Art in Public Places Project Manager

Published on 29 November 2023:

Job Positions Overview

This posting is for two positions with different regional focuses:

Position 1: Western Washington

• Primary focus in Western Washington, with some projects in Central and Eastern Washington.
• Attendance required at twice-yearly program meetings/retreats in Olympia.

Position 2: Eastern and Central Washington

• Primary focus in Eastern and Central Washington.
• Occasional travel to Western Washington for projects and Olympia for twice-yearly program meetings/retreats.

Job Responsibilities

Managing Art in Public Places Program Projects:

• Oversee public art projects in partnership with various agencies.
• Budget determination and management.
• Establish local decision-making committees.
• Facilitate artist selection and artwork acquisition.
• Analyze projects for political, technical, environmental, and aesthetic considerations.
• Promote stewardship and public awareness.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with artists, curators, and interagency agreements.
• Develop program policies, acquisition methods, and processes.
• Create contracts with artists, including addendums for partner agencies’ obligations.
• Assist in developing public art guidelines and panel procedures.
• Serve as an advisor and liaison to state arts agencies, the agency Board, and constituents.
• Represent the agency at national, state, and local meetings and conferences related to public art.

Qualifications

Travel Requirements:

• Extensive travel, approximately 10 days per month from September to June.
• Fewer travel days in July and August.
• Travel primarily within 200 miles of the position location, with occasional longer trips and travel to Olympia for program meetings/retreats.
• Travel may involve early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekend/holiday work.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in visual arts, art history, arts administration, or related field.
• At least two years of professional experience in public art administration, visual arts program management, or related experience.

Preferred:

• Technical knowledge of public art field standards, including relevant regulations.
• Familiarity with art-related legal issues (e.g., copyright and artists’ rights laws) and industry practices.
• Understanding of visual art and art mediums.
• Knowledge of building construction documents and technical aspects of artwork fabrication and installation.
• Advanced public management skills, including negotiation, dispute resolution, and risk management.
• Experience in conducting public meetings, navigating state ethics laws, and working with commissions/boards.

Supplemental Information

To be considered for this position, please provide:

1. A letter of interest detailing how you meet the qualifications outlined in the job posting.
2. A current resume highlighting your experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current contact information.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Washington State Arts Commission values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity employment, welcoming applicants regardless of various characteristics, including race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, family status (including pregnancy), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disabilities, or other legally protected characteristics.

Contact Information

For inquiries about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or email jobs@des.wa.gov.