Are you interested in joining the team of one of the nation’s most adventurous performing arts centers?
Applications will be reviewed until a position is filled. Applicants will not be contacted individually to confirm receipt of materials. Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. No calls or in-person visits, please. General inquiries or applications may be sent to fishercenter@bard.edu.
BARD COLLEGE HUMAN RESOURCESSeasonal Positions
Development Intern
OVERVIEW
This summer (June–August 2025), Bard SummerScape returns with a vibrant season of dance, theater, opera, music, and the beloved Spiegeltent. Presented by the Fisher Center at Bard, this celebrated multi-arts festival takes place in person on Bard’s idyllic 1,000-acre campus, featuring performances in the stunning Frank Gehry-designed performing arts center.
The Development Intern works as a member of the Fisher Center’s Fundraising Team to assist the organization in meeting its contributed revenue (fundraising) goals. This work is done primarily through cultivation and stewardship activities that support and grow the Fisher Center and Bard Music Festival’s individual giving programs during Bard SummerScape, the most active season for the Fisher Center.
The Development Intern reports to the Associate Director of Development to provide support to the full Development Team. The Development Intern is also in regular contact with the Fisher Center’s Administrative and Executive, Audience & Member Services, and Producing departments, as well as staff of Bard College’s Office of Development and Alumni/ae Affairs, including the Special Events team. This job is ideal for those seeking to learn about arts administration and build skills through a broad range of experiences and relationships.
This is a seasonal position from June 5 through August 18, non-exempt (overtime eligible), paid hourly at a rate of $15.50/hr. Hours will average approximately 30 hours/week.
Local residence is required during the dates listed above; campus housing will be provided free of charge if needed, including a single bedroom and shared amenities based on availability. Employees will have access to three (3) meals per weekday and two (2) meals per weekend day on campus during the residency period. Should campus dining agreements or options change from the time of the agreement, an equivalent per diem will be provided. PLEASE NOTE: Room and board may differ for current Bard College students.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist with special events, including supporting communications, on-site logistics (set-up and breakdown), RSVP tracking and day-of guest management, and other event planning tasks around SummerScape and Bard Music Festival performances
- Help with individual giving-related activities, including staffing dedicated member areas at in-person performances, encouraging visitors to become annual supporters of the Fisher Center or Bard Music Festival, assisting with the distribution of member benefits and items for donor cultivation and stewardship, and serving as an additional point of contact for our current and potential donor base
- Use Tessitura, our customer relationship management software, to look up patron information, generate attendee and development reports, enter research on ticket buyers, and help with any other data-based projects
- Complete data tracking and analysis projects in support of donor prospecting and grant reporting
- Perform office duties such as keeping office inventories, taking notes in meetings, documenting information in Confluence, and supporting official Fisher Center mailings to patrons and the general public alike
- Other projects as assigned
COMPANY-WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Fisher Center is currently undergoing an organization-wide process of change toward becoming an anti-racist, multicultural institution. All on staff are expected to:
- Commit to anti-racism and inclusivity at the Fisher Center. This includes participating in any trainings when scheduled, supporting departmental, company-wide, and cross-departmental collaboration in issues of inclusive excellence, and furthering your own independent journey with anti-racism
- Contribute in meaningful ways to the organizational culture
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EXPERIENCE
- Basic administrative or customer service work is ideal
- Proficiency with Google Team Drives and Docs and Microsoft Office is preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and superior attention to detail
- Eagerness to learn and speak about Fisher Center programming, Bard College, and the performing arts with a wide range of audience members
- A strong work ethic and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances
- Ease of working both independently and closely with other team members
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Interest or background in the performing arts is highly encouraged
- An undergraduate, pre-professional, or equivalent experience in fundraising and/or administration is preferred but not required
Working Conditions
- Combination of office and event work, including sitting, standing, and moving supplies, as well as nighttime and weekend responsibilities
- Direct, face-to-face contact with a large audience and donor population
- Fast-paced, relationship-driven professional environment
LOCATION
Bard’s beautiful 1,000-acre campus is situated on the east bank of the Hudson River in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Community life is defined by numerous cultural and recreational opportunities in the surrounding historic Hudson River Valley and by proximity to New York City. Nearby towns and villages include Rhinebeck, Tivoli, and Red Hook, New York.
TO APPLY
Apply NowApplications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
For any questions or issues with the application form, please contact fcjobs@bard.edu.
Bard College is an equal-opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.
ABOUT THE FISHER CENTER
The Fisher Center develops, produces, and presents performing arts across disciplines through new productions and context-rich programs that challenge and inspire. As a premier professional performing arts center and a hub for research and education, the Fisher Center supports artists, students, and audiences in the development and examination of artistic ideas, offering perspectives from the past and present, as well as visions of the future. The Fisher Center demonstrates Bard’s commitment to the performing arts as a cultural and educational necessity. Home is the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, designed by Frank Gehry and located on the Bard College campus in New York’s Hudson Valley. The Fisher Center offers outstanding programs to many communities, including the students and faculty of Bard College and audiences in the Hudson Valley, New York City, across the country, and around the world. Building on a 165-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. Learn more about the Fisher Center, its programs, and its values at fishercenter.bard.edu/about.
