Designed by asking key questions about rural communities, opportunity, and innovation, the Artist Innovation Mentorship program (NCMA AIM) strives to make a positive impact on the lives of youth and to welcome them into the NCMA community by establishing a mentorship between middle school students and practicing artists. In addition, it allows for the NCMA to serve as a bridge to connect youth and artists to the larger arts community across the state.

The program, which runs year-round, is designed to feature a series of six-week artist residencies, bringing artists, art materials, and arts-integrated lesson plans into after-school programs across the state. Self-selecting students of middle school age are paired with professional, local NC artists during the residencies. Working with statewide community leaders, we identify sites that are a combination of highest need and immediate readiness in order to serve a wide variety of populations in primarily rural areas of North Carolina. Key elements of the program are a mentorship model, student and artist growth, support of diverse and community-based artists, attention to artists who work in different media, attention to artists at varying stages of development, and statewide awareness of the program.

The AIM Western Regional Coordinator will work closely with the Director of Outreach and Audience Engagement to assist in the day-to-day operation of residencies in select counties west of the Piedmont region.

Program Administration and Training (75%)

• Assist Director of Outreach and Audience Engagement with administrative work pertaining to the management of the program, including maintaining contact with partners and artists and timely and effective communication with host sites.
• Ensure proper implementation of details prior to, during, and after artists’ residencies, including communication with AIM Program Assistant to order necessary supplies and complete contracts and invoices.
• Assist with training of incoming teaching artists to ensure consistency of approach and understanding of six-week lesson plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Travel (25%)

• Visit each residency site to ensure successful launch and closure of each residency.
• Document site-based work, including photographing, capturing video, and partnering with Museum Evaluator.
• Work closely with the evaluation team to collect materials such as surveys, written statements, and photographs that will be used for reporting purposes.

• Undergraduate degree in arts management, art history, studio art, or arts education
• Professionalism in communication and presentation as a representative of the NCMA
• Ability to travel frequently within western NC
• Experience working with youth and ability to pass a background check
• Familiarity with a variety of visual art materials and techniques used by artists
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Experience with after-school programming and public education administration a plus

Skills

• Strong ability to excel as a program administrator
• Ability to develop relationships with a wide range of people, including NCMA staff, community support staff, school administrators, practicing artists, and middle school youth
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to successfully interact with both youth and adults
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to effectively sustain multiple project sites simultaneously
• Resourcefulness and a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Excellent time-management skills

Application Deadline: July 7, 2024