Art Bridges is seeking a skilled, highly motivated and entrepreneurial individual to join the team as a Program Manager. The ideal teammate will have experience in museum and/or art education, project management, a clear communication style, administrative skills, and a proven history of proactively balancing multiple tasks.
About the Position
Youll join a top-notch team and focus on the needs of our partners by facilitating dialogs with applicants and to plan compelling, innovative and content rich community programming and interpretive materials related to art object loans and exhibitions.
What you will do
You will be responsible for facilitating planning discussions with applicants in order to design thoughtful, imaginative, and innovative programs to draw in new and diverse audiences.
Responsibilities
Program Management
Collaborate with applicants to develop programs for the applicant museum. This includes developing program themes and goals, helping to identify and contract presenters, performers and vendors, coaching applicants on writing program copy and coordinating preparations for programs with applicants colleagues.
Encourage applicant to engage with the local community to build collaborations, program diversity and audience interest, and to cultivate effective collaborative relationships with area artists, institutions and organizations to help develop quality public programming.
Work closely with curators, educators and exhibitions managers at the applicant museum to connect with potential partners at the appropriate time
Assist in the development of programming and interpretation within museum spaces and museum communities
Develop expertise in the Art Bridges collection in order to support the creation of presentations and interpretation
Collaborate with applicants, stakeholders, partners, and Crystal Bridges staff to establish frameworks for programs, and applicable research.
Assist in the development of engaging and content-rich, educational and interpretive materials. Project Management
Work with applicants to develop meaningful, challenging, and innovative project ideas, and as needed - connect them with experts in the field that can help make their projects great
Coordinate the application process, from solicitation to completed application
Work with a database to enter and track information on every project
Draft summaries/dockets of all applications for board review
Prepare complete packets of materials for external readers
Receive and enter project reports according to established timelines
Work with funding team to insure timely payout of project funds
Summarize final project reports
Oversee use of Art Bridges logo and branding by partners in their portfolio
Responsibly manage budgets and assist partners in doing the same
Manage contact databases, including the lists of potential partners
Schedule, arrange, and coordinate relevant meetings
Develop and maintain professional relationships with staff and partners Website and Software Management
Advise on the creation of interactive tools to be integrated into the next version of the website
Identify and work with grant management software, both existing and potentially available for the future
Update the Art Bridges website with relevant information on projects in their portfolio Application Management
Organize, and implement the internal calendar for applications, including deadlines and yearly project goals
Interact with and respond to inquiries from funding recipients throughout the project period
Continuously improve the application process
Prepare and adapt standardized response letters and forms Promotion Management
Track and prepare relevant data about projects, including qualitative and quantitative information
Create newsletter content about projects and partners
Share our work at conferences (as appropriate)
Who we are looking for
You are a strong and empathetic listener and are able to respond to the needs of museum professionals at every level, from small to large institutions. You have experience in museum education and evaluation. You have a network of peers in the industry that you can leverage as a resource.
Personal attributes that support your success
A great sense of humor, and a passion for the power of the arts
Enthusiasm about joining an organization thats new, evolving, and poised to have major impact on the art museum field
Excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to self-start and exhibit a high degree of initiative
Ability to multi-task and think critically in a busy work environment
Able to creatively and effectively problem solve
Additional Helpful Experience Includes
Experience in programming and evaluation
Non-profit experience
2+ years of specialized training in office procedures or related field
Physical demands
Occasionally, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently regionally and in communities served. In the work environment described below, position requires working at a desk and utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time and good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for art materials storage and preparation and as appropriate for the demands of the division office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.
Work environment
Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, and in communities served. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required. The noise level in the Museum work environment is usually low to moderate.
About the Art Bridges Foundation
Art Bridges is a new foundation, founded by Alice Walton, whose mission is to share outstanding examples of American art with those that have limited access to them. Art Bridges organizes and administrates exhibitions of American art for display at public and academic art museums of all sizes. These exhibitions draw from Art Bridges growing collection, and the collections of partner institutions, foundations, and private collectors.
The exhibitions supported by Art Bridges are engaging, content-rich, and include in-depth educational and interpretive materials. They range from single-object loans to fully developed thematic exhibitions, and include support for programming, community outreach, audience engagement, and meaningful evaluation.
As a growing organization, Art Bridges contracts directly with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to provide expertise and services vital to the care of its collection, and launching major initiatives. Presently, Art Bridges has fewer than five (5) staff members, and it is time to expand the team as the program is growing rapidly.
Art Bridges is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status of protected veteran, among other things or status as a qualified individual with a disability.
Basic Qualifications
2+ years of relevant project management experience
2+ years of relevant experience with art exhibitions, museum education or working in an arts organization
Valid drivers license required. Willing and able to travel regionally
Excellent project management experience, including creating new systems from scratch
Excellent oral and written communications skills including business letter writing and clear, concise reports
Demonstrated English skills in accuracy, proofreading, grammar, spelling, and attention to detail
Working knowledge of arts administration practices
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office
Willingness and ability to learn specialized software as required
Proficiency with office technology, including standard office equipment (telephone, fax, copier, computers, projectors) and web-based solutions (conference calls, video conferences, etc.)
Strong organizational skills
Strong mathematical, quantitative, and analytical skills