Art Education Rec Program and Project Manager at the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program

Job Title: Art Education Rec Program and Project Manager

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Salary: $50,000 – USD $55,000


Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For over 35 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts Philadelphia exists to provide transformative experiences, progressive discourse, and economic stimulus to the City of Philadelphia.

Through participatory public art, Mural Arts Philadelphia inspires change in people, place, and practice, creating opportunity for a more just and equitable Philadelphia.

Mural Arts seeks candidates who value and demonstrate the following core competencies: committed problem solving, deep thinking and fearless creation, inquisitive learning, thoughtful communication, mindful collaboration, personal accountability, and a commitment to actively prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace.

Mural Arts Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is seeking a Rec Program and Project Manager for its Art Education department, which serves over 2,000 opportunity youth annually through in and out-of-school programming at 25+ sites across the city. The ideal candidate will have a background in youth education, strong facilitation and partnership-building skills. They will also be a big picture thinker with an innovative, community-minded artistic practice and demonstrated commitment to the linkage of art and project-based learning for young people, ages 10-22. The Rec Program and Project Manager will work directly with the Director of Art Education.

The Art Education Rec Program and Project Manager oversees work in recreation sites developing projects in partnership with the Rec Crew and our Restorative Justice Program.

Our newest initiative is a deep partnership with Parks and Recreation and provides artistic enhancement to after school programming at Rec Centers throughout Philadelphia that culminates in a mural for the exterior of 6 centers over two years.

Site Management

  • Coordinate and facilitate planning meetings with teaching artists, rec staff and RJ crew on a regular basis.
  • Ensure program quality at Art Education classrooms through regular site visits; cultivating and managing strong relationships with site partners; and assisting with site and student recruitment, application, and selection process.
  • Collect legal documentation from site partners including contracts and certificates of liability.
  • Maintain and support classroom

 Program Management

  • Guide and develop a team of teaching artists dedicated to fulfilling the goals of the Art Education program.
  • Facilitate professional development for the classroom teachers and teaching artists as a group.
  • Ensure program quality at after school classrooms through regular site visits.
  • Manage the budget and finances for the program and rec center projects.
  • Collaborate on program-related marketing and public relations efforts with assistance from the Communications/Public Engagement department.
  • Assist with documentation and evaluation of program.
  • Ensure program consistently in alignment with grant requirements, and working with the Development department on interim and final reports and funder site visits.

 Project Management

  • Create dynamic, innovative quality art projects in collaboration with the MAP leadership, teaching artists, contracted artists and students.
  • Ensure that projects are integrated into the project based learning curriculum.
  • Connect with the larger contemporary art scene locally, nationally and internationally to maintain knowledge of current developments in the field of socially engaged art and to generate a pool of artists to source for projects.
  • Identify, initiate, and pursue new programmatic and project opportunities in collaboration with the leadership of the program.
  • Oversee the budget management of the art education projects.
  • Develop and maintain positive relationships with Mural Arts’ partners.
  • Supervision and mentoring responsibilities as appropriate.
  • Facilitate production of all art education projects, from conception through completion, including: oversight of contracts with artists and sub-contractors, site identification and securing of all necessary authorizations and permits; design review and approval of artwork; coordination and supervision of each project’s artist and/or artistic team; coordination of ordering, distribution and tracking of all project supplies and equipment.
  • Create and monitor project timelines.
  • Coordinate community outreach and events, including community meetings, paint days, and dedications.
  • Formally present designs and describe projects to community stakeholders independently, and with artists when their schedules permit.
  • Coordinate all art education project documentation, including images of final design, finished project, and written descriptions.
  • Contribute to evaluation of and reporting to funders on project outcomes.
  • Represent artists when artists are not available, in design review meetings and other convenings as necessary.
  • Collaborate with program staff to facilitate professional development for teaching faculty.
  • Provide enriching feedback and tactful critique on tentative designs, considering project goals and youth engagement.

Department and Mural Arts Program Support

  • Serve as an ambassador for the Mural Arts Program through positive interactions with the public during trolley tours, fundraising events and important occasions.
  • Cultivate relationships with guest speakers and other experts in the field who can be resources for faculty.
  • Support the art education department by sharing resources, sharing updates, supporting labs, meeting regularly and supporting project related events. Support opportunities for collaboration, such as the Youth Pipeline, student scholarship opportunities and summer internships.

Education & Experience

  • Four-year degree in arts administration, art education or equivalent experience and knowledge. Advanced degree preferred.
  • At least 3-5 years of experience working with youth in communities of color and opportunity youth populations in an in-school and/or out-of-school setting, including development of project-based curriculum and lesson plans.

 Skills & Requirements

  • Knowledge of various arts education pedagogy – arts infusion, arts integration, project-based learning.
  • Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care, Restorative Practice and Youth Mental Health.
  • Knowledge and background in public, contemporary art, and/or muralism preferred.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong supervisory and public presentation skills.
  • Ability to work in a collaborative team-oriented environment, problem-solve, manage multiple tasks, and respond quickly to requests.
  • Ability to develop and maintain relationships and partnerships in multiple communities and contexts.
  • Understanding of Systemic and Institutional Racism with Pro-Justice focus
  • Ability to work in multiple settings with respect and humility, ie: Non-English dominant spaces, Queer and LGBTQ spaces, cultural and spiritual spaces and navigating gender assigned spaces.
  • Understanding that intersectionality exists and that we need to meet people where they are and hold space for dialogue on privilege and power.
  • High level of organization.
  • Aptitude to perform in confidential situations.
  • Computer proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, data management, web/internet utilization. Graphic software experience such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator a plus.
  • Update-to-date Child Abuse, FBI and Criminal clearances.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, such as evenings or weekends.

This job description is a summary of the duties of the above position. Other related duties may be required by the supervisor. 

Anticipated start date: August 2023

For more information, call 215-685-0750 or visit muralarts.org.

Follow us on social media: @muralarts on Twitter and Instagram, MuralArtsPhiladelphia on Facebook, and phillymuralarts on YouTube.

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