Director of Community Arts

The Director of Community Arts reports to the Cambridge Arts Council (Cambridge Arts) Executive Director and is responsible for the production and administration of core agency programming and community support and engagement that prioritizes the needs of and opportunities for local artists, creative makers, arts organizations and cultural economic development. Job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop and produce Cambridge Arts River Festival, the City’s annual celebration of the arts featuring over 300 artists & performers across 6 performance stages, 8-10 interactive artmaking areas, 100 arts/craft vendors, 50 food vendors and other roving performances and activities that celebrate the arts in Cambridge and productively engage local and regional audiences.
• Develop and produce the annual Cambridge Arts Open Studios, a citywide event showcasing 150+ local artists and performers in approximately 75 locations throughout the City, including 3-5 city organized Common Venues for group exhibition.
• Develop and manage Creative Marketplace, a cultural economic development program that includes “Community Supported Art” and professional development opportunities for local artists and a Corporate Lending program that places local artists’ work in business and corporate settings throughout the City.
• Develop and produce the annual Summer in the City performance series, Cambridge Arts’ outdoor performance series for youth and families consisting of 50-20 professional, interactive, educational performances and outdoor community movie nights in partnership with the City’s Community Schools Program, Parks & Recreation, Retail Districts and neighborhood organizations.
• Oversee all aspects of Cambridge Arts Grant Program including community education and engagement, technical support for applicants, peer panel review and grant distribution and ongoing partnership and support for recipients.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new and ongoing community-based programming and inter-departmental special initiatives in response to identified community needs.
• Oversee fundraising efforts and budget management to ensure substantial funds to produce and expand all Community Arts programming goals
• Oversee the implementation of the City’s Street Performer Program and Sidewalk Use Ordinance that guides it. Hire and train seasonal Street Performer Monitors and train them as advocates for participating performers and mediators between performers and the business and residential communities in the City.  
• Organize inclusive and transparent artist and talent selection processes for all programs that engage and reflect the diverse Cambridge community through open calls, community panels, review committees, professional juries and other methods that ensure broad access to artistic and presentation opportunities.  
• Provide consultation and assistance to local organizations, businesses, community-based groups, municipalities and individuals for program development, grant writing best practices and securing required City permits and licenses to support their work.
• Initiate and nurture local partnerships in both the public and private sector to deepen connections to the community and bring new artistic experiences to our constituency. 
• At the request of the Executive Director, report to the Cambridge Arts Advisory Board and solicit advice on the status and quality of Community Arts programming and services including related ideas, plans and budget-related information 
• On behalf of the Community Art programs and activities, prepare and present quarterly program reports, grant reports and benchmarking and respond to inquiries by the Executive Director, City Manager and the Cambridge City Council
• Participate in training and development meetings, agency staff recruitment and hiring
• Recruit, train, and manage seasonal staff, graduate interns and volunteers to assist with the successful implementation of program goals, event production, marketing and overall maintenance of program related databases, such as the Grant Program and Street Performer databases, Slideroom and other systems as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:      

• BA degree in the arts or related field required, MA degree preferred.
• 5 years successful working experience in arts administration, performing arts and/or events management
• Management skills including event planning, contract negotiation and preparation, as well as budget oversight
• Demonstrated success in corporate fundraising, grant writing and individual solicitation for arts funding
• Experience in exhibition design, curation, and installation
• Marketing and promotion experience including public presentations and production of high quality, well written promotional materials (video, slide shows, posters, brochures, web-based content, etc.)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneous, work under pressure, and meet deadlines
• Ability to work well with the public, private and not-for-profit sectors
• Able and willing to participate in evening and/or weekend events and meetings on a regular basis
• Excellent computer skills and WEB knowledge required (MS Suite)
• Commitment to working with artists, City personnel and members of the Cambridge community

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer. Comfortability with transporting, installing and de-installing artwork; lifting, transporting and setting up equipment weighing up to and over 50lbs such as sound systems, movie screens, tents etc. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Standard office environment. Fluorescent lighting, carpeting and air conditioning. Moderate noise level.  Also works out of doors in a variety of weather conditions to transport artwork and items, monitor street performers, and for the set up and execution of events such as River Festival and Summer in the City.

RATE:    $60,818 - $85,874 + excellent benefits

HOURS OF WORK:                           37.5 hours per week, availability for evening and weekend events and meetings