Visual Arts

MOCA was founded by a group of visionary artists, philanthropists, and civic and business leaders in 1979 with the mission of building a permanent forum for contemporary art in Los Angeles. With a world-class collection of nearly 8,000 objects, MOCA is committed to the collection, presentation, and interpretation of art created after 1940 in all media. The museum has achieved remarkable growth with two Los Angeles locations of architectural renown; education programs that are widely emulated; award-winning publications that present original scholarship; and groundbreaking monographic, touring, and thematic exhibitions of international repute that survey the art of our time.

MOCA is an inclusive place where a multiplicity of artists, audiences, and community intersect. Offering free general admission through the Art for All initiative, MOCA exhibitions welcome nearly 200,000 visitors of all ages and backgrounds annually. Another 20,000 people are engaged through lectures, film screenings, and community events.

Overview
MOCA’s new Director of Community Outreach & Public Programs will oversee outreach programs and partnerships, as well as on-site public programs, including those related to exhibitions. The successful candidate will provide strategy, direction, and vision for the role of the contemporary art museum in the public sphere, deepening public and civic engagement. Key credentials include excellent verbal communication and negotiation skills, emotional intelligence, and extensive experience with planning conveneings and public programming, as well as facilitating open dialogue on critical issues. Strong candidates will have a demonstrated ability to achieve agreements for mutual benefit, working knowledge of DEI&A best practices, particularly intersectional issues in the area of pursuing racial equity; and the ability to prioritize impacted populations in decision-making, with lived experience in communities highly affected by structural or systemic barriers.

This new, full-time permanent position will play a critical role in MOCA’s organizational structure and is made possible with seed funding from the Leadership in Art Museums initiative, a collaboration between the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Ford Foundation, Mellon Foundation, and Pilot House Philanthropy designed to advance racial equity within museum leadership roles.

The Director of Community Outreach & Public Programs will create vibrant conditions for building reciprocal relationships in the community to transform MOCA’s practices and public programs, and grow a thriving, diverse community around and within MOCA.

The Director of Community Outreach & Public Programs position will participate fully in MOCA’s DEI&A initiatives and processes, infusing best practices into all activities, both public-facing and internal. This position will cultivate external relations and develop programs that advance equity while supporting art and artists.

This position will also prioritize opportunities to align MOCA’s programming with the objectives of Los Angeles County’s Cultural Policy Strategic Plan, which centers equity and access.

Essential Functions

• Develop, execute, and evaluate a well-balanced roster of mission-driven programs that create long-lasting, impactful relationships between the museum and its diverse publics.
• Develop racial-equity-centered dialogues and encounters between MOCA representatives (including staff, board, and donors), artists, and key community constituencies.
• Work with The Maurice Marciano Director, Chief of Public Engagement, Learning & Impact, Chief Curator & Director of Curatorial Affairs, Chief Communications Officer, and Director of Education & Visitor Engagement to integrate strategic goals, exhibition, collection, and education program, and public engagement objectives.
• Conduct internal readiness assessment with key MOCA staff and external stakeholders to identify recent, historical, and desired relationships to community entities, including schools, local businesses, elected officials, and neighboring cultural organizations; develop a map of relationships that includes qualitative data about the nature of those relationships.
• Manage contracts with program participants; arrange travel and artist, performer, and speaker service provisions.
• Supervise Public Programming Associate and work cross-departmentally with staff in support areas including Audio Visual, Visitor Engagement, Facilities, and Security to realize planned programs and initiatives.
• In consultation with colleagues in Curatorial; Advancement; and Public Engagement, Learning & Impact, identify potential audiences for specific exhibitions/programs.
• Collaborate internally to develop interpretive and wayfinding strategies.
• Broker inclusive conversations with MOCA’s interpretive, programming, communications, operations, and events teams to ensure community concerns are taken into account, and with external representatives as needed.
• Represent MOCA in community meetings and other public forums involving key constituent communities.
• Make recommendations for potential for exhibition- or topic-specific advisory groups on an annual basis.
• In collaboration with the Chief of Public Engagement, Learning & Impact, develop and manage public programs budgets.
• Participate in and support promotional efforts around Community Engagement and Public Programs in tandem with the Communications team.
• Participate in the development of funding sources for programs, including foundation, corporate, and individual sponsorships; collaborate with the Advancement department to participate in donor cultivation and write grants.
• Ensure that public programming occupies a leading role in the museum’s efforts to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEI&A) goals.
• Other projects as needed.

Requirements:

• Exceptional communication skills, written and oral; confidence in public speaking; and deftness with leading and moderating discussions
• At least 5 years of professional experience in program development and project management in the non-profit cultural sector
• Deep knowledge of contemporary art practices and of the museum field, locally, nationally, and globally
• Demonstrated record of successfully fostering connections with artistic partners, program attendees, cultural organizations, and community groups, and of serving as a primary liaison between an institution and its publics
• Must be highly detail-oriented, hands-on, and enterprising when it comes to production
• Proven commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEA&I)
• Proficiency with Google applications and all Microsoft office software.
• Possession of an M.A. in art history, museum studies, studio art, art education, or related subject is highly preferred
• Previous experience in curating exhibitions, publishing books, and/or producing performances/events is a plus

Salary Range: $90,000 – $105,000

POSITION COVERED BY MOCA/AFSCME COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT: NO

While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent must be able to do the following: sit for extended periods; bend and reach for filing and other job-related functions; climb up and down stairs; bend, stoop, and lift to move and retrieve materials; pull, push, and lift; reach both above and below shoulder height. Specific visual abilities include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to visually inspect work. Manual dexterity to operate a computer and other office equipment is required. Heavy usage of computers and phones required.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is an equal opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local laws. Our policy reflects and affirms the Museum of Contemporary Art’s commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.