Arts Education Administrator Position Opportunity: EDUCATION MANAGER
Bronx River Art Center, Inc (BRAC - www.bronxriverart.org) seeks a passionate arts education administrator to oversee our out-of-school time art education program at a critical moment in BRAC’s 36-year history. The successful candidate will oversee our unique interdisciplinary art and environmental studies program in our recently restored and fully equipped 18,000 sq. ft. facility. They will work as part of a team of program managers of our exhibitions, artist studios, performances and Makerspace programs to fulfill the needs of our community. This position requires the candidate to be committed to arts-based community activism and environmental justice, be ready and willing to work independently and as part of a team on interdisciplinary approaches to visual arts production, be familiar with the needs of underserved communities, particularly in the Bronx if possible, and be prepared to meet the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.
This is a full-time position, Tuesday - Saturday, which includes management of Saturday classes from 10:00am-6:00pm, as well as some evening and weekend assignments in the community. After a 4-month probation period and showing evidence of successful fulfillment of performance expectations, this position will become permanent and qualify for health benefits. We are seeking a candidate who is willing and able to commit to a long-term engagement of at least three years.
Salary: $48K -$54K annually + benefits based on experience.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume with a cover letter, up to five examples of your personal work or scholarship, and/or a link to your website, and samples of programs or projects produced in an arts education setting, by ______________to: Jobs@bronxriverart.org. No phone calls please. Professional references will be requested of final candidates. Position open until filled.
RESPONSIBILITIES
ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT
*Oversee the implementation of our interdisciplinary arts and environmental studies curricula throughout all facets of our education programs.
*Provide teacher support and assessment tools to track program development, and post regular updates to BRAC’s own Art and Environmental Studies Teachers’ Handbook.
*Oversee teaching artists’ performance, proper registration with DOE background checks and curriculum development.
*Schedule quarterly semesters of classes, including contracting teachers, scheduling of classes, media and days, and oversee the design and production of four quarterly brochure announcements of classes including mailing and distribution.
*Special attention to our signature design-based Teen Project Studio +2.0 (teens plus young adults to age 26) career development program.
*Prepare contracts and bi-weekly payroll for 10 – 12 teaching artists for each of four semesters annually.
*Maintain Eventbrite class fee payment site, update Education page on BRAC website quarterly, prepare and post press releases and post regularly to our social media pages.
*Oversee and maintain a file of regular photographic documentation of classes, workshops and events.
*Train support staff and interns in office and classroom assistant duties.
*Monitor digital data systems for student tracking, including attendance records, pre and post student evaluations, surveys, and academic records obtained from schools and/or parents.
*Maintain classrooms, studios, materials and equipment in good supply and clean working order.
*Work with the Executive Director to develop long-term goals for the Education Program and design strategies for reaching them.
OUTREACH
*Manage registration process for both in-center and off-site classes, including organization and design of class brochures and their distribution throughout the community and The Bronx
*Field inquiries for contracts from schools and other CBOs.
*Develop and maintain relationships with community partners, including monitoring of our programs and teachers at off-site schools and CBO’s.
*Prepare contracts and curriculum materials for bookings of workshops and gallery tours for school groups and CBOs.
*Work with the Executive Director and staff on research, development, write/edit program announcements, correspondence, budgets and narratives for grants and reports.
*Provide program records for monthly, quarterly, or annual reporting to funders.
*Coordinate BRAC students’ participation in community events including street and/or river festivals.
*Oversee production of 2 - 3 student exhibitions annually in our gallery, including design and distribution of exhibition announcements, installation, organizing reception and awards celebration.
REQUIREMENTS
*Bachelor’s Degree in visual arts administration, art history, fine arts studio practice or related fields required. Master’s Degree preferred.
*Minimum 4+ years experience in arts-based primary and secondary arts education and at least 3 years in non-profit arts administration (references required).
*Excellent verbal, writing, and interpersonal skills (conversant in Spanish a plus).
*Resourceful and flexible and able to work independently and as part of a team.
*Excellent time manager and able to multi-task projects and programs.
*Computer literate on Mac computers, MS Office applications and digital art programs including Adobe Creative Suite design software.
*Interest in ecological concerns for natural and urban environments.
*Familiarity with Bronx cultural and community institutions and schools a plus.
*Knowledge of the New York City Department of Education and Department of Youth and Community Development contracting a plus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
*Full-Time with benefits package after probation period.
*Reports to the Executive Director.
*Supervises teaching artists, program assistants, interns and volunteers.
*Salary: Commensurate with experience.
*Be prepared to manage the ongoing and fluctuations of COVID-19 safety guidelines.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume with a cover letter, up to five examples of your personal work or scholarship, and/or a link to your website, and samples of programs or projects produced in an arts education setting, by ______________to: Jobs@bronxriverart.org. No phone calls please. Professional references will be requested of final candidates. Position open until filled.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITY
CHECK BACK IN SPRING 2023 for NEW OPEN CALL FOR CURATORS
Open Call for BRAC Independent Curators
The Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) will be seeking applications from Independent Curators for its FY2024 Exhibitions Calendar (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). The selected curators will be responsible for contacting and sourcing all materials from artists, writing exhibition texts, and facilitating a public program. We encourage curatorial proposals by independent curators who are attuned to stretching boundaries and familiar with artists from The Bronx. This call for proposals aligns with our mission of supporting artists from underrepresented groups, such as women and artists of color and addressing relevant social and environmental issues. Further, we continue our commitment to present exhibitions in various media, including interdisciplinary practices that connect artists in The Bronx and beyond.
