Community Program Manager & Grants Assistant | Staten Island Arts

Community Programs Manager

SIA is establishing a new position of Community Programs Manager. This staff member will play a lead role in supporting the work of Staten Island-based artists and nonprofit arts organizations by coordinating the organization’s services and developing programs and initiatives. This role will be part coordinator, part social justice advocate, and part programs curator working to establish free cultural programming developed in response to the needs and conditions of Richmond County. Programming will be a result of evaluation of the arts council’s most recent initiatives addressing racial and financial equity, creative placemaking, real estate development, disability, and audience development. 

The Community Programs Manager will maintain and develop relationships with local arts and community organizations as well as represent Staten Island with our city and statewide partners. Partnership development with key organizations and individuals, remaining current with issues facing the field, and finding creative ways to support artists and arts organizations are vital to the effectiveness of this position. 

The Community Programs Director reports to the Executive Director, supervises a seasonal part-time ArtSpace Assistant, and will be a key connector across departments, including Grants, Arts Education, Folklife, Marketing, and community partners across the borough and the city. 

Areas of Responsibility

Community-Based Programs:

  • Working with the Executive Director, Deputy Director and program leaders, support the organization’s programmatic intersections to ensure their long-term and deepening impact; 
  • SIA’s ArtSpace: Oversee the curation, programming and staffing of the organization’s community ArtSpace; 
  • Technical Assistance Initiatives: Coordinate and conduct workshops and networking opportunities for artists and arts organizations to support their professional development; 
  • Facilitate, moderate and lead focus groups and other public conversations that explore the intersection of the arts and communities, and the role that culture plays in community building and engagement; and 
  • Implementation of Public Art projects: manage and implement public art projects and events, dependent on funding and organization alignment with project goals. 

Community Partnerships:

The Community Programs Manager supports collaborative programs with individual artists, arts organizations, cultural entrepreneurs, social service organizations, for-profit businesses, and other community partners. Work in this area requires a commitment to arts advocacy and an affinity for working with a culturally and politically diverse community – and, specifically, an overt commitment to racial equity and inclusion. Responsibilities include: 

  • Maintain existing and develop new partnerships that utilize community resources with city, state and federal government agencies, elected officials, local developers and business owners, nonprofit organizations (both cultural and other), and other unaffiliated groups that support and enhance SIA’s mission and programs;
  • Provide support and information for artists and arts and community organizations to foster a supportive network; and 
  • Advise individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in making connections with artists and arts organizations. 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate has a background in project and/or program management. They are creative and flexible in their ability to lead projects that are responsive to the needs of stakeholders with varying perspectives, from multiple backgrounds. Emotional intelligence is of equal import to strategic thinking. They will be collaborative and comfortable both leading independently and working within the context of a small team environment. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career cultural organizer to contribute to an established organization in a time of significant growth. 

The candidate should possess the following demonstrated attributes and abilities:

  • Experience creating and managing public programs or initiatives; 
  • Be a generous, supportive public-facing collaborator and supervisor; 
  • Possess a high degree of cultural competency; 
  • Lead with curiosity with an eagerness to learn; 
  • Knowledge of NYC’s cultural movements, especially on Staten Island;
  • Project management skills, including creation and management of project plans with aligned goals, deliverables and reporting; budgeting and budget management; clear communication among project stakeholders; and coordination across multiple partners and formats;
  • Ability to prioritize assignments, delegate effectively, and function independently;
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; strong presentation skills;
  • Proficiency in multiple languages a plus; 
  • Computer savvy with broad knowledge of desktop and web applications (experience with spreadsheets; online workspaces, web and design software; and Patron Manager, or comparable CRM) and an ability to perform research; 
  • Technical competency and/or a willingness to learn; including simple lighting and Audio/Visual equipment; 
  • Ability to have a flexible schedule that includes the management of and attendance at evening and weekend events. 

Compensation

This is a full-time, year-round, salaried position, with an annual salary in the low $50,000 range, plus benefits including health insurance, paid vacation, and holidays. At this moment, most work at SIA continues to be done remotely with the intention to return to in-person work early fall 2021.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter that expresses your qualifications and interest in this position. Combine your cover letter and resume in one PDF and email to careers@statenislandarts.org, using the subject line “Community Programs Manager Position.” No Phone Calls, please. Applications accepted until the position is filled, with an anticipated early October start.

Grants Assistant

SIA is establishing a new position of Grants Assistant for its cornerstone cultural funding program. The Grants Assistant will support the administration of Staten Island Arts’ publicly funded re-granting programs for individual artists, collectives, and arts & cultural organizations. The ideal candidate will have a passion for supporting artists and cultural organizations, an active practice or background in art making, and a working understanding of the NYC cultural landscape. This position plays an integral role in the administration of a durational program, and is a terrific opportunity for an early-career cultural administrator to support an impactful organization in a significant time of growth. 

The Grants Assistant is a part-time position, working closely with and reporting to the Grants Administrator. This role will also work collaboratively across departments, and serve as a public-facing support role for Staten Island artists, collectives, and small arts organizations.

Key responsibilities 

  • Work closely with Grants Administrator, prospective applicants, and applicants in all aspects of the grant making process, including but not limited to: grant application seminars, grant writing, project budgeting, work sample creation, application draft reviews, and online submissions.
  • Provide support in the administration of panel deliberation meetings: work with Grants Administrator to ensure the proper dissemination of panel materials; nominate panelists; provide thorough note-taking at meetings.
  • Provide assistance with grant application vetting and review process.
  • Assist Grants Administrator throughout the grants process, including but not limited to: creation of contracts, review of final reports, advise on project issues, and social media/marketing assistance.
  • Help in the production of annual Grants awards ceremony and other grantee-focused events.

Qualifications 

  • Working knowledge of Staten Island’s vibrant arts and culture landscape.
  • Proficiency in reading comprehension and a basic understanding of grantmaking/writing.
  • Experience in cultural project management, either in a programmatic or support capacity.
  • Presentation and feedback skills.
  • Service-minded: curious, open, patient, communicative, and passionate about the necessity of engaging populations of varying cultures.
  • Strong computer and phone skills: Full MS Office suite, Adobe (Acrobat), social media, and online third party software.
  • Proficiency in a second language is a plus. 

Compensation

This is a part-time, year-round position, with a time commitment of 20 hours a week and an hourly rate of $25. Hours can be flexible and will include some evenings and weekends. At this moment, most work at SIA continues to be done remotely with the intention to return to in-person work fall 2021.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter that expresses your qualifications and interest in this position. Combine your cover letter and resume in one PDF and email to careers@statenislandarts.org, using the subject line “Grants Assistant Position.” No Phone Calls, please. Applications accepted until the position is filled, with an anticipated early October start.

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