Mural Arts Philadelphia is the largest public art initiative of its kind, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For over 30 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative and equitable process, creating nearly 4,000 artworks that have transformed public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts aims to empower people, stimulate dialogue, and build bridges of understanding with projects that attract artists from Philadelphia and around the world, and programs that focus on youth education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, and public art and its preservation. Popular mural tours offer a firsthand glimpse into the inspiring stories behind Mural Arts’ iconic and unparalleled collection, which has earned Philadelphia worldwide recognition as the “City of Murals.”

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Mural Arts Program is seeking a Program Director for The Porch Light Program. The Porch Light Program, a collaboration with  the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, works closely with communities to uplift public art as an expression of community resilience and a vehicle of personal and community healing. Porch Light creates murals that focus specifically on mental health and substance use, as well as other issues that affect our mental health.  The Program Director will oversee the implementation of the Porch Light Program in communities and behavioral/social service agencies across Philadelphia. 

Key components of the Program Director’s job will be:

• Facilitation of community and city agency partnerships
• Oversight of the community engagement process in creating participatory public art and public art programming
• Building and sustaining strong relationships with the Program’s many stakeholders
• Manage the implementation of art programming at each partner site, including two commercial corridor storefronts operated by Mural Arts in collaboration with partners
• Work in collaboration with the Porch Light Project Manager, Program Coordinator and Storefront Managers to oversee the creation and installation of public art projects
• Advance best practices of the Porch Light Program rooted in substantial research and years of practice in the community in public art and health

The Program Director will also be expected to competently perform the following tasks:

• Management of limited number of public art projects within the Porch Light portfolio
• Budget development, monitoring and compliance
• Communication with the full range of stakeholders including community members, funders, internal staff, site partners, faculty, and students
• Planning and implementation of public meetings and events
• Support of Porch Light research dissemination by working closely with Mural Arts leadership, the Mural Arts Institute and Communications Department

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates need excellent communication and intrapersonal skills. Knowledge of program implementation, budgeting and fiscal management procedures a must. Ideal candidates will have a BA in a related field and at least 5 years of experience working with community in a social service or related nonprofit or government agency. MA in social work, public health, counseling or public administration preferred. Must demonstrate a passion for and/or practice in the creative arts and believe in the power of art to promote health and wellness for individuals and communities.  They should be able to juggle many tasks and to maintain focus in a fast-paced, high pressure environment. Ability to reorder priorities, delegate and multi-task – with ease and grace – a must. They must also be able to work well with many different kinds of people in diverse settings. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of organizational finance and project management fundamentals and a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. Commitment to the mission and values of the Mural Arts Program, a solid work ethic, excellent interpersonal skills, political savvy, and a respect for teamwork are critical to success in this position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Program Director will be expected to work some nights and weekends as the work demands.

Salary is commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package included. For further information on the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, please visit www.muralarts.org.

HOW TO APPLY

Please provide cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and references by Friday, April 26th. Please send application materials to porchlightapplications@muralarts.org with a subject of “Program Director”.