Accent Sisters Work-Study Fellowship Program

What You Will Get:

• Opportunities to work closely with some of the best writers, artists, and creators;
• A chance to pitch projects, events, and develop programs for a thriving and diverse community;
• Be part of the most exciting happenings in New York’s art and cultural scene;
• Free passes to attend all in-person events and classes held at Accent Sisters;
• Fellow discounts to purchase products at Accent Sisters;
• Towards the end of the fellowship, we will work with you to develop a special  showcase of your personal project and/or your work at Accent Sisters.
• One-on-one mentorship with Accent team;
• A stipend of $600 dollars.

Summer 2026 Fellowship Tracks

1.Program Coordination & Community Engagement

• Partner & Collaborator Relations: Receive and respond to inquiries from external partners interested in using Accent Sisters' venue and platform. Communicate with collaborators to understand their vision, assess fit, and help develop event concepts that align with Accent's programming themes — including arts, literature, craft, and culture.
• Community Engagement: Support communication with the Accent Audience community on WeChat, Instagram, and RedNote.
• Event Development & Coordination: Work with partners and the Accent team to develop event programs from early-stage planning through execution. Manage event timelines, project milestones, and logistics. Commit to being physically present on-site to oversee venue setup, coordinate physical arrangements, and ensure smooth event operations.
• Outreach & Partnership Building: Proactively pitch, research, and reach out to potential collaborators — artists, cultural organizations, educators, and community groups — to invite them to develop events at Accent Sisters. Identify opportunities that enrich the programming calendar and expand Accent's community reach.
• Calendar & Communications Management: Maintain and update the Luma event calendar, keeping listings accurate and timely. Manage all event-related communications with partners, collaborators, and participants, including scheduling, reminders, and follow-ups.
• Promotional Content: Work with the Graphic Design and Digital Marketing fellows to produce promotional materials for events. Draft copy for social media posts, event listings, and announcements across Accent's platforms including Instagram, WeChat, and RedNote.

• Background in arts administration, event administration, event coordination, cultural programming, or a related field.
• Demonstrated familiarity with Accent Sisters' areas of activity, including arts, culture, literature, and crafts — with a genuine enthusiasm for the communities around these disciplines.
• Highly organized, proactive, and outgoing: able to independently manage multiple event timelines simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Committed to on-site presence for event coordination and physical setup.
• Some background in design or visual communication; able to collaborate effectively with design and marketing fellows on promotional materials.
• Experience organizing events with multiple stakeholders and moving parts.

• Experience with promoting events through event listing platforms and social media.
• Existing relationships within New York's arts, literary, or cultural communities.
• Photography or basic video documentation skills.
• Copywriting experience for social media or cultural programming contexts

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2. Curation & Administration 

• Exhibition Development: Assist with all stages of exhibition planning and execution, including research, communication with artists and curators, task coordination, scheduling, and on-site support for installation and deinstallation. Note: occasional evening or weekend hours may be required during exhibition periods (typically once per month).
• Exhibition Maintenance: Support the daily upkeep of exhibitions, assist visitors, and report exhibition-related updates to the Accent team and curators.
• Event Coordination: Collaborate with the Accent team to develop and run public programs, artist talks, and workshops. Maintain and update the exhibition and event calendar.
• Grant Application: Assist with grant writing, open calls, fundraising efforts, and administrative tasks such as submission tracking, collaboration inquiries, and product consignments.
• Communication & Outreach: Work with the publishing and communications fellow to draft press releases, curatorial notes, and outreach materials. Coordinate logistics and communications with artists, collaborators, researchers, vendors, and cultural institutions.
• Administrative Assistance: Support the development and maintenance of internal resources and public-facing platforms.

• Background in curatorial practice, museum studies, art history, or arts administration (recent graduate, or current student going into senior year/second year graduate program).
• Demonstrated interest in curation and contemporary arts, especially interdisciplinary practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and preferably Chinese, such as communicating and collaborating in a curatorial team, draft and responding emails, draft meeting notes, and representing Accent Sisters during exhibition production, opening receptions and public programs.
• Proactive, self-driven and detail-oriented: ready to participate in on-site exhibition installation and deinstallation, support outreach events, assist exhibition visitors, and contribute to day-to-day exhibition upkeep.
• Proficient in developing structured digital filing systems with Google Drive and Google Sheets. Some familiarity with art metadata, file naming conventions, and  rights documentation.
• Highly Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Doc, Sheet, Slides, and Form).

• Experience in writing press releases and exhibition reviews.
• Skills to research and lead PR and press outreach.
• Experience in leading curatorial projects and open calls.
• Experience in grant writing and fundraising.
• Created exhibition-related content for social media platforms.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suites (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign) and Figma.

