Visual Arts Program Manager

Visual Arts Program Manager

Since 1893, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston have played an essential role in opening doors and creating opportunities for young people across this city. For every youth in Boston and Chelsea, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston are a life-changing force for opportunity and empowerment that enables future talent to reach their full individual potential as productive citizens and leaders, inspired to make a difference in the Greater Boston community. By reaching 22 of 23 communities throughout Boston and Chelsea, no other youth serving organization engages more young people and families.

The Visual Arts Program Manager is a full-time position responsible for providing program leadership, oversight, and continuous improvement of the Boys & Girls Clubs visual arts programming for youth ages 6-18. This position ensures the development and delivery of high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and engaging arts experiences that foster creativity, self-expression, skill development, and positive youth outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of diverse, high-quality arts programming that reflects BGCB's youth development philosophy and supports creativity, skill building, self-expression, and engagement across visual, performing, culinary, and literary arts disciplines.
• Facilitate direct program delivery and create developmentally appropriate learning experiences that foster positive youth outcomes, promote artistic exploration, and encourage sustained participation among members ages 6-18.
• Establish and maintain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment by consistently applying positive behavior management strategies and youth-centered practices that promote respect, accountability, and emotional well-being.

Program Quality and Continuous Improvement:

• Ensure program quality by monitoring implementation against BGCB program standards, assessing participant engagement and outcomes, and utilizing evaluation data to inform program enhancements and decision-making.
• Demonstrate a commitment to data-driven practice by actively participating in organizational assessment efforts, collecting and analyzing program outcomes, and incorporating member feedback to strengthen program effectiveness and impact (Ex. Annual Member Survey).

Collaboration and Relationship Building:

• Foster collaborative partnerships across club departments, BGCB locations, schools, community organizations, and external stakeholders to expand opportunities, resources, and enriching experiences for youth.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with volunteers, teaching artists, consultants, and community partners, effectively leveraging their expertise to enhance program offerings and member experiences.

Staff Leadership and Talent Development:

• Provide effective leadership, coaching, and supervision to program staff, work-study students, junior staff, and volunteers, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and high performance.
• Coordinate onboarding, training, mentoring, and performance management activities to ensure staff possess the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to deliver exceptional youth programming.
• Conduct timely and constructive performance evaluations, provide ongoing feedback, and support employees in achieving individual and organizational goals.

Resource and Fiscal Management:

• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility through effective planning, management, and monitoring of departmental budgets, ensuring resources are allocated strategically to maximize program quality and sustainability.
• Oversee the stewardship of facilities, equipment, materials, and supplies, maintaining organized, safe, and well-equipped program environments that support creativity and learning.

Professionalism and Organizational Engagement:

• Engage in ongoing professional development and reflective practice to strengthen leadership effectiveness, youth development competencies, and arts education expertise.
• Participate actively in individual and group supervision, organizational initiatives, and cross-functional meetings, contributing to a culture of continuous learning and organizational excellence.
• Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to organizational success by traveling between sites, supporting special events and activities, and performing other related responsibilities as assigned.

General BGCB Expectations:

• Healthy Behavior Modeling Teaching youth/teens the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle is a BGCB priority. As a result, all staff is expected to model healthy behavior while working with our members.
• Inclusive Environment BGCB values creating child-friendly environments, where youth/teens of all abilities can be successful and participate. BGCB expects employees to embrace its focus on inclusion of all members, regardless of disability or developmental challenge.
• Continuous Learning Building the capacity of staff is central to BGCB. The organization encourages and requires that all staff participates in annual professional development opportunities that continue to cultivate their skills in the youth development field.
• Safe Spaces Every staff member shares the responsibility for ensuring BGCB is, and remains, an environment free of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in related field preferred, equivalent experience considered.
• Direct experience developing and delivering arts programs for youth; experience in both classroom and non-classroom settings preferred.
• Knowledge of trends in arts programming, techniques and theory, and utilization of technology in the arts fields.
• Must be or become CPR and First Aid certified.
• Minimum one-year supervisory experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Proficient in MS Office applications and web-based systems.
• Ability to work with youth and families from a variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to work club hours especially as seasons and service needs change.

Preferred:

• Master's degree
• Project management experience
• Multi-lingual candidates are encouraged to apply

Travel: Travel between sites and to activities as needed

Start Date: September 2026 (desired start date yet position open until filled)

Location: Dorchester, MA (Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club)

Salary & Benefits: Salary - $28.36/hour - $33.63/hour - commensurate with experience; along with competitive benefits and a great work environment