showcases at NCTC switching over the three cases once during the year. Take pictures and provide information to NWMAC staff on new exhibits on display.    

      • Coordinate retrieval of art by artist(s) showcasing, including bubble wrapping art if needed.

      • Send out Survey Monkey survey to all participants after they pick up their artwork.

      • Submit a wrap up report in the format provided by NWMAC office by the due date assigned.

      • Submit an invoice for payment of the second half of the amount budgeted, after each exhibit is wrapped up completely.