Arts Market Manager

Arts New Orleans

Now in its fifth decade, Arts New Orleans is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting arts and culture throughout the city. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in New Orleans by supporting, activating, and investing in our city’s greatest natural resource: our artists and creative community.

Arts New Orleans seeks a part-time (approximately 25 hours per week) Arts Market Manager to oversee the Arts Market of New Orleans — a free, juried, outdoor arts market series featuring regional artists, food vendors, and live programming.
The Arts Market takes place monthly in City Park, with holiday markets in November and December held in Marsalis Harmony Park. The Arts Market Manager also oversees the Arts Market activation during LUNA Fête (November 13–15).

This role includes weekend work, typically one weekend per month from approximately 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, with multiple weekends required in November and December. Weekday hours are generally flexible and focus on market planning, artist coordination, and program administration. The Arts Market Manager is also expected to attend biweekly staff meetings every other Thursday.

Position Summary

The Arts Market Manager oversees all operational, programming, financial, marketing, and artist-facing aspects of the Arts Market of New Orleans. This role ensures a professional, welcoming, and well-run experience for artists, vendors, partners, and the public while supporting revenue generation, community engagement, and long-term program sustainability.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, systems-oriented, confident managing outdoor events, and comfortable serving as the primary liaison between artists, City agencies, and community partners.

Key Responsibilities

Event Operations & On-Site Management
• Lead full setup and breakdown of monthly Arts Markets in City Park and holiday markets in Marsalis Harmony Park.
• Oversee Arts Market operations during LUNA Fête (November 13–15).
• Manage on-site logistics including vendor load-in/load-out, booth placement, troubleshooting, and contingency planning.
• Transport and manage market equipment from storage as needed.
• Monitor weather conditions and initiate rain-date or cancellation protocols when necessary.
• Conduct pre-event site walk-throughs to assess grounds, obstructions, and safety concerns.
• Coordinate placement of port-o-lets, dumpsters, signage, and equipment as needed.
• Mark booth spaces and finalize site maps prior to each event.
• Apply for and secure required City permits and approvals for all market events.
• Oversee physical setup and breakdown, including lifting and transporting equipment as required.
• Must have access to a reliable personal vehicle and a valid driver’s license to transport market supplies and equipment. Mileage for approved work-related travel will be reimbursed.

Artist & Vendor Management
• Serve as primary contact for participating artists, food vendors, nonprofits, and applicants.
• Process new artist applications via Submittable and facilitate peer jury review cycles.
• Follow established artist onboarding systems, ensuring all documentation, licenses, payments, and requirements are completed.
• Manage artist communications regarding deadlines, policies, weather updates, and event logistics.
• Enforce Arts Market Artist Handbook guidelines and standards.
• Maintain and manage artist roster, participation records, and retention tracking.
• Organize and lead Arts Market Committee meetings.
• Hold at least one annual artist session to foster communication and feedback.
• Design and distribute monthly booth maps and participating artist lists.

Programming & Community Engagement
• Lead programming for each market, including booking musicians, workshop facilitators, and special activations.
• Develop seasonal themes and curate experiences that increase attendance and artist sales.
• Manage budgets for market programming and entertainment.
• Coordinate children’s activities and community partnerships as applicable.
• Support sponsor activations and partner visibility on-site.

Marketing & Social Media Management
• Manage the Arts Market New Orleans social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook), including content creation, scheduling, and engagement.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Director to align messaging and cross-promote across organizational platforms.
• Support website updates related to Arts Market event listings and programming.
• Assist with press interviews and promotional opportunities as needed.
• Identify opportunities for audience growth and expanded outreach.

Financial Administration & Revenue Oversight
• Manage artist/vendor payment systems and collect participation fees.
• Track revenue, vendor participation, and event-related expenses.
• Oversee coordination of required City tax reporting processes for vendors.
• Maintain accurate documentation of attendance, cancellations, credits, and reschedules.
• Purchase and manage supplies within approved budget parameters.
• Explore and implement revenue-generating opportunities, including merchandise and sponsorship expansion.

Partnerships & External Relations
• Serve as primary liaison with City agencies, City Park, Marsalis Harmony Park stakeholders, and other neighborhood partners.
• Represent Arts New Orleans publicly as the face of the Arts Market when needed.
Data, Reporting & Impact Tracking
• Track participation metrics including number of artists, new artists, vendors, estimated attendance, and programming details.
• Maintain accurate records for internal reporting, grant reporting, and organizational impact tracking.
• Provide regular reports to leadership on market performance, artist retention, and revenue trends.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen long-term program sustainability and growth.
Organizational Participation
• Attend bi-weekly Arts New Orleans staff meetings.
• Contribute to cross-departmental initiatives as needed.

How We Work

The Arts New Orleans team primarily works remotely, although we have a studio where team members often work and staff meetings are held. Soon, the organization plans to transition to a hybrid work model, with all staff expected to work in person at least two days per week. This job requires attendance at evening and/or weekend meetings, events or workshops. Arts New Orleans is involved in numerous community activations, including monthly art markets and public art unveilings. Additionally, team members regularly attend performances, gallery openings, art festivals, and other cultural activities!

How to Apply

Please email a cover letter (no more than two pages), resume, and three references to jobs@artsneworleans.org. Include your name and (Position) in the subject line. Resumes submitted without a cover letter or sent by a job service will not be reviewed. DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Salary

The annual salary for this part-time position is $30,000. This role averages approximately 25 hours per week, with workload varying seasonally. The Arts Market Manager should expect increased hours during peak program months, particularly November and December when multiple markets and special events take place. Part-time employees do not receive health insurance or other benefits.