Associate Director of Education Programs, Arts and Public Life

Department
 

AI APL Programming

About the Department
 

Arts + Public Life (APL), an initiative of UChicago Arts, is a dynamic hub of exploration, expression, and exchange that centers people of color and fosters neighborhood vibrancy through the arts on the South Side of Chicago. As a neighborhood platform for arts and culture in Washington Park, APL provides residencies for Black and Brown artists and creative entrepreneurs, arts education for youth, and artist-led programming and exhibitions.

Job Summary
 

The Associate Director of Education Programs is responsible for leading, initiating, overseeing, and implementing youth arts education programming for Arts + Public Life. Duties include student recruitment, recruiting and managing teaching artists for every education program, budget planning and administration, liaising with program funders, like After School Matters, and identifying practical opportunities for students within APL activities, among others.
APL’s Arts education programs offer in-depth programming at apprenticeship and internship levels to cultivate creativity, social development, and leadership while inspiring to make a positive difference in their community through the arts. We take an integrated, process-based approach to community engagement, with local teens sharing authorship over projects that are informed by their expertise as South Side residents and directly impact their communities. Programs level up over time as part of a tiered pathway that offers opportunities for access and exposure as well as supports dedicated to teens’ pursuit of careers in the arts—at and beyond APL.
APL’s education offerings includes:
● Backstage Production Program: an introduction to the fundamentals of theater production and stage management
● Community Actors Program: an introductory performance program utilizing Theater as a tool for community building and social change.
● Design Apprenticeship Program (I+II): a design-based mentorship and skills-building initiative that encourages teens and young adults to invest in the improvement of the physical and social conditions of their community.
● Teen Arts Council: The council members work with university staff and local partners to develop projects at the intersection of arts administration and community engagement.
● Teen Input Committee: a collaboration of teens who serve as advisors to education program decision-makers and promote student-led initiatives
The Associate Director of Education Programs reports to the Director of Engagement and Partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Leads, initiates, oversees and implements youth arts education programming in alignment with APL’s strategic priorities, mission, vision and values.
• Leads and be accountable for yearly and project budget planning and administration.
• Processes and be accountable for administrative paperwork for After School Matters, student stipends and payments, instructor contracts and invoicing, and other related tasks.
• Works in partnership with colleagues in UChicago Arts Development and Alumni Relations & Development to explore and pursue funding opportunities that will further APL’s education programs ambitions.
• Revises and edits draft documents, proposals and/or grant applications. Liaise with program funders, like After School Matters, and others as needed.
• Manages teaching artists recruitment, training, and onboarding.
• Conducts workshops for teachers and other educators on APL programs and initiatives involving youth programming.
• Establishes relationships and partnerships for student recruitment with South Side schools. 
• Manages student recruitment and onboarding for all programs.
• Identifies practical opportunities for students within APL activities and events.
• Oversees day-to-day education programming management, purchases, setup and take down.
• Assists with planning end of year events and program closings.                   
• Assists in the creation of marketing and fundraising materials by providing images and information for social/digital and print media.
• Conducts research for and drafts, edits, and prepares presentations, reports, white papers, and other documents on behalf of the APL leadership as needed.
• Serves as a member of the APL staff and assist with various programs and projects, including consulting with faculty director, staff, and students across the University on arts education projects and programs, and connecting them with appropriate UChicago Arts colleagues.
• Attends and/or leads department team meetings and APL staff meetings.
• Attends professional development workshops and other meetings with staff and community partners as required.
• If necessary, represents APL on arts-related and administrative committees both within the University and beyond, and other duties as assigned by the Director of Engagement and Partnerships, the Director and/or the Deputy Director of APL.
• Responsible for training office staff on office procedures and compliance protocols. Coordinates special projects.
• Researches and analyzes data to create reports, and may create other reports for grants and contracts.
• Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
• Has moderate/high levels of interactions with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience in the community arts sector.
• Significant experience working with young adults in the community arts sector.
• Experience and demonstrated success working with diverse communities in partnership with a variety of stakeholders including youth, community groups / organizations, parents, volunteers, and practicing artists.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Familiarity with the use of audio/video recording equipment.

Preferred Competencies

• Clear, effective, and polished oral and written communication skills; accept and incorporate critical feedback in a fast-paced setting and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Successfully manage a workload that balances long-range planning with the unanticipated daily demands of managing education programs. Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and under tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational, planning, problem solving, and project management skills.
• Take initiative, work independently, supervise staff and contribute as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with diverse constituencies, including After School Matters, funders, partners and South Side Schools.
• Recruit, train, evaluate and motivate high school students.
• Recruit, train, supervise, evaluate and motivate teaching artists.
• Establish local high school relationships and partnerships for student recruitment into programs. Set up and give presentations to local high schools.
• Manage conflict with grace and prudence and propose creative, win-win solutions. Must have the temperament to work with a diverse and demanding population.
• Must be self-directed and self-motivated, able to set goals and develop projects.
• Work collaboratively with university and non-university related entities to successfully deliver APL education programs.
• Strong computer skills.
• Experience in project planning working with university and/or higher education arts related programs.

Working Conditions

• Considerable office work including ability to sit and use computers for 6 to 8 hours. Standard office environment.
• Lift, push, pull, or carry supplies and furniture weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Walk up and downstairs.
• Bend, twist, reach, stand and/or sit for long periods of time.
• Travel to various campus and city locations.  
• Work a flexible schedule and travel to and from off-site locations.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Administration & Management

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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