Role Overview

The Artist Engagement Manager is a leadership role in the Communications Department responsible for integrating arts and culture into the strategic advocacy of the ACLU of Texas. Building on the organization’s past work and future 5-year plan, this position will scale the flagship artist-in-residence program, develop new partnerships with cultural leaders and institutions throughout the state, and manage arts-based projects and events across issue areas.

This is a new position for the ACLU of Texas and the Artist Engagement Manager will have a hand in shaping the advocacy through the arts program from the ground up, building it into an intentional program that advances strategic goals in each of the six issue areas and across the organization. The position will grow to manage staff over time.

The manager is expected to operate with autonomy while building shared ownership across and beyond the organization. Reporting to the Communications Director, this arts administration role requires statewide travel and the ability to work non-traditional hours as needed.

Organization Overview

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Lone Star State. We work in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect and advance the rights of Texans throughout the state. The ACLU of Texas is both a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. The ACLU of Texas operates professional offices in Houston, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, and Brownsville, Texas.

Responsibilities

Artist-in-Residence Program Management (40%)

Own the full lifecycle of the residency program and accompanying resident projects, while thoughtfully coordinating people, budgets, and strategy to ensure programs are both impactful and sustainable.

• Lead the recruitment, selection, and public announcement of residents.
• Plan and execute public-facing events introducing residents to community leaders and showcasing their final work.
• Serve as the primary contact for residents for the duration of their residency, which includes triaging needs, coordinating cross-departmental resources and support, tracking and reporting on progress, and ensuring projects are aligned with organizational priorities.
• Facilitate an evaluation of each residency with staff and external partners, using feedback to improve the program.
• Produce and distribute multimedia documentation of each residency to expand public awareness.
• Manage the program budget and partner with the Development Department on fundraising efforts.
• Launch an alumni network with relevant programming to deepen relationships with and among residents.

Cultural Partnership Cultivation (30%)

Develop strong relationships with advisors, community partners, artists, and funders to advance program goals and organizational impact.

• Build relationships with arts institutions and cultural centers statewide.
• Recruit and steward a diverse circle of advisors to support the artists-in-residence program and the organization’s arts-based advocacy more broadly.
• Develop a system for managing relationships with artists across the state.
• Collaborate with cross-sector partners, coalitions, and funders on arts-based advocacy efforts.

Arts-Based Projects and Public Programming (30%)

Lead the ideation, planning, logistics, and evaluation of arts-based programs to ensure they are community-centered, culturally responsive, and impactful.

• Pitch, design, and manage arts-based advocacy initiatives beyond the artist-in-residence program, including both projects and events, to advance strategic plans.
• Identify and implement arts-based tactics into existing campaigns, programs, and events across departments and issue areas.
• Pilot and build out a sustained engagement with Texas filmmakers to shape public narratives.
• Coordinate collaborations with partners statewide to amplify impact.

As a manager in the Communications Department, the Artist Engagement Manager will:

• Build out and then manage the advocacy through the arts program, in close coordination with the Communications Director and other departments.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and technical assistance to staff while setting clear goals, delegating tasks, and fostering a collaborative environment of excellence and shared learning.
• Track and report on metrics.
• Participate in budgeting and planning processes.
• Identify departmental needs and hire necessary staff over time.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Competencies

• Leadership: Effectively leads others in achieving stated duties and assignments. Brings out the best in people. Able to operate with significant autonomy, with support and collaboration from the supervisor.
• Process Management: Figures out the processes necessary to get things done. Organizes people and activities. Knows what to measure and how to measure it.
• Project Management: Able to develop project concepts and break down activities into manageable pieces that can be appropriately delegated to internal collaborators and external vendors. Tracks progress using project management tools. Manages accountability processes for deliverables.
• Technical Ability: Brings a creative and strategic perspective. Has the knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment. Seeks out additional opportunities to grow.
• Teamwork: Creates a climate in which people share ownership and want to do their best. Brings a positive, problem-solving attitude to relationships with colleagues and partners. Relates well with people of different backgrounds and responsibilities in an equitable and inclusive manner. Demonstrates personal integrity, admits mistakes, and fosters trust.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in art history, museum studies, arts administration, or a related field; work experience and/or alternative educational preparation may be substituted for formal education.
• Five years of relevant experience in arts management, including team management, budgeting, timeline development, and cross-functional coordination.
• Proven ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects with close attention to detail, meet deadlines, and refine systems and processes to improve workflow.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly and persuasively convey complex legal, policy, and artistic ideas.
• Knowledge of equity-centered and community-engaged practices in arts and culture.
• Ability to nurture a highly collaborative environment committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with people of different identities and experiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the ACLU of Texas’ values, mission, and goals, with an understanding of structural racism and interpersonal bias.

Preferred:

• Track record of effective staff management and development.
• Proven ability to manage successful, large-scale arts projects that include the supervision of consultants and/or artists.
• Professional experience working on one or more of the following issues: border and immigrants’ rights, free speech and pluralism, justice system and carceral reform, LGBTQIA+ equality, reproductive freedom, and voting rights and democracy.
• Fluency in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, or another widely spoken language in Texas.

Compensation

The salary band for this position starts at $92,000 per year with room for advancement within the organization.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, previous criminal conviction and veteran status.

Apply

Apply by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sunday, May 24.