Guest Relations Assistant

Department: Visitor Services
Reports to: COO
Location: Onsite in Marfa, TX
Duration: Fixed term, August 31–October 16, 2026

Overview
Reporting to the COO and working closely with the Private Tours and Events Coordinator, the Guest Relations Assistant supports Chinati’s annual signature event, Chinati Weekend, by serving as a primary point of contact for invited artists, speakers, and special guests. This role helps ensure a seamless guest experience from preparing to arrive in Marfa to post-event. Responsibilities include coordinating travel and lodging, managing guest information, facilitating communication, and providing onsite support throughout the multi‑day event.

This is a temporary, full‑time position that requires extended hours, including evenings and weekends, during peak periods. 

General Duties and Responsibilities

  • Communicate with assigned artists, speakers, and special guests, maintaining timely, clear, and professional correspondence.
  • Build and maintain accurate guest records using tracking systems, including travel details, bios, schedules, and logistical needs.
  • Coordinate guest logistics such as travel booking, lodging arrangements, ground transportation, and materials.
  • Gather and proofread guest information for event publications, programs, and digital platforms.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for guests, providing orientation materials, answering questions, and ensuring they have the information needed before, during, and after the event.
  • Support onsite operations during the exhibition opening, talks, programs, and benefit dinner, including guest check‑in, backstage or green room coordination, and troubleshooting, and responding to on-call needs as assigned. 
  • Collaborate with internal departments including Communications, Development, and Visitor Services to ensure guest needs are met across all event components.
  • Contribute to the overall event environment by supporting general event operations as needed, beyond assigned guest categories.
  • Complete post‑event tasks, including archiving documents, preparing a wrap report, sending thank‑you messages, and assisting with final accounting.
  • Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall success of Chinati.

Qualifications

  • At least 1 year of experience in guest relations, artist services, event coordination, hospitality, or a related operational role.
  • Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people.
  • Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
  • Proficiency with digital communication tools, Google Workspace, and database or content‑management systems.
  • Comfort working in a fast‑paced environment with extended hours during peak event periods.
  • Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle for guest transport and event‑related duties.
  • Experience proofreading content for print or digital use preferred.
  • Knowledge of or interest in contemporary art a plus.

Terms
This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt, onsite position in Marfa, Texas. Regular work hours are 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Other weekend, holiday, and evening hours are required including during Chinati Weekend October 8–11.

The compensation for this role is $16 to $19 per hour. The position requires staying in employer-provided on-site housing at the Chinati Foundation. Chinati is a qualified employer for the public service loan forgiveness program.

To Apply 
Email a cover letter and resume to jobs@chinati.org. 

EOE Statement
The Chinati Foundation is a proud equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for all positions without regard to age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, pregnancy, genetic information, familial or veteran status, unemployment status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, Chinati will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. Applicants must be authorized to work for an employer in the U.S. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visas at this time.

About The Chinati Foundation/La Fundación Chinati
In 1986, the artist Donald Judd (1928–1994) established The Chinati Foundation/La Fundación Chinati in Marfa, Texas, as a site for the permanent installation of large-scale works of art. It was Judd’s goal to bring art, architecture, and land together to form a coherent whole, and for a select group of artists to present work according to their own intentions. As an artist-created and artist-centered foundation, Chinati’s mission is to care for its collection and present it to a broad public; to build community and support artists through public programs, artist residencies, educational activities, and exhibitions; and to steward the architecture and the land that Judd conceived as integral to Chinati.