Artistic Director

Artistic Director (Full-Time)

Role Summary: The Artistic Director will lead and oversee the artistic vision, direction, and execution of Artists in Public Schools projects. These roles involve collaborating with Chicago Public Schools and local artists to develop, coordinate, and execute projects that showcase the unique stories of each school. Additionally, the Artistic Director will oversee the exhibition and dissemination of these projects through various platforms, including local galleries, social media, and the Artists in Public Schools website. The Artistic Director will also be responsible for creating business plans and policies, facilitating residency review applications, and collaborating with other nonprofits, galleries, and artist programs.

Project Development and Coordination (30%)

+ Work with Chicago Public Schools to identify schools and develop project themes

+ Recruit and select local artists to participate in each project

+ Facilitate meetings between artists and schools to establish project goals and timelines

+ Provide artistic direction and guidance to artists throughout the project development process

+ Coordinate project logistics, including scheduling, budgeting, and supply acquisition

Artist Management and Partnerships (30%)

+ Facilitate residency review applications with the board or staff members/jury

+ Place artists into school districts and facilitate scheduling critiques with artists

+ Manage all aspects of artist residencies, including remitting payments, facilitating all-artist meetings, collection of artwork and contracted materials, CPS vendor status, and contract management with schools

Artistic Direction and Oversight (20%)

+ Lead the artistic vision and direction for each Artists in Public Schools project

+ Approve and collaborate with artists on all proposals and curriculum for partnerships with schools

+ Ensure all projects meet Artists in Public Schools standards for artistic quality and alignment with project goals

+ Ensure all projects are completed on time and within budget

Exhibition and Dissemination (10%)

+ Develop and implement strategies for exhibiting and disseminating Artistic in Public Schools projects

+ Coordinate the installation of projects in local libraries and other exhibition spaces

+ Coordinate with Marketing Director to manage the Artists in Public Schools website and social media accounts, ensuring all projects are showcased appropriately

Business Planning and Policies (10%)

+ Create business plans and policies for Artists in Public Schools in collaboration with the board and staff

+ Collect impact data from artists, schools, and partners for grant writing and funding to support Associate Director

Outreach and Collaboration (10%)

+ Brainstorm different outreach strategies to spread the word of Artists in Public Schools

+ Get in contact with curators to do studio visits with our artists

+ Collaborate with other nonprofits, galleries, and artist programs to promote Artists in Public Schools

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Arts Administration, or a related field ✦ 5+ years of experience in arts project management, with demonstrated success in leading large-scale projects ✦ Experience working with public schools or in education settings preferred ✦ Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills ✦ Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines ✦ Passion for promoting the arts and public education in Chicago ✦ Comfort with working independently and as part of a team. ✦ Knowledge of and passion for the arts and public education in Chicago.

Please send a resume and short cover letter in the body of your email to sophia@artistsinpublicschools.com

Artist-founded in 2017, Artists in Public Schools (formerly CPS Lives) was created by photographer Suzette Bross to integrate artists and cultural producers into CPS through paid artist residencies. Artists in Public Schools offers these artist residencies to CPS at zero-to-low cost, ensuring accessible collaboration between the artists, the students, and the school community. Since its inception, Artists in Public Schools has transformed public school environments into vibrant hubs of creativity, cultivating opportunities for professional, working, and emerging artists to connect with CPS students and faculty to create meaningful art experiences.