Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project Program Manager
Designed as a home for the creative life of the University of Chicago campus and the City of Chicago, the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts is a partner, resource, and catalyst for developing deeper cultural networks and richer creative projects at the University, across Chicago and beyond. An innovative hub for arts education and artistic practice, the Logan Center provides a platform to showcase today's most innovative creators across all media, and acts as a locus for impactful and collaborative artistic programs with partners in nearby South Side communities and across Chicago. To learn more please visit http://loganartscenter.uchicago.edu.
The Program Manager for Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project will work with the Director of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, representatives of the participating dance companies and colleagues across the Logan Center and the University of Chicago to facilitate the Chicago Black Dance Legacy project as part of the Logan Center's overall community engagement strategy. The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Initiative's mission is to celebrate and advocate for equity, inclusion, and increased opportunity to build the capacity of dance organizations and artists of African descent in the city of Chicago. The overall aim is to design and support initiatives that aid with organizational Capacity Building, Advocacy, Archiving and Presenting the historic impact that Chicago-based Black dance artists have had on the local and national dance community. The Program Manager will be responsible for overall project implementation including communications with the dance companies, coordination of joint programs and marketing efforts, documentation, supporting fundraising and development efforts, and project communications. The Program Manager reports to the Director of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project and works closely with the participating dance companies, as well as colleagues working in arts and community engagement across the University.
This position is a two-year full-time benefits-eligible position, including work on some evenings and weekends. Please note this position is a grant funded position and currently only has funding for two years.
Responsibilities
- Works closely with the Director of CBDLP to support overall project coordination and implementation of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project including coordination of meetings, communication with the participating dance companies, and overall project timeline and budget tracking.
- Works with the communications and marketing liaisons of each dance company, the Logan Center communications team, and project communications consultants to support joint marketing and communications efforts including collection of information on all public events, update the CBDLP website, and audience development initiatives.
- Under the Direction of the Director, facilitates joint programming efforts including partnerships with the Newberry Library, Black Metropolis Research Consortium, the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), and DCASE.
- Works with organizational consultants and OCE Community Accelerator program to coordinate the organizational capacity workshops and grant program for dance company specific projects.
- With the Dance companies and south side venues, develops tools to create a stronger network of southside performance and rehearsal spaces to support the work of the participating dance companies.
- Works in partnership with the UChicago Arts / Logan Center development teams to draft grant proposals, complete project evaluation for grant reports and support fundraising efforts to raise additional funds to support the project.
- As a member of the Logan Center staff, participates in staff meetings.
- Uses general understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
- Interacts with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field with knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- Working with community organizations.
- Arts administration and experience working with the dance community.
- Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with diverse arts constituencies.
- Grant writing.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Strong computer skills including use of Excel and PowerPoint.
- Knowledge of arts marketing, communications, and audience development.
Preferred Competencies
- Strong organizational, planning, problem solving, and project management skills.
- Take initiative, work independently and contribute as a member of a team.
- Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and under tight deadlines.
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
- Handle confidential information with utmost discretion.
- Display emotional intelligence.
- Foster partnership and collaboration.
Working Conditions
- Considerable office work.
- Occasional movement of chairs and tables to set up events.
- Travel to various city locations and occasional work on evenings and weekends.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
Employees must comply with the University's COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.