Current openings are regularly updated below. If there are no openings available at this time, but you’re eager to get in touch about future opportunities, send us an email at burchfld@buffalostate.edu.
The Burchfield Penney Art Center (Burchfield Penney) is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and the art and artists of Buffalo and our region. Through our affiliation with SUNY Buffalo State University, we encourage learning and celebrate our richly creative, diverse community. We commit to inspiring, investing in, and celebrating artists' historical and contemporary accomplishments. We will energize the WNY community and SUNY Buffalo State University through meaningful experiences and sustain and enhance our culture and environment through our decisions and actions.
We recognize that every visitor, artist, volunteer, and staff member has unique lived experiences. We commit to celebrating and reflecting our community's diversity through the arts. Together, we are empowered to think, learn, and grow.
We are dedicated to building a diverse staff that reflects our mission and community.
Our collection is home to more than 12,000 works of art by more than 680 artists spanning the late 19th century through the present. It includes the world's most extensive collection of artworks and ephemera by acclaimed watercolorist Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967).
Founded in 1966, Burchfield Penney has a remarkable history and is a crucial member of the Buffalo cultural community.
Department: Advancement
Supervisor: Assistant Director of Development
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-exempt
Position Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $41,000 - $51,000
Position Summary:
The Development & Special Events Coordinator is a key position in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Advancement Department and ensures that the day-to-day departmental operations run smoothly, accurately, and efficiently. This role helps in facilitating ongoing prospect, donor, and member engagement. They have primary responsibility for gift and acknowledgement letter processing, and serve as a backup support for membership data entry and acknowledgements. They maintain and update all information in our donor management database (Raiser’s Edge), including donor contact information and coding conventions.
The Coordinator leads the planning and execution of the majority of events within the Advancement Department. The Center produces two major fundraising events: The Annual Art Auction & Gala, and the biannual (716)ART Auction. In addition, we host multiple on and off-site events, like Collectors Club gatherings, behind-the-scenes tours, partner events at regional galleries, and meetings with individual supporters. In collaboration with the Membership Manager, this role provides logistical support for member-related events and activities, like member receptions, and members exhibition preview nights.
The duties of this role vary over the course of each calendar year and require excellent time management and communication skills, the ability to self-prioritize work, and the ability to collaborate and manage expectations both across and upwards within the organization.
Strong interpersonal skills, superior oral and written communication skills, a kind and gracious demeanor, superb organizational skills, and a keen attention to detail are essential to this position.
Essential Functions
Job Percentage Responsibilities
45% (variable) Events Coordination
Job Percentage Responsibilities
35% (variable) Fund Development & Donor Relations
Job Percentage Responsibilities
20% (variable) Administrative & Logistical Support
Work Schedule:
Although work will typically be conducted at the museum Monday-Friday during normal business hours, this position is frequently required to be present for programs that may begin or end outside those parameters, including occasional evening or weekend events. Flexible scheduling is available in these instances.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Required Qualifications (Education & Experience):
Preferred Qualifications and Abilities:
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work to be performed. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities. All staff are expected to perform as active members of the Center’s team.
Department: Advancement
Supervisor: Chief Advancement Officer
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-exempt
Position Type: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)
Salary Range: $49,000-$59,000
Position Summary: The Grants Manager (GM) is a key position in the Burchfield Penney Art Center Advancement Department, ensuring that the Art Center maintains and grows its revenue through grant proposals to private foundations, corporate foundations, and government agencies.
They have primary responsibility for all aspects of grants management, including developing written funding proposals and applications; compiling associated documentation; grant reporting; tracking; and timely communication of submission and reporting deadlines; maintaining updated information in government and foundation online sites; ensuring all contract requirements are fulfilled and submitted; and researching grants opportunities in support of various programs and exhibitions at the Burchfield Penney.
The GM will work across all departments of the Burchfield Penney Art Center, along with outside partners, to gain program information, compile a strong case for support, and oversee and administer outcome measurements.
Additional departmental duties, as needed, include providing support with donor communications and actively participating in Advancement Department fundraising and cultivation events.
The duties of this role vary over the course of each calendar year, requiring excellent time management and communication skills, the ability to self-prioritize work, and the ability to manage expectations both across and upwards within the organization.
Superlative written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills are essential to this position, as well as superb attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and strict adherence to deadlines.
Work Schedule: Work is typically conducted at the Center Monday-Friday during business hours. This position will occasionally be required to participate in events that occur outside those parameters, including evening or weekend events. Flexible scheduling is available to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Essential Functions:
Grants Management
Departmental Activities and Support
Education and Experience
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Preferred Qualifications and Abilities:
Compensation:
The Burchfield Penney Art Center is committed to fair, competitive, and industry-informed pay for our employees. The salary range for this position is $49,000 - $59,000 and includes health insurance, paid vacation and sick time, 403(B), and additional benefits.
