The Front Room Retail & Studio Manager
Organization: MADE Makerspace
Position: The Front Room Retail & Studio Manager
Schedule: Primarily Thursday–Saturday during The Front Room operating hours, with flexibility to work additional evenings and weekends for special events and community activities.
About MADE Makerspace
MADE is a nonprofit makerspace dedicated to inspiring creativity, building community, and increasing access to tools, education, and hands-on experiences. Through our workshops, memberships, retail space, and collaborative programming, we empower people to learn new skills, share their talents, and bring ideas to life.
The Front Room is the front door to MADE—a welcoming retail store, creative gathering space, and showcase for local artists and makers.
Connected to The Front Room, the Pop-Up Art Studio offers rotating, hands-on creative experiences led by local artists that make creativity accessible to people of all ages and skill levels.
The Front Room and Pop-Up Art Studio are part of The Commons, a collaborative community space shared by MADE and The Novel Neighbor that brings together creativity, retail, events, and community engagement.
At MADE, we believe creativity builds connection. Every interaction, workshop, and retail experience is an opportunity to help someone feel inspired, welcomed, and part of our community.
If you love supporting local artists, creating memorable experiences, and building community through creativity, we’d love to meet you.
Position Summary
The Retail & Studio Manager oversees MADE’s public-facing retail store and Pop-Up Art Studio, ensuring every visitor enjoys a welcoming, engaging, and inspiring experience.
As the primary steward of The Front Room, this position manages retail operations, artist partnerships, community programming, and creative experiences while introducing visitors to memberships, classes, events, and opportunities to become part of MADE’s creative community.
The ideal candidate enjoys working with people, thrives in a creative environment, has strong organizational skills, and is passionate about supporting local artists while helping visitors discover everything MADE has to offer.
Retail & Visitor Experience
- Oversee the daily operations of The Front Room retail store.
- Create an exceptional customer experience for every visitor.
- Open and close the store according to established procedures.
- Process sales using MADE’s point-of-sale system.
- Assist visitors with purchases, memberships, classes, and general information about MADE.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and visually inspiring retail environment through effective merchandising, seasonal displays, and thoughtful product placement.
- Monitor inventory levels, product performance, and sales trends to maintain a fresh and engaging retail experience.
- Coordinate product intake, labeling, pricing, and merchandising.
- Order retail supplies as needed.
- Prepare regular sales and inventory reports.
- Resolve operational needs professionally and proactively.
Artist & Maker Partnerships
- Serve as the primary point of contact for retail artists and makers.
- Recruit, onboard, and cultivate relationships with local artists.
- Maintain artist agreements, W-9s, contact information, inventory, sales, commission, and payout records.
- Receive, inspect, photograph, price, and merchandise artist inventory.
- Coordinate artist commission payouts with MADE’s administrative team.
- Communicate regularly with artists regarding inventory, product performance, seasonal displays, and upcoming opportunities.
- Curate a diverse, high-quality retail selection that reflects MADE’s mission and community.
Pop-Up Art Studio
- Oversee the planning and day-to-day operation of MADE’s Pop-Up Art Studio.
- Coordinate all aspects of studio programming, including artist scheduling, project planning, supply management, studio preparation, and participant experience.
- Recruit, train, schedule, and coordinate volunteers who support The Front Room, Pop-Up Art Studio, and community events.
- Track attendance, expenses, supply usage, and program outcomes.
- Collect participant and artist feedback to strengthen future programming.
- Develop seasonal projects, creative collaborations, and new community art experiences.
Community Engagement & Events
Working closely with MADE’s marketing team:
- Collaborate on promoting artists, retail products, studio activities, and community events through social media, email marketing, photography, and storytelling.
- Assist with seasonal campaigns, event promotion, website updates, and promotional materials.
- Assist with event setup, teardown, artist logistics, and visitor experience during community events.
- Cultivate an open, welcoming environment where community members feel comfortable gathering, creating, and exploring.
Community Partnerships
The Front Room and Pop-Up Art Studio are part of The Commons, a shared community space with The Novel Neighbor.
Work collaboratively with The Novel Neighbor and other community partners to create a welcoming shared space, strengthen community engagement, encourage visitors to explore both organizations, and address operational needs professionally.
Qualifications
Required
- Outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with a small team.
- Comfortable learning point-of-sale, inventory, scheduling, and basic financial reporting systems.
- Professional communication skills with the ability to build positive relationships and navigate challenges with artists, volunteers, customers, and community partners.
- Passion for creativity, community engagement, and supporting local artists.
Preferred
- Experience in retail, galleries, boutiques, arts organizations, nonprofit organizations, or creative businesses.
- Experience with visual merchandising and inventory management.
- Experience coordinating workshops, events, or community programming.
- Experience using Square or a similar point-of-sale system.
- Photography or social media experience.
- Familiarity with the St. Louis creative community.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and move throughout retail shifts and events.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to assist with moving displays, artwork, retail fixtures, tables, and supplies.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Success in This Role
Within the first year, the successful candidate will:
- Maintain an organized, welcoming, and financially healthy retail store.
- Build strong relationships with local artists, community partners, and The Novel Neighbor.
- Successfully coordinate engaging Pop-Up Art Studio programming.
- Maintain accurate artist inventory and commission reporting.
- Increase visitor engagement and retail participation.
- Help make The Front Room one of the most welcoming and inspiring creative destinations in the St. Louis region.
Pay: From $15.00 per hour
Benefits:
Experience:
- Community engagement: 2 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
