Director of Arts

Institutional Summary
Creative Discovery Museum (CDM) is a nationally recognized nonprofit childrens museum serving as the gateway to downtown Chattanooga Tennessee. Since 1995 CDM has served as a leader in hands-on play-based learning experiences that inspire exploration innovation creativity and play through the arts sciences and cultural understanding. CDM connects families through joyful learning and shared discovery engaging children of all ages and abilities through museum visits education programs camps and other immersive events. The Museum is committed to accessibility and inclusion creating a safe and welcoming environment for every visitor. Team members at CDM contribute to a dynamic mission-driven workplace rooted in our values of belonging potential relationships respect and exceptional service.

Occupational Summary
The Director of Arts drives the museums Arts program by developing and implementing strategies to ensure high-quality guest and partner experiences. The ideal candidate has skills in program and strategy development team management and relationship building with diverse stakeholders. This team leader supports and furthers the museums vision for the Arts through a robust well-rounded and culturally responsive holistic Arts program that includes a wide variety of mediums techniques artforms and cultural dimensions by collaborating with internal staff and external community stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Program

an Arts programming plan to support CDMs Vision for the Arts (see document) collaborating with staff and stakeholders to represent Chattanoogas vibrant arts community.

a robust exciting holistic CDM Arts program that is a model of best practices in informal arts education and engages guests through a wide variety of activities performances demonstrations etc.

and evaluates the programming plan and activities to ensure guest expectations and budget outcomes are met.

the guidance of the VP of Education ensure the Arts Program meets the museums Interpretive Framework for guest engagement.

and Curation:

exciting and engaging Arts programming to support and enhance:

experiences for students teachers and general admission guests.

programming in schools community centers and partner locations.

Performing Arts Visual Arts Media Arts and Culinary Arts experiences.

Arts programs for learners of all ages.

professional artists including plans for resulting art works.

events including those lead through the Arts program and other departments

related to permanent and traveling exhibitions.

different cultures through the arts.

Leadership:

the Art Studio visual arts museum studio including supervision of the Art Studio Coordinator.

for engaging guests with daily arts experiences at Creation Station (museums walk-up art table in the Atrium). Guides participation of the Museum Experience Arts Lead position with this space and activity development.

of the Education department Leadership Team.

and supports museum staff with Arts program facilitation and at Arts-based public events.

a visible presence weekly on the museum floor making themselves available to team members as needed.

and Communication:

closely with other departments such as exhibits marketing & communications development and operations to ensure the artistic vision is supported communicated and integrated into the organization.

-person for Arts programming and events including setting the planning meeting schedule developing agendas facilitating planning meetings event facilitation and following up to ensure high-quality experiences.

the exhibits department ideate plan and execute arts-related exhibitions partnerships and projects as needed. Serves as a thought partner and recommender for ArtSpace gallery in the museum.

Engagement:

CDM and CDM Arts Program to the public engaging with guests volunteers artists and fostering relationships with community partners and stakeholders.

and cultivates relationships with artists and cultural groups that result in high-quality distinctive Arts programming; including relationship management requests for proposals and collaborative planning cycles for artist residencies scheduling and creating guest artist programs and managing contracts.

teams members as requested with artists to support shared goals and projects at the museum.

in the Arts in our community region and the museum field contributing to CDMs relevance and reputation as a thought leader; including but not limited to attending and/or presenting at conferences on behalf of CDM and contributing to the field in the form of articles white papers panelist etc.

Management:

in collaboration with the VP of Education and oversee the annual budget for the Arts Program ensuring resources are allocated effectively and projects are completed within timelines and budgets.

and provide as requested reports on Arts programs including expenses related to specific projects and activities attendance data and survey/guest feedback collected.

Support:

with the Development department to provide Arts program information (as requested) to secure financial support for Arts initiatives and programs

and share discovered funding and grant opportunities with the Development department acting as a knowledgeable collaborator

Knowledge Skills and Abilities Required
Knowledge of visual and performing arts history content and techniques. Functional knowledge of culinary arts and developing knowledge of media arts.
Ability to create engaging fun programs and activities that are accessible by a wide range of ages and audiences pursuant to CDMs Vision for the Arts (see document)
Knowledge of best practices in informal art education particularly in relation to the developmental levels of children.
Knowledge and/or awareness of diverse cultural arts related traditions with eagerness to steward relationships and learn from others with first-hand experience. Ability to build a culturally- responsive and competent holistic Arts Program.
Ability to communicate effectively with oral written and visual directions to an audience of staff guests and community stakeholders. Ability to write effectively about the holistic Arts Program for grant applications (as requested).
Demonstrated skills in project management budgeting and meeting deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team setting engaging colleagues in the creative process and meeting group deadlines. Ability to develop and provide tools to facilitate the process (meeting agendas checklists meeting schedules)
Demonstrate ability to motivate and inspire others to grow a high-quality distinctive and robust CDM Arts Program

Education/Experience Required
Bachelors degree in an Arts related field preferred
Five (5) years of experience working with children aged 5 10 years in arts related program or similar environment required. Experience with intergenerational groups preferred.
Five (5) years of experience cultivating and managing relationships with community groups artists and/or non-profit partners including creating contracts and/or MOUs.
Demonstrated knowledge of Visual and Performing Arts. Some experience in Media and Culinary Arts (may be informal).
Management experience required.

Supervises
Art Studio Coordinator

Working Conditions
Standard office environment.
Noisy museum floor and busy informal Art Studio.
Weekends evenings and some holiday work based on planned activities and events.

Physical Demands
Some lifting and carrying of supplies and equipment
Ability to sit stand and walk for required periods of time
Ability to climb ladders.

Required Experience:

Director