BRAC Exhibitions Program has become known for both its deft curatorial vision and its ability to produce ambitious, energetic exhibitions with ingenuity and immediacy. In recent years, we have exposed various paradigms of contemporary art to the litmus test of our local Bronx community and the cultural, economic, and social landscape that defines it. Our Exhibitions Program also provides a resource for artists and guest curators, by giving them a platform inside a reality that has not been fully acknowledged by traditional arts institutions.
Mission Statement:
Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) is a culturally diverse, multi-arts, non-profit organization that provides a forum for community, artists, and youth to transform creativity into vision. Our Education, Exhibitions, Artist Studios, and Presenting Programs cultivate leadership in an urban environment and stewardship of our natural resource — the Bronx River.
Please visit our website to view current and past exhibitions at: https://www.bronxriverart.org/gallery.cfm
GUIDELINES:
1. Proposals must be conceptually rigorous and focus on artists and themes in a way that is innovative, timely, challenging, and engaging.
2. We are looking for proposals that clearly demonstrate a unique and creative approach to curatorial research methods and innovative exhibition plans, as well as an awareness of various art media within an historical context.
3. Guest Curators should not include their own work in the exhibition they are proposing.
4. Bronx River Art Center strongly encourages applications that expand our mission and contribute to our ongoing commitment to emerging artists, social and environmental justice, and advocacy for artists.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Please attach the following Information as a Word or PDF document and send by email to: opencall@bronxriverart.org with subject heading Curator Open Call
-
A detailed exhibition proposal (concept paper) with your name, address, phone number and email address, of up to 500 words that includes a curatorial statement, exhibition goals and objectives, any technical requirements, and a preliminary list of artists with a checklist of images, and indicate whether these artists have been confirmed. We additionally encourage the proposal of a public program and/or community workshops (date and time to be determined if your proposal is selected)
-
5 - 10 image samples. This does not have to be a final image check-list, just a grouping of artworks that illustrate your exhibition idea.
-
A Curator’s CV.
-
Three professional references (names and contact info) describing previous curatorial work/projects and/or research experience.
SELECTION PROCESS:
The Submission deadline is TO BE ANNOUNCED SPRING 2023.
Applicants can submit anytime, but they will not be reviewed until Spring 2023.
Finalists will be contacted for a virtual or safe in-person interview before selections are announced. Please do not submit original materials. All applications will be kept on our files for future reference. For technical inquiries email: opencall@bronxriverart.org.
*No phone calls inquiring about the status of your submission, please.
ABOUT BRAC
The Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) is a 34-year-old community-based, multi-arts organization located in the heart of The Bronx at the major transportation hub of West Farms Square, three blocks south of the Bronx Zoo. Because of our unique location next to our namesake — the Bronx River — an important natural resource in the heart of the Bronx, we were one of the first interdisciplinary art and environmental studies organizations in the country to incorporate environmental concerns and urban design into our visual arts curriculum. In our recently restored, 18,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility we offer four interlocking programs: after-school and weekend visual arts classes for both youth and adults, a ground floor, 2,000 sq. ft. gallery featuring professionally curated contemporary art exhibitions, artist studios, a co-working space for emerging and mid-career creative entrepreneurs; and a multi-purpose event space featuring an array of performing arts and cultural events. BRAC meets the cultural needs and artistic opportunities of a multi-ethnic community in the south-central Bronx, as well as for the larger cultural community of New York City.
BRAC is conveniently located at a transportation hub one block east of the East Tremont/West Farms Square stop on the #s 2 and 5 subway lines. Our area is also accessed by six bus lines and three highways
Opportunities
Internship:
Interns assist the Executive Director, the Education Director, the Gallery Director, Staff, and Teachers in all projects at the Bronx River Art Center, including teaching preparation and classroom instruction, administrative tasks, exhibition installations, and other assigned duties. Enthusiasm for working in a multi-ethnic community is a must.
Qualifications: College students pursuing a degree in Fine Arts, Visual Media Arts, Arts Management, or Art Education. Interns assisting with media classes should have experience operating filmmaking equipment and knowledge of Final Cut Pro. Junior level or above preferred. Good writing skills, computer literacy, and graphic design or internet skills are desirable.
Days/hours required: To be arranged. 10 to 20 hours per week. BRAC is open Monday through Friday, from 10am-6:30pm, and Saturday, from 10am-5pm. After-school classes begin at 4:30pm.
How to Apply: Please send your resume and a brief cover letter explaining what type of internship you are interested in and why you want to intern with BRAC to info@bronxriverart.org.
Questions? Call us at 718-589-5819.
Volunteer:
Are you interested in donating your valuable time to helping some of the most talented youth in the Bronx?
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available at BRAC:
- Cataloging and Archiving
- Classroom Monitors
- Education Programs Assistants
- Entrance Monitors
- Fundraising Committee
- Student Exhibition Assistants
- Website/Newsletter Team
Please contact us at info@bronxriverart.org or 718-589-5819 for more information about internships or volunteer opportunities. Thank you!