Community Access Program Manager – Edmundson Art Foundation dba Des Moines Art Center

Title of the Job: Community Access Program Manager

Location: Des Moines, IA

Job Description: Position SummaryThe Community Access Program (CAP) Manager provides vision and leadership for all Community Access programs, while building impactful relationships with community partners, independent contractors, and program participants. This position is responsible for managing a large team of independent contract Teaching Artists and developing inclusive, equitable art experiences that celebrate diversity and representation.This position develops and implements opportunities for members of the local community who otherwise face barriers to arts access by engaging with non-profit wellbeing and social services organizations and schools. The aim of this work is to improve community access to artistic expression by offering free art classes and activities, as well as supporting accessible engagement with Art Center collections and exhibitions.Reporting and ContactsThis position reports to the Senior Director of Museum Learning, Engagement, and Community Access, and has frequent contact with peers and managers from other departments, especially Communications and Marketing, Curatorial, Development, and Studio Arts (the art school). Constant communication is also required with independent contractors, program partners, and students/learners of all ages.The Community Access Program Manager supervises the Community Access Program Assistant and department interns, and oversees the corps of independent contract Teaching Artists. As a result, the following leadership behaviors are required:

• Model the way
• Establish a safe environment
• Set expectations and hold people accountable
• Grow people for improved performance
• Deliver results

Essential Functions

• Works closely with the Senior Director of Museum Learning, Engagement, and Community Access to create the vision for and provide strategic leadership to all Community Access Programs.
• Cultivates and maintains productive, collaborative relationships with regional non-profit partners to develop tailored workshops and classes that engage the community and empower audiences to participate in museums and arts learning opportunities.
• Conducts research into trauma-informed classroom facilitation, disability studies, and general classroom- and art-related best practices; remains up to date on related areas of expertise, including the fields of education, art therapy, and social work.
• In consultation with the Museum Learning and Engagement Manager, manages all elements of art-making activities for large museum-wide events which center on providing public access to the Art Center.
• Provides supervision, management, and mentorship to direct reports and large team of independent contractor Teaching Artists. This includes hiring, training, scheduling, and oversight of contracts and payroll, as well as advising the generation of lesson plans.
• Generates diverse, multi-cultural, inclusive curriculum that incorporates various media, including but not limited to visual arts and artforms reflective of partner organizations that emphasize current best practices in the field of arts-related education.
• Oversees the purchasing and maintenance of Community Access supply inventory, studio organization, and classroom set up.
• Conducts assessments and evaluations of both independent contractor Teaching Artists and overall Community Access Programs to ensure goals are being met and current initiatives remain relevant and impactful.
• With support from the Community Access Program Assistant, creates final programming-related reports, including items such as impact surveys, feedback reports, attendance spreadsheets, and benchmarking data; documents CAP programming in accordance with partner organization image permissions and restrictions for historical reference, and as a result, contributes to grant-writing and/or Art Center publications and/or multi-media presentations.
• Develops and manages the annual department budget in consultation with the Senior Director of Museum Learning, Engagement, and Community Access; liaises with the Art Center’s Development department to explore potential funding and assist on grant applications, writing, and reporting as required.
• Collaborates with the Art Center’s Communications and Marketing department to effectively promote the Community Access Program.
• With support from the Community Access Program Assistant, manages all internal and external communications.
• Organizes and curates events including the Art Center’s Annual Student Exhibition and Reception and the Annual Teaching Artist Exhibition and Reception.

Other ResponsibilitiesActs in ways that reflect favorably on the Art Center and maintains professional standards in the quality of performance and demonstration of concern for the Art Center’s collection, programs, and facilities. Uses guidelines in AAM Code of Ethics for Museums ( ) and adheres to the Art Center Employee Handbook, Code of Ethics, and other organizational policies.Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelors degree or BFA, or equivalent experience required.
• Previous teaching experience required, as well as experience partnering with communities that face barriers to art access; should include strong teaching and presentation skills, as well as appropriate and flexible communication habits, both verbal and written.
• Experience managing/leading individuals, teams, classrooms, and projects required, with emphasis on ensuring safe environments.
• Excellent organizational, project, and time management skills. Balances institutional, team, and individual responsibilities.
• Strong writing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft suite and internet applications, as well as the willingness to develop proficiency in the Art Center’s databases, including Artifax and Tessitura.
• State of Iowa Mandatory Reporting Certification required, or the ability to become certified upon hire.
• Remains current on research trends and participates in formal and informal learning environments, including a personal interest in broadening cultural and professional knowledge.
• Is highly emotionally intelligent, and therefore, able to work effectively with a diverse community and builds positive relationships with people regardless of their demographic and/or personal characteristics. This is applicable to Art Center staff, independent contract teaching artists, students, and community partners.
• Is personable; remains accessible to Art Center colleagues, staff, and program participants and demonstrates professionalism in interacting with all.
• Demonstrates high integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Displays willingness to make decisions: exhibitions sound judgement, includes appropriate parties/people in decision-making process, supports and explains rationale for decisions made, and makes timely decisions.
• Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ viewpoints, receives and gives feedback, contributes to building a positive team spirit, puts the success of the team above own interests, is able to build morale and generate group commitments to goals and objectives, and supports everyone’s efforts to succeed
• Arrivals at work on time, including to meetings and appointments, and ensures work responsibilities are covered when absence is necessary.

Special Considerations (Work Environment, Schedule, Required Travel, etc.)

• Some work is performed in an indoor office setting during business hours, Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. Some evening and/or weekend hours may be required based on programming and class schedules.
• Travel to off-site meetings and programs is required.
• This position offers a hybrid work schedule, allowing for work both in the office and remotely.

Physical FactorsDuties are considered light work. Essential physical requirements include exerting up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects, reach, grasp, stand, and walk. Must be able to communicate verbally, see clearly, and hear/perceive sound.Equipment Used

• Office furniture (desk, chair, etc.) and office equipment (writing utensils, stapler, phone, printer/copier, calculator, etc.), as well as computer accessories (monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.)
• Simple hand tools, such as hammers and screwdrivers
• Packing supplies, such as box cutters and tape guns
• Art materials, such as paints, pencils, ink, clay, brushes, knives, etc.

Company Name: Edmundson Art Foundation dba Des Moines Art Center

Salary: $62296 – 93444 per year

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