Manager of Creative and Public Engagement at the Denver Art Museum

Job Title: Manager of Creative and Public Engagement

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Denver, CO

Salary:  $55,000 – $63,000

Description

POSITION PURPOSE:

This position reports to the Associate Director of Creative & Public Engagement in the Learning & Engagement department.

As a part of the Creative & Public Engagement team, the Manager is responsible for developing and managing key interactive programmatic spaces that encourage all ages to explore the creative process. This individual will contribute to the advancement of the Museum’s efforts to be a vital, vibrant, and relevant part of the creative ecosystem of Denver. A successful candidate will be committed to supporting DAM’s mission of being a place where creativity and creative practice thrive.

To best serve our current and future audiences, we strive to maximize the diversity, equity, and inclusiveness of our organization. Candidates committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness are encouraged to apply.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and implement programs and activities that inspire visitors’ creativity in two participatory museum spaces. These spaces include the Hamilton Studio, a yearly rotating Studio designed for visitors of all ages to spark their creativity, connect with Denver’s creative community, and get a new perspective on the artistic process in the Creative Hub, a mixed-use space in the heart of the Learning & Engagement Center designed to foster community, creativity, and connection.

  • Consistently use the DAM’s Racial Equity Lens in day-to-day operations.
  • Set yearly goals to support the DAM’s Racial Equity Roadmap initiatives.
  • Develop interpretive plan for each Studio rotation and Creative Hub activity rotation.
  • Design self-guided activities and generate all related text.
  • Oversee installation and implementation of the design and activities.
  • Work with contract designer, exhibitions department, and facilities department to deliver design, infrastructure, layout, and organization of space.
  • Collaborate with creative community to develop and inform activities.
  • Collaborate with Volunteer Manager to create systems and structures for volunteers to support these spaces.
  • Develop training and maintenance guides for these spaces.

Manage artist demonstration program in the Hamilton Studio.

  • Identify, contract, and schedule artists to develop yearly demo calendar.
  • Oversee all onsite logistics required for smooth implementation of program.
  • Work with the Registrar department to develop and implement loan protocols for exhibiting artists’ work.
  • Develop communication content to promote demo program.

Manage and cultivate the team of Creative Engagement Associates.

  • Hire, onboard, train, and schedule part-time and flex positions, 4-5 staff members.
  • Work with Creative & Public Engagement division to support Associates’ working across the division including operating and implementing: the Hamilton Studio, the Creative Hub, Untitled: Artist Takeover, Creative Classes for adults, and other artist delivered programs.
  • Collaborate with managers in the Visitor Operations and Visitor Services departments to create policy and practices that support front facing roles across the museum.
  • Oversee performance reviews and merit increases.

Working closely with the Learning & Engagement Operations Coordinator, make decisions on how the space is utilized for internal and external events and programs including hosted community groups.

  • Work with Learning & Engagement teams and Events department to support programmatic usage of space.
    • Oversee Community Spotlight program, a rotating community showcase on view in the Creative Hub. Work in collaboration with the Lifelong Learning & Accessibility team, as well as across the department, to develop a yearly calendar of spotlights.
    • Develop systems for installation and layout of spotlight, serve as primary point person, and support all logistics on install and deinstall of showcases.
    • Work with Associate Director to envision future of program to support community submissions and further access to support building and sustaining relationships with community partners.
    • Oversee other collaborative projects with artists, as needed.
    • Develop and implement public programming approach with artists.
  • Collaborate with other Learning & Engagement staff to maximize programing usage for audiences (e.g., family programs, teacher initiatives, summer groups, etc.).

OTHER RESPONSIBILTIES INCLUDE:

  • Work in collaboration with Marketing & Communications department to develop promotional strategies and content for all above programs. Serve as spokesperson for these programs.
  • Build and sustain relationships with artists and creatives to ensure our programming includes diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences.
  • Collaborate with Creative & Public Engagement team to develop and implement Creative Convenings, a program offering that gathers creatives and provides opportunities for networking, connecting, and project sharing. Additionally, Creative Convenings is a program offering that invites artists to co-create programs that bring creatives and the public together.
  • Conduct informal and formal evaluation of programs, activities, and functionality of spaces from visitors, artists, and community members; use lessons learned to iterate on systems, functionality of space, and activities.
  • Work with Associate Director to create and manage related budgets and timelines for all above programs.
  • Interface with Events, Security and Facilities, Visitor Services, Communications, and Exhibition departments when planning and implementing programs.
  • Support Creative & Public Engagement team by working the quarterly Untitled: Artist Takeover program (last Friday night of January, April, July, and October).
  • Serve as Department representative on museum-wide committees as assigned.
  • Maintain statistics for programs; provide documentation for grants as needed.
  • Manage other projects as assigned.

