Job Number:

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

PROGRAM DIRECTOR – CULTURAL AFFAIRS

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Visual Arts Division, Exhibitions

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 09/24/2024

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, Exhibitions position is responsible for directing and managing professional staff responsible for visual art exhibitions and related programs and special projects at the Chicago Cultural Center, City Galleries, and other city locations. In this capacity, the position will perform the following:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develop and implement program objectives, standards, and processes for exhibitions and visual art programs, ensuring compliance, evaluation, and data collection in alignment with DCASE’s mission and strategic objectives
• Manage and supervise professional and paraprofessional employees involved in the coordination, curatorial, and oversight of exhibitions and programs
• Supervise the recruitment, selection, and contracting of professional artists hired for department fine art exhibitions, programs, and special projects
• Prepare, conduct, and supervise presentations for panel recommendations to advisory committees and at educational community outreach events
• Research current trends and professional best practice standards of fine art exhibitions, traveling exhibitions, and artist in residence programs
• Supervise logistical arrangements, accommodations, and itineraries for artists and guests, and host events as required
• Coordinate the efforts of artists, city departments, arts committees, other cities and governmental agencies and private companies involved with the administration and support of exhibitions, programs and events
• Manage program sites, ensuring the installation, set up, maintenance, and removal of artwork, equipment, materials, and supplies, and may assist in the installation and removal of artwork
• Oversee marketing and promotional campaigns publicizing programs, using social media, lectures, special events, and interviews
• Work with staff to research and write grant proposals and develop partnerships to support grant activities and solicit program funding
• Develop comprehensive reports with program status and effectiveness, statistical components, and narrative information
• Provide technical assistance and serve as a liaison to artists and outside cultural and civic organizations
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with exhibition partners, including artists, arts organizations, and city departments
• Review and draft recommendations to improve the effectiveness of program policies and procedures consistent with the department’s priorities
• Oversee the management of electronic databases, files, records, inventory, maintenance, and conservation
• Provide artistic and creative direction to DCASE exhibitions, referencing current trends understanding of Chicago’s cultural landscape, and best practice and equity standards to deliver the highest quality artwork
• Prepare, conduct, and supervise professional development, community engagement, education and outreach programs to art exhibition professionals, communities, and stakeholder groups
• Monitor and approve expenditures and prepare management reports to maintain project timelines and budgets
• Establish and manage professional networks and relationships with local, national, and international artists and arts communities on behalf of DCASE
• Oversee the preparation of promotional materials and the marketing of exhibition projects, programs, and events
• Develop performance standards, conduct employee performance evaluations, and ensure established work objectives and program standards are met
• 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

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm

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 in Arts Administration, Public Administration, Curatorial Studies, Visual Arts, Museum Studies, Performance Art, Arts Education, Art History, Architecture, Urban Planning or a directly related field plus five years of administrative experience in a visual arts institution, independent curator of notable exhibitions, exhibition industry, or a related environment, of which two 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

• Experience managing large-scale public art projects

• Advanced skills in budgeting, forecasting, and timeline management

• Advanced knowledge of current trends and best practices in visual arts and exhibitions

• A network of major artists working in the visual arts field today

Knowledge: Some experience and knowledge of public, modern, and contemporary art. Knowledge of best practices of museums and arts centers. Knowledge of various art disciplines with a specific emphasis on curatorial art projects and programs that exist in the public realm. Budget and timeline preparation, event and project planning and administration. Experience working with various stakeholder and constituent groups including individuals, community and arts organizations, city departments, and elected officials. Understanding of equity and community engagement frameworks. Basic knowledge of city cultural and neighborhood dynamics. Private and public funding sources for applicable programs. Management and supervisory methods, practices, and procedures. Experience using evaluation and data collection tools and resources.

Abilities: Demonstrated leadership and management ability. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in partnership with people of diverse backgrounds. Commitment to working collaboratively, including artistic and curatorial collaborations, and ability to generate consensus. Ability to identify themes and design programs accordingly. Ability to think creatively about ways to engage and develop audiences and synthesize pertinent arts data, trends, community engagement feedback, and evaluate reports and fold them into goal setting decisions. Ability to manage multiple tasks. Ability to use social media to advance and promote programs.

Skills: Strong leadership, motivational, and interpersonal skills. Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including presentation and public speaking skills. Strong skills in leading and working in collaboration with individuals and organizations as a team. Strong organizational skills and extreme attention to detail. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Internet. Math skills (sufficient to prepare and monitor budgets).

Other Requirements: Must possess a proven record of success in working with living artists and performers. Organizing and installing art exhibitions. Writing and producing exhibitions and catalogues. Preparing and tracking budgets. Speaking in public. Some work on evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel.

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

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