Founded in 1993, Venice Arts empowers under-resourced and underserved youth (ages 9–24) through creativity and storytelling, providing a safe, nurturing environment where youth can build brighter futures, develop confidence and creativity, and access educational, employment and other opportunities.

ROLE OVERVIEW
We are seeking an outstanding educator with a strong background in documentary photography, filmmaking, and related visual storytelling practices to lead our award-winning Media Arts Education and Mentoring (MAE) programs, including sequential workshops in photography, filmmaking, animation, narrative illustration, mixed media, and creative career pathways. Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in arts education, a deep understanding of the LA arts community, experience in trauma-informed practices in teaching, and familiarity with California visual arts and K-12 curriculum and content standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Management
● Program Leadership: Recruit, interview, train, and supervise teaching artists and artist-mentors, working closely with other MAE team members and other staff as appropriate
● Workshop Quality: Maintain high-caliber and engaging workshops for youth ages 9–18, assuring regular program evaluation
● Curriculum Oversight: Assure teaching artists develop syllabi aligned with Venice Arts’ curriculum and project-based, child-centered pedagogy
● Class Observations: Observe classes regularly to ensure safe, engaging, and high-quality teaching and adherence to pedagogy, curriculum and goals
● Class Marketing: Collaborate with teaching artists to write clear, compelling descriptions for classes and workshops
● Field Trips: Work w/ teaching artists to review, approve, and assure coordination of field trips
● Logistics & Events: Oversee team implementation of MAEM workshops and events including logistics, equipment, calendars, budgets, and correspondence

● Partnerships: Build relationships with local schools and arts groups to recruit more youth to onsite programming and expand participation at Venice Arts

● Program Goals & Budget: Work with directors to develop and implement program goals and budget; responsible for tracking and reporting on same

● Art Archiving: Manage department files and assure that student artwork is safely archived

● Exhibitions: Oversee the printing, framing, and display of youth art for events

Tracking, Analyzing & Reporting
● Data Collection: Adhere to best practices regarding sensitive data and maintain strict safety and privacy protocols regarding youth confidentiality; assure the collection and tracking of student, family, community and other relevant data

● Fundraising Support: Partner with fundraising team and directors to provide stories, content and data for grant reports, events, meetings and fundraising campaigns

● Program Reports: Prepare quarterly, annual, and custom data reports for leadership, board and fundraising purposes

● Impact Analysis: Review program data with directors to measure and improve workshop quality and programmatic impact

Creative Pathways Program
● Oversight: Oversee implementation of College Day, Career Day, and summer opportunities

● Awards: Assure support to youth for submissions to awards, festivals, and scholarships

● One-on-one Mentoring: Coordinate volunteer mentors with high-schoolers looking for support on scholarships, college applications, portfolios or other opportunities

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
● Minimum of 5 years of experience in media arts education with youth ages 9-18, including experience creating a fun, interactive and engaging classroom

● Art practice in photography, filmmaking and/or related forms of visual storytelling required; background in documentary genre and related visual storytelling practices

● Understanding of a hands-on curriculum that emphasizes storytelling; discovery, creativity, and building confidence; and conceptual and technical skills and knowledge

● Demonstrated experience or understanding of trauma-informed practices that maximize student engagement and create safe and predictable learning environments

● Strong classroom management skills and the ability to mentor others in this task

● Deep understanding of visual arts content and curriculum standards specific to California

● Proven ability to create meaningful youth centered experiences and events

● Demonstrated ability to utilize program evaluation tools, track data and educational outcomes and translate these into actionable insights for stakeholders, donors and funders.

● Technical knowledge of a diverse range of photography and filmmaking equipment, as well as arts software including the Adobe Suite

● Well-organized, highly detailed, and able to manage multiple deadlines successfully

● Proven experience safeguarding sensitive data, managing youth confidentiality protocols and training teams on such things as data security, parent consent procedures, and image/media waivers

● Excellent communication skills, written and verbal

● Demonstrated experience leading and building teams, managing staff and programs

BONUS SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
● Professional working proficiency or fluency in Spanish

● Experience with photo printing, framing, and gallery curation

● Familiarity with Google Suite, Mailchimp, Airtable, and Squarespace, social media applications and website functionality

BENEFITS
● 100% health insurance coverage

● 10 days vacation, 13 paid holidays, and 8 sick days

● Optional 401(k) plan

TO APPLY
Using the link below, please send a resume and one-page cover letter in one PDF attachment and describe how your skills and experience meet the qualifications.

Application for Manager, Media Arts Education + Mentoring Programs

Applications are due no later than July 10. NO CALLS, PLEASE. Only applicants who meet our requirements for this position will be contacted. If you have any questions, please contact info@venice-arts.org