Communications Assistant
Position Overview
The Communications Assistant works closely with the Director of External Affairs to prepare and edit content for Museum communications in a variety of formats and contexts. This position collaborates with staff and departments across the Museum to review content for exhibitions, public programs, marketing, development, and other projects to make language engaging and accessible for different audiences. The Communications Assistant will participate in a full range of professional staff activities to gain a broad understanding of museum operations, including attending various staff meetings and assisting with museum-wide responsibilities, for example serving at the Welcome Desk or a Study Center.
Per the State of Kansas, student employees may hold concurrent appointments not to exceed maximum appointment and hours worked levels. However, concurrent student appointments must be of matching FLSA designation (exempt/salaried or non-exempt/hourly).
Per the State of Kansas, student employees may hold concurrent appointments not to exceed maximum appointment and hours worked levels. However, concurrent student appointments must be of matching FLSA designation (exempt/salaried or non-exempt/hourly).
Job Description
Writing and Promotion (85%)
- Edit and proofread written museum communications, including promotional materials, publications, web content, exhibition content.
- Draft content for the Museum’s e-newsletter, social media platforms, print newsletter, and website
- Help promote and post Museum events to online calendars.
- Archive media coverage in the Museum’s database.
- Maintain a working knowledge of current Spencer exhibitions and programs and develop content ideas to highlight them (ex. social campaigns, newsletter articles).
- As appropriate, participate in related project-based meetings, departmental meetings, as well as SMA staff meetings.
- Participate in intern meetings and activities, including collaborative intern project.
- Assist with other duties as needed and work with the Director of External Affairs to identify projects that align with the student’s professional goals in the communications.
Required Qualifications
- Must be a University of Kansas graduate student seeking a master's or Ph.D. degree.
- Fluency in spoken and written English as evidenced by application materials and interview.
- Strong written communication skills as demonstrated by application materials.
- Demonstrated experience editing/proofreading.
- Demonstrated computer competency (Office, Outlook, databases, web skills).
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as demonstrated by application materials.
- Enrolled in six credit hours of graduate coursework or at least one hour of thesis/dissertation (approval form from graduate program required).
- During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: 1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or 2) be pre-enrolled in upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or 3) be enrolled in summer session or 4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).
Preferred Qualifications
- Specialized skills in writing, editing, marketing, publications.
- Interest in a museum or arts-related career is taken into consideration.
- Acceptance of Federal Work Study (for eligibility please fill out a FAFSA form through the KU Financial Aid Office).
Additional Candidate Instructions
Application Process:
Please provide the following information in your application materials (CV and cover letter):
Please provide the following information in your application materials (CV and cover letter):
- The Spencer Museum of Art currently has multiple internship opportunities available beginning August 2025 through July 2026. Please rank in order of preference which internship you prefer to be considered in your cover letter, as well as be sure to apply to EACH of the internships you are interested in.
- Museum or related career goals.
- Educational experience in relevant fields of study.
- Work experience.
- Brief writing sample.
- Language skills.
- Provide telephone number and email address where you can be reached.
- This internship is an hourly, approximately 20 hours/week, position for 24, 2-week pay periods.
- This position is an 11 month (24 pay periods) appointment beginning August 11, 2025 and ending July 10, 2026.
- This position is also eligible to participate in the university health insurance program. Visit http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/benefits-for-GRAs-GTAs-GAs for more information.
- Students may apply for one or more positions.
- Students who previously have held an SMA internship are also eligible to apply again for the same internships or different internship.
- Interns are also eligible for a $1,000 travel stipend contingent upon available funding.
- SMA interns receive a tuition waiver for up to 9 credit hours for both the fall and spring semesters.
Contact Information to Applicants
Applicants may contact Elizabeth Kanost, 864-0142, elizacat@ku.edu, with questions. Please complete all areas of the application. Applications will not be considered without all requested materials.
Advertised Salary Range
$19.31 per hour
Work Schedule
20 hours per week.
Anticipated Start Date
Monday August 11, 2025