PROGRAM DIR - CULTURAL AFFAIRS

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Program Director - Cultural Affairs

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS (DCASE)

Visual Arts Division, Arts Education

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $118,128

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 6/2/2025

All qualified and interested candidates must apply online at

Chi.gov/DCASEJobs

The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city - to strengthen and celebrate Chicago.

DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city - serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago.

The Program Director - Cultural Affairs position will provide program oversight and strategic direction and vision for the Arts Education Program in DCASE. In this capacity, the position will perform the following:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Direct and lead the day-to-day operations of the Arts Education Program. Develop and implement strategic program objectives, goals, plans, policies, processes, procedures, and priorities
• Ensure program compliance, evaluation, and data collection in alignment with DCASE's mission and strategic objectives, and ensure program compliance and participation with federal, state, and local laws, including City of Chicago and its city-wide vision and initiatives
• Build intergovernmental relationships related to arts learning with relevant citywide departments and sister agencies, including Chicago Public Library (CPL), Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and the Chicago Park District (CPD)
• Create, maintain, and update program criteria, participation requirements, selection processes, guidelines, audits, and program assessments and evaluations
• Conduct research and keep abreast of trends, best practice standards, legislation, and funding related to arts education, and make recommendations, revisions, and updates
• Work with the Deputy Commissioner and Executive Administration team on program priorities, initiatives, curricula, issues, and updates
• Lead the Learning Lab, Artist in Residence, and other initiatives and programs
• Manage and supervise professional and paraprofessional employees working in the arts education program. Hire, train, coach, and motivate. Assign, prioritize, and review work, conduct performance evaluations, address problems, manage time and attendance, and make recommendations on training and professional development opportunities
• Direct community engagements and partnerships to ensure participation and outreach with key stakeholders. Establish and build relationships and partnerships with arts and academic professionals, arts, cultural, social, and civic organizations/groups/agencies, neighborhoods, communities, and artists
• Conduct on-site visits to local schools, libraries, parks, community meetings, arts organizations/groups/agencies, arts studios, galleries, museums, aldermanic offices, etc.
• Direct, prepare, and manage program budgets, comprehensive reports, fundraising, and marketing efforts and work with DCASE internal divisions such as Finance and Development and Marketing and Communications
• Develop annual project budgets, monitor funds and expenditures, and negotiate contract agreements, sales, and/or commissions
• Prepare comprehensive and status update reports with narrative information and statistical data
• Perform activities to solicit funds for events, identify funding opportunities, and write grant proposals
• Use social media, lectures, community outreach, special events, and interviews to promote the program
• Lead professional development and technical assistance strategies to provide useful resources and assistance. Meet with school administrators, educators, arts organizations, artists, alderpeople, etc. to answer questions, troubleshoot issues, and walk through the program's processes. Create, lead, facilitate, and attend workshops, panel discussions, fairs, internal and external meetings, special events, interviews, and other ways to assist and share information
• Research and identify professional development opportunities, such as conferences, training courses, literature, etc. to share
• Work with diverse groups of people and artists from targeted areas. Serve as a liaison to artists and outside cultural and civic organizations.
• Supply art materials, maintain inventory of artwork and works submitted by artists. Research and identify partnership opportunities to provide centralized low-cost creative reuse arts resources for Chicago area arts educators.
• Manage installation sites, and ensure the installation, set up, and removal of artwork, materials, and supplies
• Perform related duties as required

Additional duties may be required for this position

LOCATION: Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)

78 E. Washington St., Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL 60602

HOURS: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday

Must be flexible to work some mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel.

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree, plus five (5) years of administrative experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts, creative arts programming, grantmaking, or arts administration of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position. OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree, plus five (4) years of administrative experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts, creative arts programming, grantmaking, or arts administration of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position.

NOTE: You must provide your transcripts or diploma at the time of processing

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a written exercise as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

* Master's degree preferred in Arts Education, Arts Administration, Museum Studies, Fine Arts, Art History or a related field

* Advanced skills in budgeting, forecasting, and timeline management

* Advanced knowledge of current trends and best practices in arts education

Knowledge: Knowledge of modern and contemporary art and artists, arts and culture sector, artist communities, arts organizations and groups, galleries, museums, art centers, and schools. Knowledge of trends in professional art exhibitions, training programs, and artist in residence programs. Knowldedge of art, culture, and civic engagement.

Abilities: Must be detail-oriented. Ability to provide technical assistance on job responsibilities. Ability to prepare financial and narrative reports. Strong ability to multi-task and be flexible. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds. Ability to learn new technology and train others. Ability to plan, manage and follow through on assignments and communicate at all levels of the department in a timely and professional manner. Ability to work independently and as a member of a team with minimal supervision.

Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills. Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking. Proven organizational skills. High attention to detail. Demonstrate strong analytical skills. Manage complex processes, accelerated timelines within a fast-paced environment. Critical thinking related to program development, strategy, and implementation. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and the Internet.

Other Requirements: Able to work some mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel.

Working Conditions: Work indoors and outdoors in extreme weather conditions and noise. General office environment, using standard office equipment.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor