Overview

The Visual Arts and Community Outreach Manager will work in collaboration with the Director of the Division of Arts as well as Salt Lake City Arts Council staff to facilitate, design, initiate, and implement cultural arts projects, programs, and initiatives. Based at the historic Finch Lane Gallery, the position will manage the well-established visual arts program, as well as provide leadership and work with staff to develop new and growing initiatives, partnerships, events, and outreach that are cross-disciplinary in nature. This team member will also act as a community liaison in convening and networking to help artists and arts organizations, and the public to build capacity and increase the City’s infrastructure to support the arts.

This position will include management of some public relations and marketing efforts for the programs; program budget, including planning and, tracking of income and expenses; the ability to collaborate on grant writing and reporting; and providing information and technical assistance as needed, to artists, arts organizations, and the general public. Exercise of discretion and independent judgment is required to perform assigned duties.

The mission of the Arts Council is to promote, present, and support artists, arts organizations, and arts activities in order to further the development of the arts community and to benefit the public by expanding awareness, access, and participation. The Salt Lake City Arts Council was established by City ordinance in 1976. The Arts Council’s home is the Art Barn in Reservoir Park. It is a division in the Department of Economic Development that maintains a nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status. Art Council programs include Living Traditions, Twilight Concert Series, Finch Lane Gallery & Holiday Craft Market, Brown Bag Concert Series, Literary Arts Programs, Public Art Program, City Arts Grants. The Arts Council also fulfill various other roles such as technical assistance, education, professional development, marketing, incubation, and convening.

Responsibilities

• Develops and directs all aspects of art programs as assigned and as they apply to the Arts Council of Salt Lake City
• Supports the Board of Directors and various committees in the development and implementation of policy and programs.
• Researches various artists and conducts artist selection and review processes. Contacts artists/agents, determines availability, negotiates, prepares and processes artist contracts
• Manages public relations and marketing efforts for the programs including writing press releases, working with media sponsors (interviews), writing articles for press and newsletters, arranging for other publicity and marketing, etc. Works with marketing staff to develop content and outreach strategies.
• Manages the budget, including planning, and tracking of income and expenses for all assigned programs.
• Represents the Arts Council in a professional capacity at the local, regional, state and national level.
• Provides information and technical assistance, as requested, to artists, arts organizations, and the general public.
• Supervises season and part-time contract employees and volunteers, as well as manages active contracts with participating vendors.
• Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration, or a closely related field, plus four years’ professional experience in arts administration, at a public or private arts agency or organization. Experience and education may be substituted, one for the other, on a year-for-year basis.
• General knowledge of art disciplines, best practices, trends, and community engagement in the arts.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• This position is highly public-facing in nature involves a high level of community outreach. It is preferred that the applicant can communicate well verbally, is a skilled active listener, is sociable, and has a high level of interpersonal skills.
• Grant writing and reporting experience is preferred. Works with the staff to identify grant opportunities and collaborates or applications and reporting.
• Proficient use of PC/and or MAC computers and experience within the Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel). Basic administrative skills contact record management skills a plus.