To apply: Please email your cover letter, resume, and three professional references in one PDF document, saved as “Last name.FirstName” and Grants Manager in the subject bar to burchfld@buffalostate.edu. No calls, please.
This position is open until filled, but only applications received by February 28, 2026 can be assured full consideration. The target employment date is April 20, 2026.
The Registrar is an essential member of the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s curatorial team, responsible for the physical and intellectual care of the museum’s permanent collection and outgoing/incoming loans. The Registrar manages all aspects of object documentation, storage, movement, and risk management, and supports exhibitions through coordination of incoming loans, packing, shipping, and insurance.
Working closely with curatorial, exhibitions, and facilities staff, the Registrar ensures that all artworks and artifacts are handled with the highest standards of care and in accordance with museum best practices. The position requires excellent organizational and communication skills, an exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with efficiency and discretion.
Collections Management
Exhibitions and Loans
Administrative and Departmental Support
Required Qualifications/Skills/Experience
The Burchfield Penney Art Center is committed to fair, competitive, and industry-informed pay for our employees. The salary range for this position is $49,000 - $59,000 and includes health insurance, paid vacation and sick time, 403(B) plan, and additional benefits.
To apply: Please email your cover letter, resume, and three professional references in one PDF document, saved as “LastName-FirstName” and 'Registrar' in the subject line to burchfld@buffalostate.edu. No calls, please.
This position is open until filled, but applications received by August 11th, 2025 will receive first consideration.
Department: Administration
Supervisor: Director of Finance
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-exempt
Position Type: Part Time (15-25 hrs wk)
Salary Range: $21.00-28.00 per hr
Position Summary:
The Finance & Admin Associate (FAA) is responsible for supporting the accounting functions of the Burchfield Penney Art Center (Center) including data input to the Accounts Payable system and General Ledger system. They will also be responsible for supporting the Chief of Staff in meeting organization and general admin. Additionally, they will be assigned special projects to support and or oversee.
The FAA works independently with supervision from the Director of Finance and the Chief of Staff and will work with all departments on finance and budget related inquiries and in support of the Chief of Staff.
Essential Functions
Job Percentage Responsibilities
60% (Variable) Accounting and Reporting
Job Percentage Responsibilities
30% (Variable) Chief of Staff Support
Job Percentage Responsibilities
10% (Variable) Additional Work as Assigned/Marginal Duties
Required Education, Skills, and Experience
Compensation
Burchfield Penney Art Center is committed to fair, competitive, and industry-informed pay for our employees.
The pay range for this position is $21.00-28.00 per hour (based on experience). Full benefits are not included for part-time positions.
The position is open until filled. Applications received by March 6th, 2026 will receive first consideration.
Department: Facilities
Supervisor: Facilities Manager
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-exempt
Position Type: Part-Time
Wage range: $17-19 per hour, depending on experience
The Burchfield Penney Art Center is searching for outgoing and friendly individuals to fill part-time positions as Security and Facilities Attendants. Security and Facility Attendants work between 15 to 20 hours per week and must be able to work weekends and evenings.
Responsibilities include:
Required qualifications:
To apply:
Send a résumé, list of three references, and a letter of application to menshonw@buffalostate.edu EOE/AA.
Status: Full-time, non-exempt (37.5 hours per week)
Salary Range: $41,000 - $51,000
The Development & Special Events Coordinator is a key position in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Advancement Department, ensuring that departmental events and day-to-day departmental operations run smoothly, accurately, and efficiently.
This role leads the planning and execution of all events within the Advancement Department, with particular focus on the Annual Art Auction & Gala and the biennial (716)ART Auction. Additional event coordination may include, but is not limited to, managing the logistics of partner events at regional galleries, donor and sponsor receptions, and meetings with major donors. In collaboration with the Membership Manager, this role supports member-related events and activities such as member receptions and exhibition preview nights.
The Development & Special Events Coordinator maintains information and processes donations through the donor management system. This role generates acknowledgements for donations, including event sponsorship, grants, annual giving, major donations, and donations of artwork for event auctions. Excellent writing and attention to detail are essential in successfully performing this function of the position.
The duties of this role will vary over the course of each calendar year, requiring excellent time management and communication skills, the ability to self-prioritize work, and the ability to collaborate and manage expectations both across and upwards within the organization. This role reports to the Assistant Director of Development.
Work Schedule: Although work will typically be conducted at the Center Monday-Friday during normal business hours, this position is frequently required to be present for programs that may begin or end outside those parameters, including occasional evening or weekend events. Flexible scheduling is available to maintain a work-life balance.
Essential Functions:
Events Coordination
Fund Development & Donor Relations
Administrative & Logistical Support
Required Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
To apply: Please email your cover letter, resume, and three professional references in one PDF document, saved as "Last name.First name.” and “Development & Special Events Coordinator” in the subject bar to burchfld@buffalostate.edu. No calls, please.
This position is open until filled. The planned employment date is April 30, 2026.