QUALIFICIATIONS:

  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience working in areas of program development, management of multi-use spaces, and overseeing a complex suite of programs or other comparable projects
  • Experience in designing intergenerational programming and hands-on activities.
  • Experience in program development, specifically working on collaborative projects with artists.
  • Key relationships with a diverse group of Colorado based artists and creative community or experience building and sustaining a network of artists.
  • Experience working with a variety of audiences, including adults and families.
  • Experience supervising staff, interns, and volunteers.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

  • Skilled in networking and cultivating relationships.
  • Knowledge and understanding of creative processes and materials.
  • Spanish Bilingual speaking skills preferred to best support Spanish speaking Creative Engagement Associates in the delivery of program.
  • Ability to be a strong team player, and to work in collaboration with stakeholders internally and externally.
  • Ability to work with a variety of people on simultaneous projects.
  • Ability to solve problems as they arise and to take initiative.
  • Facilitation skills for small and large groups.
  • Knowledge and/or experience with informal learning settings.
  • Strong customer service skills.
  • Strong organizational, communications, and analytical skills with an eye for detail.
  • Strong communication and writing skills.
  • Strong commitment to creating effective, enjoyable art experiences at the museum for diverse audiences.
  • Using common office applications (MS Office: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams)

EDUCATION OR FORMAL TRAINING:

  • B.A. degree or comparable experience working in cultural organizations focused on connecting the community to creativity and the arts is required.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

The DAM prioritizes adaptability and a human-centered work environment.  We are happy to consider adjustments to job responsibilities to ensure the right candidate will be successful.

  • Some weekend days and after hours are required.

Compensation: The hiring salary range for the position is $55,000-$63,000 based on experience.

Benefits: A comprehensive medical/dental/vision plan, that can be extended to domestic partner, spouse, and children. DAM 100% paid Life Insurance, and Short/Long Term Disability. Generous sick and vacation paid time off and one personal day. Ten paid holidays. 403(b) Retirement Plan with immediate eligibility to contribute and those who meet the requirements will qualify for the 3% non-elective contribution and 2% match program. A free DAM Family Membership. Free Telehealth and Employee Assistance Program. Access to Headspace. Two weeks Paid Parental Leave. This position is based at the Denver Art Museum, which only has pay to park options, all employees are eligible to receive a free RTD Eco Pass.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. We know there is no such thing as a “perfect” candidate—nor do we look for the right “fit” with us, we look for the add! We encourage you to apply for a role at the Denver Art Museum even if you do not meet 100% of the bullet points. We believe in cultivating an environment where there is diversity of perspectives, in hopes that we can all thrive in an inclusive environment.

We know that searching for a job can be stressful so we would like to give you an overview of the process to manage expectations. The application asks for written responses to questions that will be used to pre-screen candidates. If selected, first-round interviews will be via video with the hiring panel. For those selected, second-round interviews will be in-person, multi-hour to meet with the hiring panel and team members with whom this role regularly interfaces. This position will close on September 18th and we plan to contact qualified applicants shortly thereafter. Our desire is to hire a candidate by November 15, 2023. Please only apply through DAM career website here, no other applications will be accepted. 

The Denver Art Museum:

As an institution, we believe the Denver Art Museum is both a platform for and an amplifier of the voices of people of all races. We acknowledge that Black lives matter and communities of color – Latinx, Indigenous, Black, and others – have been underrepresented in art museums over decades, both internally and externally. We are committed to elevating all voices, artworks and perspectives and strive to support racial equity inside and out.

We prohibit discrimination against any person or organization based on age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, political service or affiliation, genetic information, or disability, as well as any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

We strive to provide a professional and positive work environment for our employees. The Museum expressly prohibits any form of employee harassment on the basis of age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, political service or affiliation, genetic information, disability or any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local law.  Actions based on these or any legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated.

We encourage the freedom of gender expression and/or gender presentation.  As an institution, we do not create barriers that may prevent any employee from expressing behaviors, mannerisms, interests, and appearances that represent their authentic personality or culture. Qualified candidates are expected to exemplify the DAM’s internal values, which include being dynamic, respectful, inclusive, creative, and curious.  The ability to maintain effective and positive working relationships with visitors, employees, volunteers, representatives of public and private entities, policy making bodies, and contractors is critical to the success of this position.

The Museum believes vaccination is an important measure to protect the health and safety of everyone from significant illness due to COVID-19 infection. As a condition of employment, employees must present proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on their first day of employment or receive an exemption or other reasonable accommodation due to circumstances protected under federal or state law that prevent the employee from being vaccinated. Employees are also mandated to receive a booster within 6 months of being fully vaccinated.