Community Arts & Public Programming Assistant – First Friday Salinas - Arts Council for Monterey CountyAt — Arts Council for Monterey County (AC4MC)
Students will support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of First Friday Salinas, a recurring downtown arts and cultural activation that brings together artists, community organizations, independent businesses, public, cultural, and civic partners, and community audiences. Through hands-on participation, students will gain experience in arts administration, public programming, cultural organizing, community engagement, partnership development, event coordination, documentation, and feedback collection.
This placement offers exposure to how cultural initiatives are developed, tested, implemented, evaluated, adapted, and sustained through cross-sector collaboration. Working alongside Arts Council staff and community partners, students will strengthen professional communication, project management, relationship-building, and public engagement skills while learning how artists, organizations, businesses, and public partners collectively contribute to cultural life and community vitality.
By the end of the placement, students will have a stronger understanding of community-centered cultural work, creative workforce pathways, and the role arts and culture play in civic life, local economies, and community connection.
2 service learner spots
Service activities will occur:
- In-person at Arts Council office (Monterey) and program sites (Monterey Peninsula & Salinas Valley).
- In-person during First Friday Salinas events in Downtown Salinas.
- Remotely for planning, research, outreach, documentation, communications, and administrative support activities.
Students will receive an orientation to the Arts Council, First Friday Salinas, organizational policies, project goals, and community engagement practices. Training will include event logistics, public-facing communication, relationship stewardship, survey and data collection methods, artist and partner engagement, documentation practices, and use of organizational systems and tools. Students will also receive guidance on professional communication, meeting participation, and collaborative project workflows.
Opportunity Supervision
Students will work closely with Arts Council staff through regular check-ins, mentorship, project meetings, and event-based supervision. Supervisors will provide guidance, feedback, and opportunities for reflection throughout the placement. Students will receive support in setting learning goals, navigating responsibilities, and connecting their experiences to broader professional and academic interests. The placement is designed as a collaborative learning environment that values curiosity, initiative, communication, and reciprocal learning.
Responsibilities may be performed:
- In-person at Arts Council office (Monterey) and program sites (Monterey Peninsula & Salinas Valley).
- In-person during First Friday Salinas events in Downtown Salinas.
- Remotely for planning, research, outreach, documentation, communications, and administrative support activities.
Students may occasionally participate in evening community events (after 6pm) and public-facing activities in downtown settings. Staff supervision will be provided during event activities, and students will receive orientation regarding event procedures, communication expectations, and emergency protocols.
Interested students should submit their interest by email and include:
- a brief introduction describing their academic interests,
- relevant experience (if any), and
- what they hope to learn through the placement.
Selected students may be invited to participate in a short informational meeting with the Programs Director to discuss scheduling, learning goals, and placement expectations.
Primary Contact:
Paola Diaz, Events Coordinator
paola@arts4mc.org
831-622-9060 x111