Arts and Activism in Education Program Director

Our Mission: Collaboraction builds knowledge, empathy, dialogue and action around oppression and inequity through live theatre, film and online interactive programs that leverage the power of storytelling and community to cultivate positive social change.

The Arts and Activism in Education Program Director is the leader of Collaboraction’s youth program, The Light, which develops Chicago youth (ages 13 – 20) as both artists and activists for social change. In its third season, The Light invests in a cohort of 10 youth over 2 months in the Summer with auditions in the Spring and rehearsals twice a week starting June 26 and culminating with summer festival performances (‘22 bookings included Fresh Fest at Navy Pier, Silver Room Block Party, Kidzapalooza and more) and a Chicago Park District’s Nights Out in the Parks Tour the week of Aug. 14 – 20th. In  the Fall of ‘23, the program will expand into 10 week residencies at designated Chicago High Schools. This individual reports directly to both the Managing Director and Artistic Director.

The Arts and Activism in Education Program Director will work directly with the company’s leadership to:

• In partnership with MD and AD, build and implement the vision for the youth program
• Manage recruitment, communication, curriculum and production calendar for The Light Youth program
• Initiate and manage related activities, such as youth artist application/audition processes
• Lead rehearsals, development of new work and performances
• Work with MD, AD and Development Staff to raise funds and resources for the program via grants, individual donations, final reports, etc.
• Locate, identify and develop potential teaching artist candidates
• Lead information sessions, mailings, and artist training
  Initiate and manage other related performance opportunities and appearances
• Monitor, record, and collect pertinent data for grant writing and reporting including narratives, financial statements, statistics, evaluations, observations, etc.
• Participate in Arts Advocacy events locally, regionally, and statewide as appropriate
• Starting in Fall of ‘23, lead in–school residencies at Chicago High Schools with a substantial increase in hours and responsibilities

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years as a teaching artist
• Experience in curriculum development
• Experience with producing theatre and film
• Experience as an activist and artist for social change
• A passion and experience working with social justice campaigns, political campaigns, or activism, etc.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with volunteers/parents/agents
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple projects simultaneously

The ideal candidate will have a history of work in nonprofit and social justice organizations.