3. Design & Digital Asset Management 

• Visual Design & Creative Production: Design posters, banners, social media graphics, and other promotional materials for events, classes, exhibitions, and store products.
• Event Documentation: Support event photography, video recording, and minor editing for in-store programs and exhibitions. Contribute to maintaining a visual record of Accent’s activities and creating media content.
• Digital Asset Management: Organize, tag, and archive digital media and design files. Help update and edit the official website, online store, digital content platform, and digital archive, ensuring visual consistency across platforms.
• Creative Coordination: Collaborate with event, workshop, and exhibition organizers to gather necessary images and content for design; Assist with maintaining creative production timelines.

• Strong background in visual design either as a current undergraduate senior, second-year graduate student, or recent graduate. Candidates from non-design academic backgrounds with a strong and relevant portfolio are also encouraged to apply.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suites (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign) and Figma for both print and digital design production.
• Familiarity with low-code web platforms such as Cargo, WordPress, or similar site builders; foundational knowledge of HTML and CSS.
• Experience with adapting visual identity across mediums and platforms, whether printed matters or social media. Ensure the correct formatting and presentation for finalized design according to specifications.
• Comfort with digital tools and platforms, and a strong interest in evolving design practices for digital and web-based environments.
• Strong time management skills and an ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Strong interest or experience in social media content creation, including content for posts, stories, and short-form videos.
• Ability to assess and enhance digital platforms (such as website, online store, or social media channels), contributing design improvements or functionality updates.
• Familiarity with digital asset management and archival practices, including tagging, metadata, and organizing bulk visual content for long-term access.
• Skills in front-end or back-end web development, particularly for content-driven platforms or media-heavy archives.

4. Marketing & Business Development

• Content Creation & Social Media Operations: Create and schedule graphics, videos, stories, and captions in collaboration with the Accent Team and communications fellow.
• Audience & Market Research: Research target audiences and cultural trends; analyze brand positioning and user engagement data;  Assist with outreach for events and help identify and contact potential collaborators, partners, and community organizations.
• Analytics & Campaign Development: Track and report on sales, event performance, social media engagement, content reach, and user behavior to help develop programs and actionable marketing strategies.
• E-Commerce Operations: Assist with updating the Shopify store and online class listings, including product listings, categorization, and copywriting.
• Email & Newsletter Marketing: Use tools like Xiumi and Mailchimp to design, write, and edit newsletters and special announcements.
• Event Documentation: Photograph and video record bookstore events, exhibitions, and workshops for archival and promotional use.

• Strong background in digital marketing and social media engagement. with skills in photography, videography, and/or writing. Open to current undergraduate seniors, second-year graduate students, or recent graduates.
• Passionate and knowledgeable about independent publishing, literature, arts, and digital cultural scenes.
• Proficient in managing accounts on social media platforms(Instagram, Rednote, TikTok); familiarity with marketing tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to track, evaluate, and set performance goals for digital campaigns.
• Basic proficiency in photography, video editing, image editing, and graphic design.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; fluency in additional languages is a plus.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Detail-oriented and capable of formatting and presenting marketing materials according to platform specifications; Able to manage timelines and meet deadlines for social media scheduling and content delivery.

• Strong copywriting skill, with a focus on social media.
• Proficiency in DSLR camera and light kits, with experiences in exhibition and event documentation.
• Proficiency in editing software (e.g., Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro).
• Knowledge in data analysis tools and programming software with a focus on digital marketing and social engagement analysis.

General Responsibilities:

• Store Maintenance: Perform shifts on-site at the Accent Sisters bookstore for 3 days/week; keep the space clean, organized, and welcoming for visitors.
• Customer Service: Greet visitors, assist with inquiries, and provide book/event/membership information when appropriate; Process sales transactions, handle payments, and maintain accurate records.
• Collection Management:
• Catalog and shelve books.
• Support the curation and upkeep of seasonal book and product displays.
• Write book reviews and staff recommendations.
• Event & Exhibition Support: Preparing and running public programs such as book launches, readings, workshops, and exhibition openings, including registration, set-up, guest reception, and sales.
• Promotion & Documentation: Help promote and document in-store classes, events, and exhibitions.
• Assist with other administration tasks.

General Expectations

• Professional proficiency in English, fluency in Mandarin or other foreign languages is desirable and varies depending on fellowship position.
• Demonstrated interest in literature, visual arts, or the organization of cultural events.
• Excellent people skills: friendly and professional in communicating with customers and visitors.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace; knowledge of social media management tools is a plus.
• Experience in event planning or marketing is a plus.
• Familiarity with local literary or art communities is desirable.

Additional Details

Apply