Director of Arts + Tech

West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology • Grand Rapids, MI

10d • $60,000 - $65,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Arts + Tech leads WMCAT’s programming in visual arts and digital media, including program design and implementation, curriculum development, arts + tech team development, organization leadership, and progress toward the organization’s strategic goals. Both an internal and community-facing role, the Director leads and supports a team of staff and teaching artists in implementing high-quality, youth-centered creative experiences, advancing the mission of WMCAT to provide equitable access to opportunity. The ideal candidate is a dedicated advocate of arts education with experience in youth development; enjoys building relationships with diverse stakeholders, from middle and high school students to community partners to funders; and is committed to leveraging opportunities in the arts to cultivate belonging, elevate youth voice, and build creative confidence in young people.

Requirements

• Five or more years of related experience in arts education, creative youth development, K-12 education and/or nonprofit youth program management.
• Bachelor's degree in arts education, education, visual or media arts, social services, or another relevant field of study.
• Prior experience with curriculum development and instructional design.
• Familiarity with the life cycle of grant funding, from application to final reporting needs.
• Experience managing a wide range of simultaneous projects, competing priorities, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Cultural competency and emotional intelligence to work with individuals from varied backgrounds and foster open communication among diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead a team to adapt to changing circumstances and ambiguity.
• Excellent organizational skills and desire to maximize efficiency in this role.
• Proficiency in computer skills, especially Microsoft Suite/Office 365.
• Native-level proficiency in English.
• Ability to inspire and engage others with WMCAT’s mission and work.
• Consistent personal transportation will be necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct all aspects of Arts + Tech programs, including program design and development, implementation, recruitment, retention, promotion, evaluation, and financial sustainability.
• Lead curriculum development with program staff and teaching artists to create high-quality, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences for all students.
• Scale existing programming and pilot new studio initiatives aligned with current trends and emerging opportunities in partnership with the Senior Director of Programs.
• Align programs with nationally recognized best practices in creative youth development and community engagement.
• Develop and implement program-level plans aligned with organizational strategic goals in partnership with the Senior Director of Programs.
• Establish systems and processes to evaluate programs, including maintaining dashboards to track student progress, demographics, program outcomes, and data needed for grants and reporting.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with school districts, organizations providing holistic student supports, and project collaborators, in coordination with the Senior Director of Programs.
• Maintain intentional awareness of and engagement with: Best practices in community arts education programs serving teens. Current trends, technology, and youth interests. Relevant memberships, conferences, and professional development opportunities related to this role and the organization overall.
• Prepare and manage program budgets and studio resources responsibly and effectively.
• Lead, support, and evaluate full-time staff and part-time teaching artists, conduct performance reviews as applicable to ensure standards are met and professional growth opportunities are identified.
• Ensure alignment with organizational policies and ethical business practices.
• Serve as the primary community representative for Arts + Tech, communicating effectively about programming with a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Collaborate with the communications team on program recruitment plans and communication strategies and support broader organizational communications efforts as a representative of WMCAT.
• Support fund development efforts by providing program data, teen artist stories, and donor tours as requested.
• Foster an environment of open communication within and across the organization.
• Demonstrate strong leadership by building trust with teen artists, staff, and program partners; inspire the team and provide clear direction towards the program goals.
• Advance WMCAT's mission and vision to ensure equitable access to opportunity for all.
• Serve on WMCAT’s director team, contributing program expertise and collaborative leadership for the organization.
• Recognize your responsibility and contribution to the culture of WMCAT.
• Represent WMCAT at designated events throughout the year, which may occur outside of standard scheduled hours.
• Foster positive relationships with staff and students.
• Desire to align with WMCAT’s values.

Benefits

• 15 days of Personal Time Off (PTO) – vacation, personal, sick
• 15 paid holidays
• Birthday day off
• Half-day Fridays during the summer
• Simple IRA with employer match of up to 3%
• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision), premium 65% (average) paid by employer
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary, and AD&D)
• Paid Family Leave
• Professional development and opportunities for personal growth

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director