Director of Community Arts and Workforce Programs

Job Posting Title

Director of Community Arts and Workforce Programs

Agency

055 STATE ARTS COUNCIL

Supervisory Organization

Oklahoma Arts Council

Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

$58,047

Job Description

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ARTS AND WORKFORCE PROGRAMS

FULL-TIME POSITION 

Department: Oklahoma Arts Council

County Location: Oklahoma 

Posting Date: May 8, 2023

Open Until Filled

OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL   
The Oklahoma Arts Council (OAC) is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts. We strive to build a diverse team comprised of the best and brightest individuals to support our mission to lead, cultivate, and amplify the transformative power of the arts for all Oklahomans and their communities. The Oklahoma Arts Council is currently seeking enthusiastic and creative people with an entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to public service to contribute to our team.

POSITION SUMMARY 
The Director of Community Arts and Workforce Programs is one of two program directors assigned to administer the Oklahoma Arts Council’s Community Arts Program (CAP). The position advises presenting organizations and grantees on best practices for audience-based programs such as exhibitions and performances. Responsibilities include overseeing plans and production of biennial cultural development programs—the Oklahoma Arts Conference and Leadership Arts. Part of the agency’s Rural and Creative Community Outreach Department, which provides direct service to Oklahoma communities and local leaders, this position reports directly to the Director of Rural and Creative Community Outreach. 

This is a full-time, exempt position with state retirement and insurance benefits, including health, dental, life and disability insurance. Salary is commensurate with experience with a cap of $58,047.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Director of Community Arts and Workforce Programs is responsible for the following functions in priority order:

Grants Management and Grantee Cultivation (Consultation and Capacity Building) (50%)

• Identify eligible grant applicants and promote grant opportunities, particularly in rural and under resourced communities. 

• Collaborate with the Director of Creative Placemaking and Community Development to oversee the Community Arts Program (CAP). CAP programs are typically defined as audience-based, community arts experiences such as festivals, exhibits, performances, and cultural events.

• Review all assigned grant applications and final reports. Score applications and provide constructive feedback for applicants.

• Provide technical assistance and feedback to grant applicants regarding agency grant guidelines and application process and review draft applications. 

• Serve as a staff panelist for the monthly grant review process and as lead panelist for projects as assigned.

• Conduct regular site visits to assess the artistic quality of agency-supported arts programs and to evaluate the organizational capacity of Oklahoma Arts Council grantees.

• Review final reports and make funding recommendations for all arts program projects as assigned.

• Work with grants office and program staff to ensure consistency and professionalism in the delivery of service. 

• Advise on quality program design and development. 

• Serve as a liaison to Hispanic and Latino communities in Oklahoma to build and strengthen relationships. 

Workforce Development Initiatives (50%)

Oklahoma Arts Conference

• Oversee planning of the Oklahoma Arts Conference.

  • Work under the supervision of the Director of Rural and Creative Community Outreach and in collaboration with all agency staff to develop the conference timeline, budget, presenters, schedule of events, registration, host community involvement, and all other program details. 

  • Work in collaboration with Oklahomans for the Arts (OFTA) in coordinating a partnership grant and managing registration, conference expenditures, vendors, budget, and financial information. 

  • Meet regularly with OFTA to share updates.

  • Work closely with host community co-chairs to arrange meeting space, catering, transportation, lodging, volunteers, special activities, and performances. 

  • Facilitate communication with host community committee.

  • Plan and lead all committee meetings, providing essential details for local involvement.

  • Create the staff production schedule.

  • Conduct post-conference evaluations.

  • Manage final payments, invoices, thank-you notes, and other post-event cessation activities.

Leadership Arts 

• Oversee the development and planning of the Leadership Arts program.

  • Work under the supervision of the Director of Rural and Creative Community Outreach in developing a program budget, establishing a timeline, devising application and selection processes, coordinating agency communications, and managing related program details.

  • Collaborate with host communities in designing authentic learning experiences. 

  • Enlist all agency staff in designing class learning experiences and leading specific activities or discussions. 

  • Manage production and organize and facilitate sessions.

  • Work closely with the Director of Rural and Creative Community Outreach and the Director of Creative Placemaking and Community Development to evaluate and evolve Leadership Arts programming.

  • Work with Oklahomans for the Arts in strengthening the Leadership Arts alumni program. 

Other: Overnight travel and attendance at evening or weekend meetings or events may be required. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Have knowledge of arts and arts programming as well as current trends and best practices in community development and/or city planning

• Possess experience with budget development. 

• Exhibit effective and strong organizational and administrative skills including flexibility, good listening skills, creative thinking, project oversight, ability to plan, set goals and objectives, and adherence to timelines.

• Be able to handle unforeseen events quickly, calmly, and in a professional manner.

• Promote and encourage a team-based approach to problem solving.

• Establish and maintain positive professional working relationships within and outside the agency.

• Understanding of the benefit of the arts to rural and underserved communities

• Possess strong written, oral communications, and interpersonal skills, including public speaking. 

• Take a proactive approach and work independently. 

• Collaborate as a team player with other agency staff to deliver quality programs and services. 

• Be able to administer highly confidential matters with tact and diplomacy and the utmost discretion. 

• Demonstrate professional business orientation and acumen.

• Be adept at interacting with people of various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds. 

• Demonstrate excellent planning and organizational skills. 

• Meet deadlines consistently. 

• Be attentive to detail and committed to excellence in all aspects of work.

• Present a professional appearance.

• Experience working in a team environment, to include providing professional support to colleagues.

• Ability to work with both the highly structured environment of state government and the highly flexible and changing environment of arts organizations and artists. 

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in art, arts administration or public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the arts and cultural, nonprofit, community development, or creative sector, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience 

• High-level project management experience required.

• Work with rural populations and/or culturally diverse populations a plus 

• Exemplary knowledge of technology, with a high level of computer literacy including the Microsoft Office 365 Suite (Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and SharePoint), database technologies, and mobile computing, among others

• Skilled in organizing work and managing time with ability to complete tasks requiring accuracy and attention to detail. 

• Bilingual, Spanish-speaker a plus

Key Requirements/Physical Demands:

• Pre-employment OSBI background check must be successfully completed.

• Must hold driver’s license and be able to drive a vehicle to various locations across the state if necessary.

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions through their Workday account. Go to Careers app on WD home screen>Click on ‘Find Jobs-Internal State of Oklahoma’.