ABOUT BARD COLLEGE
Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place estate, Bard’s campus consists of nearly 1,000 park-like acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in nearly 40 academic programs, graduate degrees in 11 programs, nine early colleges, and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 165-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal education. The undergraduate program at our main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.
Spiegeltent Host
OVERVIEW
The Host team plays a critical role in the overall guest experience of the SummerScape Spiegeltent, contributing directly to a safe, enjoyable, and unique experience. They must be knowledgeable of SummerScape programming, venue details, and food and beverage menus. Hosts must be able to work calmly and efficiently in a fast-paced dining and cabaret environment—always anticipating, listening, and responding with grace to guests’ needs.
Spiegeltent Hosts report to the Spiegeltent Front of House Operations Manager. Hosts interact closely with the general management, catering, box office, security, and production teams.
This is a great opportunity for current or recently graduated students who enjoy customer service work and are seeking to gain experience working in the arts.
This is a seasonal, non-exempt part-time position from approximately June 9 – August 19, 2025, paid hourly at a rate of $15.50–16/hr, depending on professional experience. Most activity at the Spiegeltent occurs Thursday to Sunday evenings, and open availability is needed during those times. Hosts work 15–25 hours per week at the Spiegeltent, and some opportunity may be available to pick up shifts with other departments within the Fisher Center when the Spiegeltent does not have events.
Local residence is required during the dates listed above; campus housing will be provided free of charge if needed, including a single bedroom and shared amenities based on availability. Employees will have access to three (3) meals per weekday and two (2) meals per weekend day on campus during the residency period. Should campus dining agreements or options change from the time of the agreement, an equivalent per diem will be provided. PLEASE NOTE: Room and board may differ for current Bard College students.
RESPONSIBILITIES
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Greet guests attending events at the Spiegeltent and foster a welcoming and energetic environment for attendees, artists, and staff
- Conduct ticket-taking, wristbanding, and seating of attendees
- Communicate and collaborate effectively with production, security, dining, and box office staff to ensure guests’ needs are met and events take place in a comfortable and safe environment
- Ensure guests with mobility devices and other accessibility needs are appropriately accommodated
- Provide accurate information about the Spiegeltent events, dining menu, SummerScape events, other performance spaces, and the Bard campus upon request
- Ensure adherence to house policies regarding entry, exit, age restriction, photo and video, etc.
- Proactively solve problems with ticketing, dining, and other patron issues; escalating when necessary
- Conduct venue and garden set-up and breakdown, including moving tables and chairs into and out of the venue in a timely manner
- Maintain a clean and presentable garden, entrance, and seating area
- Maintain awareness of patron behavior, anticipate potential problems, and communicate with supervisory Spiegeltent staff and security appropriately
- Attend house staff briefing meetings at the start of each shift
- Other duties as assigned
COMPANY-WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Fisher Center is currently undergoing an organization-wide process of change toward becoming an anti-racist, multicultural institution. All on staff are expected to:
- Commit to anti-racism and inclusivity at the Fisher Center. This includes participating in any trainings when scheduled, supporting departmental, company-wide, and cross-departmental collaboration in issues of inclusive excellence, and furthering your own independent journey with anti-racism
- Contribute in meaningful ways to the organizational culture
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EXPERIENCE
- This is an entry-level position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Superior attention to detail
- Must possess a positive work attitude and enjoy interacting with people
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Customer service and/or restaurant experience
- Interest in the performing arts
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time and ability to lift at least 50 pounds
- Ability to work late nights and weekend hours
- Comfortable working outdoors
LOCATION
Bard’s beautiful 1,000-acre campus is situated on the east bank of the Hudson River in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Community life is defined by numerous cultural and recreational opportunities in the surrounding historic Hudson River Valley and by proximity to New York City. Nearby towns and villages include Rhinebeck, Tivoli, and Red Hook, New York.
TO APPLY
Apply NowFor any access-related requests, questions, or issues with the application form, please contact fcjobs@bard.edu.
Bard College is an equal-opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.
ABOUT THE FISHER CENTER
The Fisher Center develops, produces, and presents performing arts across disciplines through new productions and context-rich programs that challenge and inspire. As a premier professional performing arts center and a hub for research and education, the Fisher Center supports artists, students, and audiences in the development and examination of artistic ideas, offering perspectives from the past and present, as well as visions of the future. The Fisher Center demonstrates Bard’s commitment to the performing arts as a cultural and educational necessity. Home is the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, designed by Frank Gehry and located on the Bard College campus in New York’s Hudson Valley. The Fisher Center offers outstanding programs to many communities, including the students and faculty of Bard College and audiences in the Hudson Valley, New York City, across the country, and around the world. Building on a 165-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. Learn more about the Fisher Center, its programs, and its values at fishercenter.bard.edu/about.
ABOUT BARD COLLEGE
Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place estate, Bard’s campus consists of nearly 1,000 park-like acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in nearly 40 academic programs, graduate degrees in 11 programs, nine early colleges, and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 165-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal education. The undergraduate program at our main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.