Associate Art Consultant & Studio Project Manager

Associate Art Consultant & Studio Project Manager

Location: New York City (Studio-Based with Local Travel)

Compensation: $52,000–$59,000 annually, with opportunities for performance-based bonuses, commissions, and long-term career advancement.

Build a Career Where Art, Design, and Exceptional Project Management Come Together

For nearly 50 years, Novo Arts has partnered with leading architects, interior designers, hospitality groups, corporations, healthcare organizations, developers, and private collectors to create extraordinary art collections, custom installations, architectural features, and immersive visual environments.

Our studio is built upon creativity, craftsmanship, integrity, and exceptional client service.

Every project is different.

Every client presents a new opportunity.

Every day brings new challenges to solve.

If you're looking for a career where your creativity, organizational skills, and curiosity will be challenged and rewarded, we'd love to meet you.

A Letter from Our Founder

"Nearly fifty years ago, I founded Novo Arts with a simple belief—that exceptional work comes from curiosity, integrity, craftsmanship, and strong relationships.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of collaborating with remarkable architects, designers, artists, collectors, developers, and institutions. Every project has taught me something new.

Today, I'm looking for someone who is excited to learn, willing to embrace challenges, and genuinely enjoys helping bring beautiful ideas into the world.

This is not simply a job. It is an opportunity to build a career within a unique profession that combines art, design, business, logistics, and creative problem solving.

If you are naturally curious, highly organized, and committed to excellence, I hope you'll consider joining us."

— Marlaina Deppe

Founder & Principal

About the Opportunity

This is far more than an administrative position.

You will work directly alongside the Founder and Principal of Novo Arts, participating in every stage of our projects—from the first client conversation through design development, fabrication, installation, and project completion.

Over time, you will become a trusted member of the studio and play an increasingly important role in managing client relationships, coordinating projects, improving studio operations, and helping shape the future of the company.

No two days are alike.

One morning you may be researching artists for a luxury hotel.

That afternoon you may be preparing a client presentation, coordinating with fabricators, reviewing production schedules, attending a project site, or helping organize an upcoming gallery event.

If you enjoy learning, solving problems, and wearing many hats, you will find this work incredibly rewarding.

What You'll Do

Executive Partnership

Become the Principal's trusted partner in managing the day-to-day operations of a busy creative studio.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing calendars, meetings, and travel arrangements
• Prioritizing correspondence and client communications
• Preparing proposals, contracts, presentations, and professional correspondence
• Conducting research for projects and business initiatives
• Anticipating needs and solving problems proactively
• Helping organize and improve studio workflows

Project Management

• Coordinate projects from concept through installation.
• Responsibilities include:
• Developing project schedules
• Tracking budgets and timelines
• Coordinating artists, printers, framers, fabricators, installers, and vendors
• Organizing shipping and installation logistics
• Preparing estimates and cost comparisons
• Maintaining project documentation
• Monitoring deadlines and project milestones
• Ensuring exceptional quality throughout every phase

Art Consulting

• Support artwork selection and presentation development.
• Responsibilities include:
• Researching artists and artwork
• Organizing image libraries
• Preparing presentation materials
• Assisting with artwork selection
• Following developments within the art and design industries

Client Relations

Represent Novo Arts with professionalism and confidence.

Responsibilities include:

Communicating with architects, designers, artists, developers, consultants, and collectors

Participating in client meetings

Conducting project site visits

Taking field measurements and reference photographs

Maintaining exceptional client service throughout every project

Marketing & Business Development

Support the continued growth of the studio.

