Artist Services Manager (20hr/week, Hybrid)

The Artist Services Manager plays a key role in developing and maintaining productive work relationships with the YA roster of teaching artists (independent contractors) who represent diverse artistic disciplines and offer performances, hands-on workshops and residencies for PreK-12 Students, and professional development for teachers.  

The Artist Services Manager has knowledge of arts education—both how the arts are currently integrated in schools and how teaching artists complement school programming, affirm and support student identity and creativity, and contribute to a welcoming school community. Candidate must have an abiding belief and passionate commitment to the value and need for arts education in all students’ lives.  The ideal candidate is curious and interested in all art forms and maintains a personal connection to the arts in their everyday life.   

Collaboration is essential to the success of this role, working with staff/peers and teaching artists to achieve organizational goals.  Learning opportunities may present themselves in on-the-job experiences, such as workshop or conference attendance. Engagement in YA’s Arts United (DEIA) efforts is essential and integrated into all staff roles.  

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 

40% - Artist Recruitment 

In collaboration with education and programming staff, identify programmatic and artistic needs of the roster 

Fulfill those needs by leading artist recruitment, and auditioning 

Lead the orientation for new artist(s) joining the YA roster. 

30% Artist Engagement, and Management 

Lead staff collaboration to visit and monitor artists in the field. Conduct site visits.  

Lead the staff Artist Engagement Committee in working to continually align programming with educational priorities, artistic and cultural diversity and organizational best practices 

Support the professional growth of YA artists through artist meetings and convenings; professional learning opportunities and YA mentoring program.  

Respond to roster-artist related concerns as they arise, including contract questions, school partner feedback, and strategic initiatives. 

Manage and coordinate periodic communication with YA artists about opportunities, policy updates, and upcoming events. 

Contribute to YA assessment initiatives, using YA rubrics program templates and assessment tools. 

10% Marketing support 

In collaboration with marketing staff, collaborate on gathering, editing and writing content for annual resource guide, website, and other marketing efforts. 

10% - Artist contracting and legal compliance 

Lead communication and contracting with teaching artists on an annual basis. 

Lead annual contracting process. 

10% Contribute to YA Initiatives   

Participate in ongoing efforts to improve in relation to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, according to YA’s Arts United Plan  

Contribute to YA’s board, staff and donor events, projects and initiatives as needed. 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS: 

3+ years’ experience in an administrative role, preferably in arts education and/or arts administration.  Experience in performing arts such as stage management, technical theatre, or box office management is beneficial.    

Effective proactive communication—both verbally and written—with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and communities.  

Strong organizational skills to track progress on multiple initiatives, provide timely follow up, and complete tasks in accordance with YA organizational timelines. 

Experience with Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Drive and/or ease and curiosity with learning new software applications. 

Experience leading difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. 

All YA staff must have a belief in and commitment to anti-bias, anti-oppression, anti-ableist, anti-racist practices in education. 

All YA staff must have an abiding belief in the value and necessity of the arts as an essential component of education.  

Conversational Spanish is a plus. 

On the Job Learning Opportunities: 

Salesforce, Teams, and other software applications 

Inclusive, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive practices and systems for individual and organizational change. 

Participation in convenings and professional learning relevant to the position. 

Additional Information 

YA is a hybrid work environment. In office/remote work schedules are determined based on the needs of the role.  

During 3-month provisional employment period, in-office (Princeton) work requirement may be significant.  

YA Office hours are 8:30-4:30, M-F. Regular working hours for this part-time role are determined in advance and align with YA’s business hours.   

Visits to in-school programs and artist auditions are an essential function of this role, and may occur several times a month. The ability to travel to schools and events within our entire service region of New Jersey and Eastern PA is required. Travel to New York or elsewhere may be needed for recruitment purposes. Mileage is reimbursed. 

This position requires significant computer usage for email communications, Zoom/Teams meetings, interoffice communications on Teams, and data entry. To the best of our ability, YA provides workspaces (home and in office) as requested by each individual staff person to support their comfort, productivity, and wellbeing.  

This part-time position is designed to offer meaningful, professional work with flexibility. We understand that many talented professionals balance work with caregiving responsibilities and are committed to creating a supportive environment where employees can thrive. We welcome candidates returning to the workforce after a career break and encourage applicants with experience gained through volunteer work, freelance projects, or creative endeavors.  

Studies have shown that women, people of color, and people who identify with disability are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At YA, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, and we recognize that careers are not always linear. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply.  

Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome employees and prospective employees without regard to race, religion, national origin, formal education, age, disability, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, health and mental health status, or veteran status.