Program Manager

Summary of position

SCA seeks an insightful, equity-focused leader committed to cultivating spaces for student-centered learning that privilege the abilities of all learners. The Program Manager reports to the Program Director and provides focused oversight to Teaching Artists, ensuring TA’s are supported throughout all aspects of their work. The ideal candidate embraces collaborative leadership and employs inquiry-based approaches to support a generative culture of learning. The Manager co-leads the Curatorial Committee and facilitates the development of internal and public exhibitions of student artwork. As an active member of the Chicago arts and education communities, the Manager will intentionally deepen existing partnerships while cultivating new relationships with the Chicago Public Schools, west suburban school districts, as well as arts and cultural institutions. The Manager holds a strong understanding of trauma-informed practices and utilizes an asset-based framework that supports developing the leadership and shared vision of the team.

Evolving Practice & Quality Assurance

• Facilitate bi-weekly meetings with individual TA’s to collaborate, generate ideas, assess needs, respond to the evolving health-care system, and discuss current programming, database and assessment progress, and other pertinent topics.

• Collaborate with Program Director and Teaching Artists to develop equity-focused and culturally responsive curricula that centers marginalized identities, art histories, and movements. 
• Engage as a thought-partner to further develop trauma-informed programming and curricula that is benchmarked on state and national learning standards. 

• Collaborate in refinement of HIPAA-compliant student database and artwork archive.
• Collaborate with Program Director and Governing Board Liaison to strengthen student scholarship program to best respond to the unique needs of students and families.

Partnerships & Relationships

• Collaborate with Program Director to intentionally deepen existing partnerships while cultivating new relationships with Chicago Public Schools, west suburban school districts, as well as arts and cultural institutions.
• Facilitate engagement of external art partners and education organizations 
• Secure exhibition space and negotiate with partners when applicable
• Launch and manage youth-led Alumni Advisory Board, providing facilitation at quarterly meetings.
• Lead student and family engagement initiatives aligned with SCA’s community and family engagement practices. 
• Participate in Governing Board’s Program Committee in order to meet goals of SCA’s 3-year strategic plan. 
• Spearhead the production of school reports and support SDCA’s academic advocacy for students.

• Work in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, public and private school administrators, and hospital teachers to ensure the greatest number of SCA students receive academic credit for their work at the individual and systems level.

Curatorial & Public Events

• In partnership with Program Director and Curatorial Committee, co-lead execution of student exhibitions and public events, manage shipping, framing, mounting, preparation, invoicing and installation of student artwork with partnering institutions and individuals.
• In partnership with remote, contracted support, maintain SCA’s digital art archive.
• Collaborate, as needed, with contracted curator on paid exhibitions and installations.

Administrative

• Produce monthly data reports as well as other reports for the Development and Communications team; schedule one-on-one tours with Teaching Artists in partner hospitals.
• Manage payroll for hourly employees and submit to accountant; update artist staffing schedules; assist with onboarding of new staff.
• Approve, order, and manage the timely delivery/pick-up of artistic supplies and equipment across hospital campuses; support financial tracking and coding of supply purchases and accounts; occasionally move artwork and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds for various curricular and event needs. 
• Support staff interactions with Governing Board, Auxiliary Board and Board Committees.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and a short (no more than three pages) writing to employment@snowcityarts.org. The position will remain open until filled. 

Background Check and Health Records

A criminal background will not automatically eliminate you from consideration through a criminal history background check will be conducted on the final candidates prior to beginning employment. A variety of documentation (typically related to vaccines and annual tests, which are paid for by Snow City Arts) is required to meet the health documentation requirements of our hospital partners.

Snow City Arts is an equal opportunity employer. Snow City Arts is committed to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic team. ALAANA-identified individuals, trans and gender nonconforming people, people from poor and working class backgrounds and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.