Position Description Seasonal Visitor Services & Shop Associate Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) is hiring a part-time Seasonal Visitor Services & Shop Associate to join our team from September through December — covering our busy fall programming and holiday shopping season. In this part-time role, you'll be the welcoming face of MCBA — greeting visitors, sharing the story of book arts, and helping customers discover handmade books, prints, and gifts from over 300 local and national artists in our retail shop. If you love connecting with people and want to be part of a vibrant creative community during our busiest time of year, we'd love to hear from you.

Position Title:

Seasonal Visitor Services & Shop Associate Salary:

$18/hr

Position Dates:

Week of September 21

• December 23, 2026

Type:

18 hours per week, part-time, non-exempt

Benefits:

Accrued sick and safe time, retail and workshop discounts, free studio rental Reports to:

Director, Retail & Visitor Services Website:

http://www.mnbookarts.org/employment/ Deadline to

Apply:

August 23, 2026 11:59pm

CT Schedule/Position Dates:

The ideal start date for this seasonal position is September 23, 2026 with an end date of December 23, 2026. A possible weekly schedule looks like:

Wednesday:

9:30am

• 1:30pm

Friday:

11am

• 4pm

Saturday:

11am

• 4pm

Sunday:

11am

• 3pm This totals approximately 18 hours per week.

Some flexibility in days/hours may be considered for the right candidate. Flexibility to cover other associate shifts when needed is desired. There will be no shifts on Mondays.

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

The mission of Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) is to ignite artistic practice, inspire learning, and foster diverse creative communities through the book arts. The book arts encompass letterpress printing, screen printing, bookbinding, papermaking, marbling, and related arts. Located in the Open Book building in downtown Minneapolis, MCBA is the largest center of its kind, providing over 12,000 square feet of studios, classrooms, and professional gallery space to the public. Part of MCBA's service to the community includes operating a gift shop specializing in cards, journals, handmade artists' books, prints, zines, art supplies, and creative gifts that highlight the book arts and book artists. MCBA's retail store features artwork by over 300 consignment artists who work in book, paper, and print. Our online shop features a curated selection of artists' books, prints, zines, gifts, and more, primarily drawn from artists in our consignment program. The Shop also fulfills the visitor services function of MCBA, acting as a liaison to the artist community and the public. As a main entry point to the public, Visitor Services & Shop Associates provide direct customer service to MCBA visitors, through purchases of merchandise at The Shop and assistance with organizational information and support. The Shop is a gateway to MCBA's other programming opportunities.

Essential Job Functions:

• Greet all visitors to

MCBA:

answer questions about the organization; provide information on products, programs, and services

• Create an environment where customers feel welcomed
• Assist customers with purchases and process payments
• Maintain a clean and organized workspace
• Maintain an awareness of MCBA events, programming, and classes
• Solicit, process, and renew memberships
• Label and restock merchandise
• Provide reception services related to answering and transferring phone calls
• Pick and ring orders from our online shop Minimum Qualifications
• Experience in retail or customer service environments
• Experience with Point of Sale systems; MCBA uses Altru Blackbaud
• Reliable and punctual
• Outstanding customer service and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable talking with and helping customers
• A positive attitude
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High attention to detail and ability to multi-task
• Quick and accurate decision-making
• A proactive person who notices what needs to be done and takes initiative to get it done Preferred Experience
• Interest and experience in the book arts (bookbinding, papermaking, printmaking or general art experience).
• Familiarity with Google Suite This role requires the ability to perform essential job functions, which may include standing for extended periods, lifting and moving merchandise and boxes, bending, reaching, and performing repetitive tasks.

The position may also require the use of ladders and step stools. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email a resume and brief cover letter to jobs@mnbookarts.org with "Seasonal Visitor Services & Shop Associate" in the subject line by Sunday, August 23; 11:59pm CT . We prioritize a culture of equity, inclusion, and care for self and community. We encourage participants with diverse cultural backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.