Responsibilities include:

Assisting with social media planning

Creating marketing content

Researching prospective clients

Supporting business development initiatives

Preparing promotional materials

Attending gallery openings, networking events, and design industry functions

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Art History, Fine Arts, Interior Design, Architecture, Graphic Design, Arts Administration, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• Outstanding organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong mathematical and analytical ability
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Professional judgment, discretion, and reliability
• Genuine enthusiasm for art, architecture, and design

Technical Skills

Experience with several of the following:

• Microsoft Excel
• Google Sheets
• Apple Numbers
• Notion
• ClickUp
• Monday.com
• Airtable
• Asana
• Miro
• Google Workspace
• Microsoft Office
• Adobe Creative Suite (preferred)

Who Will Thrive Here

The people who succeed at Novo Arts are naturally curious.

They enjoy learning.

They find satisfaction in bringing order to complexity.

They take ownership rather than waiting to be told what to do.

They communicate professionally under pressure.

They appreciate direct feedback and see it as an opportunity to improve.

They are equally comfortable discussing artwork with a designer, building a spreadsheet, coordinating logistics with a fabricator, or measuring a project site.

Most importantly, they enjoy becoming someone others can genuinely depend upon.

This Position May Not Be the Right Fit If

• You prefer highly repetitive work.
• You dislike changing priorities.
• You prefer narrowly defined responsibilities.
• You are uncomfortable taking initiative.
• You prefer waiting for direction rather than anticipating needs.
• You are looking for a conventional administrative position.

What You'll Gain

Few positions offer the opportunity to learn every aspect of the fine art consulting profession.

Working directly with the Founder, you will gain hands-on experience in:

• Fine Art Consulting
• Project Management
• Executive Leadership
• Client Relations
• Proposal Development
• Budgeting
• Vendor Negotiation
• Art Fabrication
• Installation Logistics
• Marketing & Branding
• Business Development
• Entrepreneurship within the Arts

Your Growth

Within your first year, you'll become deeply involved in every phase of our projects and begin managing portions of client work independently.

As you continue to grow, you'll take on increasing responsibility, coordinate major installations, develop client relationships, help improve studio operations, and become an essential member of the leadership team.

Our goal is not simply to fill a position.

Our goal is to invest in someone who wants to build a meaningful, long-term career with our studio.

Why People Choose Novo Arts

At Novo Arts, you'll work on projects that few people ever experience.

From boutique hotels and luxury residences to hospitals, corporate headquarters, public art installations, and custom fabricated environments, every project presents an opportunity to collaborate with talented architects, artists, designers, craftspeople, and clients from around the world.

If you're energized by beautiful work, thoughtful collaboration, and lifelong learning, you'll find yourself continually inspired here.

Our Values

Everything we do is guided by these principles:

• Curiosity
• Integrity
• Craftsmanship
• Accountability
• Respect
• Lifelong Learning
• Creative Problem Solving
• Collaboration
• Exceptional Client Service
• Attention to Detail

Our Hiring Process

Because we're looking for someone who will grow with us for years to come, our hiring process is designed to help us get to know one another—not simply evaluate qualifications.

Our process generally includes:

• Initial resume review
• Introductory conversation
• In-person interview with the Founder
• Practical exercise related to organization, communication, or project management
• Professional references
• Final conversation

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Portfolio, website, or examples of creative or professional work (if applicable)

In your cover letter, please answer the following:

• What attracts you to a career in fine art consulting?
• Describe the most complicated project you've ever organized.
• Tell us about a time when plans unexpectedly changed. How did you adapt?
• Describe a mentor, professor, manager, or client who challenged you professionally. What did you learn?
• Why does working in a small, entrepreneurial creative studio appeal to you?

One Final Request

Throughout our work, we believe thoughtful questions are just as important as thoughtful answers.

At the end of your cover letter, please include three questions you would ask us if invited for an interview.

Finally, please include the words "Blue Porcelain" somewhere in your cover letter or in the subject line of your email.

Attention to detail matters here, and applications that do not follow these instructions may not be considered.

We believe extraordinary careers are built the same way extraordinary works of art are created—with patience, curiosity, craftsmanship, and a relentless commitment to excellence.

If that philosophy resonates with you, we'd love to hear your story.