Assistant Public Art Director

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact – The work you do here matters to millions.
• Growth – Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
• Diversity & Inclusion – Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits – We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) closes the gap in access to quality cultural experiences and creative expression through the support and promotion of arts, culture and the creative industries; connects Philadelphians to enriching, arts-infused experiences; links local artists and cultural organizations to resources and opportunities; and preserves the City’s public art assets.

Job Description

OACCE seeks a full-time Assistant Public Art Director who will assist and support the Public Art Director and the Chief Cultural Officer on various initiatives within the City of Philadelphia’s Public Art program such as the commissioning of permanent public art projects, and developing programs centered around the City’s public art collection. The City of Philadelphia’s public art collection is one of the City’s greatest assets. Located in indoor and outdoor spaces throughout every neighborhood in the city, Philadelphia’s public art reflects its rich history, diverse communities, and long-standing commitment to the arts. The Assistant Public Art Director is critical in the process to administer the Percent for Art Ordinance, section 16-103 of the Philadelphia Code, and ensuring that Philadelphia’s public art commissions reflect the diversity of Philadelphia’s residents and visitors and its rich cultural landscape.

Work-Life

Working hours are generally 37.5 hours per week. Our team is currently hybrid, working three days from home and two days in the office. Staff can opt to work in the office each day if desired. Hybrid work is contingent on MDO guidance and policies.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Percent for Art Program – Assist with managing all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the City’s Percent for Art Program and coordinate with Percent for Art Project Managers on all tasks to facilitate successful, site specific public art projects at City owned sites, including drafting the Call for Artists, managing communications with project committees and partner organizations, communicating with artists, and coordinating with various City operating departments. Speak at public meetings or workshops, both in-person and virtual, to share information about the Percent for Art Program and about specific public art opportunities with Philadelphia’s diverse communities.
• Special Projects –Assist with managing special public art projects as assigned to OACCE such as commissioning of public artworks, exhibits and other projects outside of the Percent for Art program as assigned.
• Conservation and Collection Management – Assist the Public Art Director on the conservation, restoration and collection management of the City of Philadelphia’s 1000+ works of public art. Assist with updating and maintaining the City’s database of public artworks. Coordinate and manage the work of outside conservators who provide conservation and maintenance services to the city.
• Donation Management – Assist the Public Art Director on administering the policies and processes related to proposed donations of public art, memorials, and monuments to the City of Philadelphia and guide potential donors through the public art donation process for placing art on public property.
• Communications – Assist the Public Art Director and the Community Engagement & Communications Manager on fostering the relationship between Philadelphians and the City’s public art collection through public engagement and communications efforts.
• Administration – Generate documents for meetings, internal and external communications, and reports for all Public Art related functions. Assist with creating templates and tools to enhance administrative and project management efficiency across projects.
• Data Management – Maintain and update project notes and program files, track metrics and performance measures related to Public Art on a timely and consistent basis for internal and external reporting. Update and manage all data tracking excel spreadsheets for the Public Art program.
• Complete other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience with arts related project management and organizing projects with many stakeholders and partners,
• Passionate about public engagement and comfortable with public speaking and managing public discourse in diverse communities,
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, self motivated and creative,
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and digital),
• Experience with leading and organizing meetings with diverse communities or in urban settings,
• High level of Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint,
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite is a plus,
• Familiarity with digital marketing tools such as Mailchimp, Canva, and WordPress,
• Familiarity with form builders or survey tools such as Cognito, Survey Monkey, Submittable, Google Forms,
• Proactive, self-directed, teachable, and show an enthusiasm to take on new projects,
• Ability to multi-task and monitor multiple projects simultaneously,
• Ability to effectively work under pressure to meet deadlines,
• Capacity to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Qualifications

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent educational experience is required. Experience with community outreach and engagement is a plus. Knowledge of Philadelphia arts and culture sector is a plus. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience in arts administration, arts-related project management, arts education, or other related public facing work.

Additional Information

DEADLINE TO APPLY: January 20, 2023. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, 3 samples of arts related projects you have managed, and 2 writing samples (1 page each) to [email protected] with Email Subject “Assistant Public Art Director.” Phone calls will not be accepted.

Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Please note that effective September 1, 2021 the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: https://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx
City of Philadelphia