Employment Opportunities at Highpoint Center for Printmaking
Education Programs Manager
$55,000
40 hours FTE
Applications due: May 8, 2024
Reports to Executive Director; supervises 1 part-time staff. Works collaboratively with the Director of Artist Programs, Development and Communications Manager, and Administrative Coordinator.
Work is performed on-site Monday - Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, with occasional evening and weekend events and off-site workshops.
Highpoint Center for Printmaking (HP) is dedicated to advancing the art of printmaking. We create pathways for artists, learners, and the public to increase their understanding and appreciation of printmaking through artistic and educational programs, a cooperative studio, a public gallery, and collaborative publishing opportunities.
We are seeking an Education Programs Manager to develop and manage all aspects of Highpoint’s education programs in alignment with our strategic plan and organizational values.
Summary
Our vision for Highpoint’s Education division is to remain integral to our neighborhood, city, and Midwest by leading accessible printmaking education that is responsive to the needs of learners and the broader arts-educational landscape.
Ideal Candidate: The Education Programs Manager is an experienced and ambitious arts educator with a clear vision for designing innovative programs and curricula. They have a learning and teaching philosophy that guides their work and an understanding of learning pathways for a wide range of participants. They will define a pedagogical approach for Highpoint and work collaboratively with all team members to integrate and connect this approach across program areas. They foster a culture of welcome, embrace an expansive definition of printmaking, and believe in human-centered learning.
The Education Programs Manager will collaborate with the Executive Director to set the pedagogical direction for the organization. They will support a growing roster of contracted teaching artists by cultivating relationships, designing annual instructor training, and developing resources. They will nurture relationships with artists, K-12 educators and administrators, and community partners. They are an active community member and understand the Twin Cities arts ecosystem and contemporary art. They are a facilitator, a connector, and supporter who are always finding ways to bring others into the fold. Understanding program outcomes and evaluation methods is key for this role.
Opportunities and Challenges
• K-12 workshops have declined in recent years due to diminished funding for field trips and bussing, COVID-19, and Minneapolis strike-related staffing transitions. The Education Programs Manager will be an active agent in reestablishing partnerships with K-12 and community partners and actively listen and respond to the changing needs of educators and students.
• Highpoint has an active roster of contracted teaching artists who regularly propose and teach adult classes. The Education Programs Manager will formalize and expand our teaching artist program, supporting teaching artists with a training curriculum and robust resources to continue to hone their educational and artistic skills.
• Highpoint is progressing in our journey to embed equity within our arts organization. The Education Programs Manager will play an active role in meeting artists and learners where they are. They will advance cultural competency, inclusive practices, and accessibility in our workshops and support reciprocal and intentional partnerships.
Responsibilities
Adult Education Programs (20%) Adult Education Programs include single and durational evening and weekend workshops and seminars or lectures with visiting artists.
Design an annual schedule of adult classes/workshops that support a range of techniques and progressive learner pathways, soliciting proposals from teaching artists as needed
Set program goals and outcomes and earned income goals.
Design annual training programs and standardize teaching artist procedures by maintaining a teaching artist handbook
Provide orientation support to teaching artists, access to materials and supplies, and communicate registration information
Manage class listings, digital registration, and scholarships
Cultivate relationships with visiting national contemporary printmakers to lead conversations and seminars
Manage contracts for teaching artists with support from the Administrative Coordinator
Youth Education Programs (20%) Youth Education Programs include on and offsite K-12 workshops.
Design a clear menu for school groups, and parents, to book youth experiences, including summer camps, field trips, and private events
Set annual goals and outcomes for youth workshops and solicit regular student, participant, partner, and teacher evaluations to measure progress
Conduct outreach to develop relationships with schools and community groups to create new and retain ongoing partnerships
Communicate with K-12 educators to coordinate workshops for youth and adults
Together with the Development and Communications Manager, set the annual communication strategy and marketing schedule for schools and educators
Artist Learning Programs (20%) Application-based learning programs for artists that build printmaking skills in supportive cohorts. This includes the Teaching Artist Learning Community, which provides technical printmaking skills and a pedagogical foundation for BIPOC artists to grow professionally and artistically, and ACCESS/PRINT, a 16-week mentorship program for teens to develop printmaking skills, create prints, and exhibit a portfolio of work.
Develop program structure, outcomes, and evaluation methodologies with input from community advisors and HP’s BIPOC steering committee, including facilitating individual and group feedback sessions
Develop educational content for cohort meetings that support growth in the areas of pedagogy, curriculum, and professional practice and facilitate weekly cohort meetings
Develop and coordinate the application process, promotion, and selection with support from the Director of Artistic Programs and the Development and Communications Manager
Develop and implement an outreach strategy to increase the number of youth applicants for Access/Print.
