Director of Community Arts Centers (Center Director)

Overview

Classification

Leadership, Exempt

FTE

Fulltime, 40+ hours/week. Currently YAX staff works (4) 10 hour days, Monday-Thursday with occasional weekends and evenings; however, the Center Director would develop and/or update staff schedules as needed.

Location

On Site – San Francisco

Job Summary

Youth Art Exchange’s (YAX) Director of Community Arts Centers (Center Director) is a dynamic, hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing our youth and community arts center locations in the Excelsior and Mission Districts. Each art center is located on the ground floor of 100% affordable housing. They feature gallery and event spaces, a photography darkroom, music recording studio, a printshop, fashion studio, classroom spaces, and more. This is an exciting stage for YAX as we are now focusing on building out robust programming and operations to support these vibrant centers and to further YAX as a leader in innovative arts programming. YAX’s work is centered on racial equity, and that will be critical to all aspects of this position.

This position requires a creative and organized individual who is passionate about arts education and community engagement. The Center Director will oversee our youth and community programming and operations of our centers and extension work in San Francisco. The Center Director is also a public spokesperson for all YAX programs and our mission. The role demands the ability to balance long-term initiatives and visioning with day-to-day operations, work collaboratively with staff, teaching artists and partners, and create a welcoming environment for youth and the broader community.

Reporting

The Center Director reports to the Executive Director. This position oversees facilities and program staff, and contract artists.

Please note that YAX is a fiscally-sponsored project of Tides Center and employment is through Tides Center.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

ON SITE PROGRAMMING

• On-Site Programming: Oversee the planning, coordination, and implementation of on-site programs at both Youth Arts Center locations: La Fénix in the Mission (1950 Mission Street) and Kapuso in the Excelsior (2330 San Jose Avenue + 400 Geneva Avenue).
• Gallery Management: Oversee two galleries, including planning and curating year-round exhibitions, coordinating with artists, and ensuring the smooth operation of gallery rentals and other related activities.
• Youth Art Camps: Plan, organize, and oversee tuition-based youth art camps throughout the year, ensuring high-quality programming and a positive experience for participants.
• Field Trips & Residencies: Coordinate field trips and off-site, school-based residencies, collaborating with local schools to bring arts programming to students.
• Youth Open Studios: Manage the Youth Open Studios program, providing a space for youth to explore and develop their artistic skills.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING

• Community Artmaking Events: Plan, coordinate, and execute yearly community artmaking events that engage local residents and foster creative expression.(i.e.) resident services events, Outside Lands, Sunday Streets, Art Walks.

STAFF + VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

• Staff & Volunteer Management: Supervise and set goals for 3-4 staff members helping with programs, outreach, admin, marketing and operations, ensuring work is delegated efficiently and effectively. Manage the volunteer Gallery Coordinator, providing guidance and support.

CENTER OPERATIONS

• Rental Scheduling & Invoicing: Handle rental requests, scheduling of space for external events, and manage invoicing and financial tracking related to these activities.
• Faculty Artist Contracts: Oversee the negotiation, preparation, and execution of faculty artist contracts, ensuring all terms and expectations are met.
• Collaboration with Facilities Manager: Work closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure all on-site programming needs are met, including space maintenance, equipment, and safety.
• Operational Oversight: Oversee the operational aspects of the center, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation, while holding the bigger picture of the center’s long-term goals in mind.

LEADERSHIP COLLABORATION

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and leadership team on organizational growth and funding opportunities.
• Outreach & Partnerships: Support and maintain strong partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and other key stakeholders, ensuring the center is deeply embedded in the local arts ecosystem.

The Center Director is responsible for other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: Minimum of (5) years of programming experience such as arts education, youth development, public programming, event planning or related fields, with at least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role. Minimum of (2) years experience managing facilities, rentals, and operational logistics at a community art center.
• Management + Leadership: Proven experience in staff supervision. We aim for a coaching model of supervision to bring out the best in others and build staff capacity to achieve organizational goals and objectives. Ability to partner with staff at all levels and Advisory Board Members on initiatives.
• Project Management Skills: Proven experience in project management. Strong ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and remain organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with staff, volunteers, artists, and the community.
• Flexibility: Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and manage a wide range of responsibilities simultaneously.
• Creative Vision: A deep understanding and passion for arts education and community engagement, with a vision for how the center can positively impact youth and the local community.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with Google Workspace, Salesforce, Amilia’s SmartRec, Monday Project Management, Netsuite, and/or other equivalent systems.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strategic Thinker: Ability to see and hold the big picture.
• Collaboration and Internal Relationship Building: Effective at working with others to reach common goals and objectives; Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships with peers, across different levels of the organization and externally.
• Creatively Problem-Solver: Proactively approach challenges with creativity.
• Embodies a Growth Mindset and Ongoing Learning + Development: Support development of skills and talents can be through effort and learning for themselves and others.
• Compassionate: Self-aware, demonstrates empathy for others, open to receiving and giving feedback, etc.

We seek a Center Director who is enthusiastic and passionate about arts programming and its impact on youth, flexible and adaptable to the needs of the organization and the community, and committed to social justice, equity, and youth empowerment. Knowledge of San Francisco’s arts and cultural landscape is a plus.