Summer Arts Program Coordinator – Multi-Arts Camp (Ages 6–9)

Art Institute of Chicago•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is a leading institution in art, design, and scholarship, consistently ranked among the top graduate fine arts programs. It offers an interdisciplinary approach with world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum. The Continuing Studies department at SAIC provides education for students aged six to adult, fostering critical thinking, rigorous investigation, and playful creativity. This department manages numerous faculty, teaching assistants, and program assistants across various programs, including the Multi-Arts Camp (MAC), a multidisciplinary, museum-education-rooted summer program for youth ages 6–9, with courses running in two-week sessions throughout July and August. The Program Coordinator (PC) for the 280 Building serves as the primary on-site operational lead for Continuing Studies summer youth programs, with a particular focus on the MAC Program. This role involves preparing for and managing day-to-day operations, maintaining operational flow, addressing issues in real time, and ensuring a safe, well-coordinated environment for students, families, faculty, and staff. The PC acts as the primary point of contact for all stakeholders, balancing student and family support, supervising program and teaching assistants, and making real-time operational decisions, especially during peak periods like drop-off, pick-up, lunch, and class transitions. Frequent caregiver communication, youth behavior management, conflict mediation, and de-escalation are core components of the role. The PC also provides limited administrative support to other Continuing Studies programs as needed. This position requires independence, proactive communication, and appropriate escalation of concerns due to physical distance from supervisors.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in an art/education-related field or evidence of a self-directed work ethic, a demonstrated ability to think critically, and a passion for education/youth development
At least three years of experience working directly with youth (pre-k, elementary, middle school, and/or high school)
Ability to effectively multitask in a fast-paced environment, with special attention paid to caring for student well-being and safety
Experience communicating with students and caregivers around sensitive topics and information
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to communicate clearly with students, staff, and caregivers
At least one year of experience supervising others
Basic computer experience, including working with word processors, spreadsheets, and the ability to learn new software
Completion of a background check and mandated reporter training before beginning employment

Responsibilities

Participating in planning meetings to establish program workflows, building-specific procedures, communication norms, and escalation pathways.
Preparing and co-leading recorded information sessions for students and caregivers, with particular attention to family-facing communication expectations.
Preparing and co-leading training sessions for faculty, teaching assistants, and program assistants, including expectations around supervision, communication, documentation, and student support.
Organizing, distributing, and maintaining inventory of classroom and program supplies.
Preparing materials and family-facing and internal email communications necessary for program administration.
Completing administrative preparation and documentation required for summer operations.
Acting as a primary point of contact for students and caregivers, managing frequent parent communication, responding to concerns, and resolving conflicts with professionalism, clarity, and care.
Leading daily management of MAC drop-off and pick-up processes, ensuring safety, efficiency, and clear communication with caregivers.
Managing peak congestion periods—including lunch, transitions, and high-traffic moments—by prioritizing needs, deploying staff effectively, and adjusting plans in real time.
Moving throughout the SAIC campus, with a focus on the 280 Building, to observe teaching and learning environments, monitor student behavior, and proactively identify and address issues.
Collaborating with faculty and Continuing Studies staff to ensure classrooms are appropriately staffed, equipped, and supported.
Building and maintaining working relationships with campus partners outside Continuing Studies, including SAIC cafes, security, and facilities management.
Supervising student program assistants, including task delegation, monitoring follow-through, providing feedback, and offering course correction within a formal supervisory structure.
Overseeing daily lunch operations in collaboration with program and teaching assistants.
Meeting weekly with the Assistant Dean for Operations to report highlights, concerns, and emerging operational needs.
Communicating with Continuing Studies deans and administrative directors to respond to faculty and teaching assistant needs and to escalate concerns appropriately.
Supporting end-of-session exhibitions and open studios.
Ensuring classroom spaces and supply areas are clean, organized, and functional.
Coordinating coverage for absent faculty and teaching assistants and, when necessary, temporarily substituting until coverage is secured.
Assisting with space reset and organization.
Reviewing student and caregiver evaluations.
Updating shared documentation and operational resources.
Contributing to reporting and end-of-summer debrief processes.