Arts Program Curator

THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION

The Public Affairs Divisionis responsible for all aspects of government media and community relations customer relations and communications at John Wayne Airport. Public Affairs staff is charged with responding to media and public inquiries; serving as front-line customer service agents; coordinating Ambassador and volunteer programs; planning and organizing museum-quality exhibitions; disbursing information via the Airport website; tracking local state and federal legislation; enforcing the settlement agreement educating the surrounding communities about access and noise issues and handling noise complaints. The division is comprised of five units Access and Noise Communications Customer Relations Government Relations and Public/Media Relations.

THE OPPORTUNITY

John Wayne Airport is looking for an Arts Program Curator (Staff Specialist) who can implement and manage arts programs projects and initiatives. The Arts Program Curator will work under the direction of the Customer Relations Manager in the Public Affairs division and will support the JWA Arts Commission proactively build community partnerships and provide information and technical assistance as needed to artists arts organizations and the public. Some duties and responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

• Conceptualize organize and implement multiple museum style exhibitions for various programs
• Manage the program budget and related contracts
• Provide administrative logistical and technical support to the JWA Arts Commission including preparation of meeting agenda supporting materials and draft minutes ensuring compliance with applicable public meeting laws including the Brown Act.
• Coordinate with Public Affairs staff County Counsel and Arts Commission leadership to ensure timely noticing documentation and public accessibility of Commission meetings.
• Participate in monthly staff meetings and quarterly general department meetings
• Provide monthly status reports to Customer Relations Manager and Public Affairs leadership as appropriate.
• Provided day-to-day oversight and work direction to an Office Assistant assigned to the Arts Program including coordination of administrative tasks scheduling documentation and program support activities.
• Oversee and administer the Airports Arts Program Internship including recruitment onboarding training mentorship task assignment and performance feedback for (1) intern.
• Coordinate closely with Airport Operations Maintenance and security staff to ensure exhibitions are installed maintained and deinstalled in compliance with safety security and operational requirements.

The Arts Program Curator supports three (3) major exhibition areas including:

• Vi Smith Concourse Gallery (VSCG)

• Community Focus Space (CFS)

• Destination Gallery

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess four (4) years of professional experience in arts administration or art event/production management including experience curating organizing and implementing art exhibitions in art galleries art museum settings hotels restaurants libraries and/or municipal buildings as well as experience supporting a commission board advisory body including agenda development meeting coordination and compliance with public meeting requirements such as the Brown Act and providing work direction to support staff and/overseeing internship or educational programs within an arts or public-sector environment.

Successful candidates application will also demonstrate extensive experience knowledge and/or ability in the following core competencies:

Technical Experience Art Exhibit Management

• Experience coordinating art installation and oversight for a variety of exhibition content
• Experience managing exhibitions within active public or operational facilities such as airports transit centers hospitals or municipal buildings
• Knowledge of contemporary modern traditional and historic art movements and styles
• Knowledge of art exhibition terminology
• Knowledge of art related online research techniques
• Knowledge of art exhibition design aesthetics including using negative space in exhibition design and implementation
• Ability to discern a sense of aesthetics for art exhibition design and exhibition signage identification graphics
• Ability to coordinate exhibition work within security safety and access constraints

Interpersonal Communication Relationship Building

• Work with individual artists to achieve the highest professional levels of art exhibition communication and cooperation
• Ability to effectively support and collaborate with appointed commissioners advisory board members County staff and the public in a transparent professional and legally compliant public-meeting environment
• Provide guidance mentorship and professional support to administrative staff and interns while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver strategic quality and culturally relevant curation
• Organize support for art programs from external organizations
• Coordinate with others in response to multiple competing demands to ensure work is completed in a timely manner
• Build strong and enduring partnerships with local organizations and artists
• Liaise with organizations and individuals on achieving common goals
• Participate as a positive team member with passion for art

Oral & Written Communication

• Prepare clear accurate and legally compliant meeting agendas staff reports and draft minutes for commission or advisory board meetings.
• Ensure written materials meet public disclosure noticing and accessibility requirements
• Develop written exhibition description statements for press release
• Fine tune artist written statement for clarity and public understanding/access
• Prepare and conduct public presentations clearly and effectively
• Develop art exhibition titles graphics signage color theme and layout
• Coordinate and lead business meetings
• Provide monthly program status updates
• Ensure timely appropriate communication with stakeholders and communicate professionally

Organization & Planning

• Multi-task the organization of both solo and group style visually cohesive art exhibitions with distinct themes and/or concepts
• Coordinate all aspects of programming scheduling and communication with vendors artists and community partners
• Coordinate commission and advisory board meeting schedules deadlines and supporting documentation in compliance with public meeting laws
• Experience managing Brown Act timelines agenda posting requirements and records retention
• Maintain a high level of energy and commitment to juggle multiple tasks and priorities
• Facilitate art exhibitions including on-site set-up production and smooth operation
• Set high standards for quality work and responsiveness in providing administrative services
• Adjust priorities to respond to pressing and competing demands to ensure work is completed in a timely manner
• Experience providing work direction and coordination to administrative staff and interns
• Ability to mentor train and guide emerging arts professionals
• Experience managing internship or educational programs in an arts museum or public-sector setting
• Ability to balance program delivery with staff oversight responsibilities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS