Program Director
WHO WE ARE:
SkyART is a permanent fixture in the vibrant cultural landscape of Chicago's South Side. Founded in 2001 with a mission to provide youth with an accessible, safe place to participate in quality visual arts programs at no cost, SkyART continues to fulfill its mission in South Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods, reaching young people through a rich variety of programs. In 2020, SkyART announced the expansion to Chicago’s West Side. Driving its mission, is a deep understanding of the transformative power of art and its capacity to enhance intellectual, emotional, and social development. SkyART is a foundation from which creativity grows and individuals flourish. Participants are invited into a world of imaginative possibilities and connections that go beyond the individual, to positively impact all of the communities where we work and the city as a whole. With art at the center of everything we do, SkyART provides free, safe, open spaces where young people are empowered and connections are made.
Our work is guided by these core concepts:
Accessibility – we remove barriers – promoting participation in our programs, connection with other institutions and communities, and access to the broader world.
Responsiveness – we innovate – adapting programs to the evolving context within which we work, fostering civic engagement, cultural democracy, and social wellbeing.
Totality – we are committed to reaching the whole person – recognizing that every participant has a unique life experience characterized by their own needs, assets, and interests.
Stability – we are a consistent presence – the “third place” after home and school, where participants develop meaningful relationships and experience a feeling of extended family.
WHAT WE DO:
Through interdisciplinary, process-based projects, skill-building workshops, and large-scale collaborations, SkyART encourages critical thinking and inspires creative expression for youth ages 7 to 24. In 2020 SkyArt also began offering Art Therapy for Chicago youth. Using an artist-in-residence model, Teaching Artists and Art Therapists work side by side with participants, in an atmosphere of mutual esteem and shared curiosity, through our dynamic and experimental methodology, the SkyWAY. Our programs include after-school and Saturday programs at our studios; classroom and after-school programs at partnering schools, and programs ranging from one-day workshops to multi-week courses offered in coordination with organizations such as city parks and libraries, as well as other non-profit program partners.
HOW YOU CONTRIBUTE:
The Director of Programs (DoP) represents the vision, values, and mission of SkyART internally and externally. The DoP is a member of the senior leadership team and manages all program staff. The DoP establishes the organization’s programmatic vision and strategies in partnership with the Executive Director. The DoP is responsible for ensuring the vibrancy of existing programs and generating new programmatic initiatives. The DoP ensures that the SkyWAY methodology is integrated across studio, school, and community programs by program staff and is upheld across the organization. This position reports directly to the Executive Director.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program strategy and leadership (70%)
Develop and provide oversight for comprehensive program goals
Provide strategy and direction for all SkyART programs and ensure successful implementation against established goals
Provide oversight and direction for training and developing a strong, consistent cohort of teaching artists for the SkyART Studios, schedule programs and ensure teachers are working in concert to advance the mission of the organization.
Design and oversee execution of teaching artist training, including coaching through goal-setting, curriculum development, and implementation of lesson plans.
Promote diversity and inclusion across all programs; oversee training to increase cultural sensitivity and understanding of populations served by SkyART.
Oversee exhibitions, ensuring they reflect the rigor of SkyART Studio programming
Staff supervision, evaluation, and relationship stewardship (20%)
Oversee program manager(s) to ensure recruitment, training, and relationship development with support staff, teaching artists, and participants in all programs.
Build strong evaluative models and ensure continuity and evaluation of programs including goal setting and strategies for continuous improvement.
Evaluate and improve overall program effectiveness on the basis of participation and achievement of stated goals; recommend modifications to improve program performance
Steward and oversee organizational partnerships.
Write, review, and edit program related statements, proposals, and marketing materials; create and oversee implementation of curriculum.
Represent SkyART at conferences, funder visits, and in donor meetings, etc. as requested by the Executive Director.
Leadership and Strategy (10%)
Represent SkyART externally to raise the organization’s profile and facilitate strategic partnerships.
Actively promote the agency’s mission, vision and values.
Participate in strategic and annual work planning.
Stay abreast of relevant changes in socio-economic factors that may affect programming decisions and communicate to senior staff.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s degree preferred
Minimum of three years as a supervisor; relevant leadership experience in non profit or arts education/advocacy
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Experience designing, creating curriculum, and facilitating participatory processes and programs
Strong project management, research, and organizational capabilities
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
Knowledge of art and art history
Ability to work within a small collaborative environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Strong attention to detail
Ability to work autonomously and make informed, thoughtful decisions
Bilingual Spanish a plus
WHAT WE OFFER:
SkyART offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a competitive salary commensurate with background, experience, and position responsibilities. Depending on the position, in addition to salary, benefits for eligible employees may include:
Paid time off (PTO) allowance including two weeks vacation, five personal days, and five sick days per year
Eleven paid holidays and one additional day off for your birthday
Employee retirement account with up to 3% contribution from SkyART
Health Insurance benefits with minimal cost paid by employee
How You Apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume to: directorcandidates@skyart.org with "Program Director” in the subject line. Be sure to include your first and last name along with contact information in the body of the email. Do not mail or fax. Incomplete applications will not be accepted
Equal Opportunity Employer
SkyART is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SkyART does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
