Visual Arts Program Manager

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Organisation: Alabama State Council on the Arts
Location: Montgomery, Alabama, USA
Working arrangement: In person
Salary: Approximately $43,350–$73,950 following the cost-of-living adjustment effective 1 October 2026
Application deadline: 9 September 2026
Travel: Regular travel across Alabama, with occasional overnight stays

About the Position

The Alabama State Council on the Arts is seeking an experienced arts professional to lead its grants, programmes, partnerships and services supporting visual artists and visual arts organisations throughout Alabama.

The Visual Arts Program Manager serves as the agency’s principal resource for the visual arts. The role combines grant administration, applicant and grantee support, statewide engagement, programme development, professional partnerships and curatorial oversight of the Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery.

The successful candidate will work directly with artists, museums, galleries, arts organisations, educational institutions and community partners to strengthen opportunities for visual artists and expand access to high-quality visual arts experiences across the state.

They will also supervise the Exhibitions and Digital Production Specialist, who delivers many of the technical, production, art-handling, printing and installation functions associated with exhibitions and touring projects.

Grants and Applicant Support

The Visual Arts Program Manager will:

Manage grants, programmes and activities in alignment with the Council’s priorities and strategic goals.
Act as a primary contact for artists, museums, galleries and arts organisations seeking information about funding opportunities.
Provide equitable and professional support to applicants throughout the grant process.
Explain grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, assessment criteria and application procedures.
Manage applications through the review process, including preparing materials and coordinating with panellists.
Document panel discussions and funding recommendations.
Review grant amendments, project changes, final reports and other post-award documentation.
Maintain knowledge of funded projects and identify opportunities for site visits, technical assistance and relationship development.
Contribute to the evaluation and improvement of the Council’s grant programmes.

Programme Development and Statewide Engagement

The successful candidate will represent the Council within Alabama’s visual arts community and develop productive relationships with artists, museums, galleries, educational institutions, community groups and other partners.

Responsibilities include:

Meeting artists and organisations to understand their work, challenges and emerging needs.
Conducting site visits and attending exhibitions, meetings, conferences and other sector events.
Supporting organisations and communities seeking to establish or strengthen visual arts programmes.
Identifying new partnerships, needs and programme models that could benefit Alabama’s visual arts ecosystem.
Participating in workshops, funding presentations and professional development events.
Maintaining relationships with relevant statewide, regional and national professional networks.
Supporting interdisciplinary initiatives and projects involving multiple agency programmes.

Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery

The Visual Arts Program Manager will provide curatorial and programmatic leadership for the Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery.

They will:

Develop a forward-looking exhibition schedule and pipeline of future projects.
Research, develop and organise exhibitions with artists, guest curators, partner organisations and Council staff.
Coordinate agreements, artwork loans, insurance values, documentation and interpretive materials.
Oversee exhibition narratives, labels, wall texts, printed materials and other interpretive content.
Coordinate exhibition schedules, production, installation, art handling, signage and lighting with the Exhibitions and Digital Production Specialist.
Develop artist talks, receptions, workshops and educational activities.
Maintain high standards for accessibility, visitor experience, artwork care and exhibition presentation.
Evaluate gallery attendance, visitor experiences and programme outcomes.
Explore opportunities to extend the reach of exhibitions through touring projects, partnerships, digital resources and printed reproductions.

Supervision and Project Management

The role includes direct supervision of the Exhibitions and Digital Production Specialist.

The Visual Arts Program Manager will establish priorities and schedules, coordinate curatorial and technical workflows, conduct regular supervisory meetings, support professional development and oversee performance evaluation.

They will also coordinate with colleagues working in communications, marketing, grants administration, digital production, finance and public programming.

Communication and Collaboration

The successful candidate will:

Communicate with applicants, grantees, artists, panellists, Council members, partner organisations and members of the public.
Work with communications staff to produce engaging information about grants, exhibitions, artists and events.
Prepare reports, recommendations, presentations and correspondence.
Collaborate with other programme managers on grant cycles, events, convenings and special initiatives.
Participate in Council meetings and other organisational activities.
Maintain accurate programme records in accordance with agency policies and state requirements.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have:

A bachelor’s degree in art education, fine art, art history, arts administration, arts management or a closely related subject.
At least two years of experience developing and managing work in a visual arts discipline for a museum, government agency, arts centre, educational institution, arts facility or similar organisation.

A relevant master’s degree may substitute for one year of the required professional experience.

Desired Experience

The Council is particularly interested in candidates with:

Experience in visual arts administration, museums, galleries, grantmaking, nonprofit arts management or public-sector arts programming.
Knowledge of contemporary visual arts practices and the professional issues affecting artists.
Experience administering grants, exhibitions, programmes or complex projects.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
The ability to manage detailed administrative work alongside long-term strategic planning.
Experience supporting applicants and constituents equitably and professionally.
Strong organisational and project-management skills.
The ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Experience building professional relationships across different communities and locations.
Supervisory experience or the ability to direct and support other professionals.
Curatorial or exhibition-development experience.
Experience with artist grants, fellowships, public funding or competitive grant programmes.
Knowledge of interpretation, visitor engagement, collections care or art handling.
Experience developing public programmes, workshops, artist talks or educational activities.
Public-speaking experience and participation in professional arts or museum networks.

Working Environment

This is an in-person position based at the Alabama State Council on the Arts office in Montgomery.

The role combines office-based administration with significant engagement with artists, organisations, museums, galleries and community partners. Regular travel throughout Alabama using a state vehicle is required, and occasional overnight travel may be necessary.

Although most technical installation and production work is undertaken by the Exhibitions and Digital Production Specialist, the Program Manager should be comfortable working in a gallery environment and participating actively in exhibition planning, preparation, public programming and problem-solving.