Coordinate guest teaching artists' engagements and site visits
Facilitate ongoing communication with cohort members
Community Programs (20%) Community programs include single and durational workshops or arts experiences for community members of a range of ages and abilities.
Conducts outreach to develop relationships with community organizations to create new and retain ongoing partnerships
Work with community partners to coordinate workshops and custom experiences
Co-design learning experiences for learners of all ages in partnership with community groups and organizations
Design and implement 3-4 Free Ink Days annually with support from education staff and volunteers
Support additional events, openings, and programs as needed
Administration (20%) Management and operations for the education division.
Oversees one part-time staff person to support program areas
Trains and coordinates a core of 15-20 contracted teaching artists
Trains and coordinates a core of 10-20 volunteers to support workshops and events
Oversees program budgets, invoicing, and monthly accounting tasks
Together with the Development and Communications Manager and Executive Director, writes and reports on grants related to their program areas
Oversees classroom supplies and inventory
Oversees the safe use of the shop, materials, and equipment
Creates targeted program descriptions and marketing materials, working closely with the Development and Communications Manager to create digital assets and resources
Conducts evaluation across all education program areas
Attends staff and programming meetings, hosts education department meetings, and contributes to the organizational culture at Highpoint
Maintains the education calendar and communicates programming information to fellow staff
Supports Highpoint in reaching its mission and goals through collective planning and ambassadorship
Collects and maintains data and contacts for program areas
Desired Qualifications: Education, Experiences, Knowledge, and Abilities
The ideal candidate possesses all of these qualifications: an understanding of our organization, a clear education vision and pedagogical philosophy, and someone who is a cultural fit and shares our values. Compensation will be commensurate with lived or professional experience in these areas.
Expertise in curriculum design and education theory
Experience teaching youth, adults, and artists
Knowledge of a variety of printmaking techniques and processes
Experience developing program goals, objectives, and evaluation methods
Grant writing/reporting experience
Promotional copywriting experience
Ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically
Ability to engage in traditional (one-to-many) and multi-directional (many-to-many) learning
Humility and an adaptive mindset
Experience in outreach, requitable partnership methods, and relationship-building
Understanding of artistic practices
Knowledge of contemporary art and artists' practices
A desire to work in conversation with the broader community, printmaking, and arts organizational fields
Comfort with e-commerce, customer relations, and/or registration software
Working Conditions/Physical Demands
Requires frequent lifting, carrying, or otherwise moving and positioning objects weighing up to 40 pounds
Frequently requires the ability to work for several hours at a time at a desk
Typically stands, bends, stoops, and crouches on a regular basis to provide support for day-to-day activities and events
Requires frequent use of a telephone and computer to provide information in a clear and understandable manner
Benefits
Health insurance: HP pays 85% of the cost of the full-time employee’s premium and 50% of the cost of the employee’s spouse or dependent coverage if elected by the employee.
Dental insurance: HP pays 50% of the cost of the full-time employee’s premium and 50% of the cost of the employee’s spouse or dependent coverage if elected by the employee.
Retirement plan: HP will contribute 2% of the employee’s income to an IRA, and if elected, the employee may contribute an additional percentage.
Annual Employee Professional Development Fund
Sick and safe time: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
Vacation: Two weeks paid vacation upon start, plus 12 major holidays and one floating holiday (vacation time increases with employee tenure)
Parental Leave: 6 weeks Paid Parental Leave upon start; no waiting period or accrual required
Free classes at Highpoint Center for Printmaking, pending availability (up to $400 per class value)
Membership to Highpoint’s Printmaking Cooperative ($2,100 value)
Complimentary Walker Art Center membership ($175 value)
One Highpoint Editions print per year, the selection of which is based on availability (value varies by year and selection, estimated $3,000 value)
To apply
Please email jobs@highpointprintmaking.org with the following:
A cover letter describing your related experience, education philosophy, familiarity with and interest in Highpoint Center for Printmaking
Your resume of professional and lived experiences.
The following will be requested from position finalists:
Two professional references upon notification of the interview
As a part of the interview process, we will ask you to prepare a presentation on your previous educational program experience.
All finalists will receive a background check
Timeline for Applicants
Applications due May 8, 2024
June 3, 2024 Finalists Notified (references requested)
June 10 – 11, 2024 Interviews
Early to mid-July 2024 start date