Artology Director, BuildaBridge International

Posted by on November 07, 2010

Title: Artology Director
Employer: BuildaBridge International
Location: Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Timeframe: February 2011- October 2011

Employer
BuildaBridge is a nonprofit arts education and intervention organization that engages the transformative power of the arts to bring hope and healing to children, families and communities in the tough places of the world. BuildaBridge spans barriers of race, class, faith and culture to promote holistic personal, family and community development. Committed to principles of love, compassion, justice, reconciliation and service to others, BuildaBridge motivates, enlists, trains and connects those with artistic gifts with those in greatest need. BuildaBridge offers unique programs featuring cross-cultural perspectives and arts-integrated approaches to holistic personal and community development.

Position Summary

Artology, an art and science summer camp, sparks students’ curiosity through a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum and utilizes Philadelphia’s park system as a vibrant interactive classroom.  The camp serves low income students from BuildaBridge’s partner sites in North, West, and North West Philadelphia.

The Artology Director will be responsible for the overall execution of the six-week art, environmental science and biology camp with an enrollment of 60 students.  Duties will focus on program planning and implementation, student registration, parent communications/information, supervising food service, participant transportation, and final reporting including an assessment and exhibition.

Responsibilities
•    Attend 3 BuildaBridge trainings for new staff and submit child abuse, criminal background, and FBI clearances.
•    Serve as a member of the BuildaBridge professional staff and represent BuildaBridge’s commitments and values.
•    Oversee the development, editing, and implementation of the Artology Curriculum
•    Hire and supervise staff, interns, and volunteers
•    Market, fund raise & recruit: (e.g. arrange for street banner across a major street, place  notice/story in Germantown shelter newspapers, send PSA announcements to radio & TV stations, place pull-tab fliers at bus stops and shops along Germantown avenue, hold activity at Mt. Airy Day for recruitment
•    Develop, monitor and track Artology budget
•    Submit check requests and purchase all supplies and equipment
•    Register students:  Track and follow up with inquiries, Track registrations, fee scale, and payments, Communicate with parents… create and distribute parent information packet
•    Oversee coordination of transportation, food service, implementation of GEM  discipline program
•    Help implement assessment of students’ skills, and interview/survey participants and parents about their experiences.
•    Maintain regular communication with Danielle Dembrosky, Programs Administrator and Dr. Nathan Corbitt, President.
•    Coordinate Final Celebration including an exhibition and show at Philadelphia Art Museum or similar venue
•    Submit final Artology Report to President and Funders
•    Consider and develop training program to train community program directors in implementing Artology in other countries and states.

Qualifications
•    Willingness to commit to BuildaBridge’s principles of peace, love, social justice, reconciliation, and service to others
•    Excellent communication skills (excellent English and the ability to connect with the public on-line, via telephone, and in person)
•    Detail oriented, strong organizational skills, completes assignments on time
•    Practical experience in education, program coordination and implementation
•    2-5 years working directly with children preferred (especially those who are considered at-risk or under-resourced) preferred.
•    Flexibility and openness to difference to changing organizational needs
•    Ability to respond creatively
•    Independent, self-starting, and proactive; takes initiative in improving the work environment and the programs’s capacity
•    Good computer knowledge and strong web based skills is a plus
•    Experience in art-making or work as an artist not required but a significant plus
•    Understanding of collaborative processes and a persuasive personality
•    An understanding of the local social service environment and the desire to work in multicultural context
•    Understanding of art-making as a tool for holistic development
•    Positive attitude and the ability to multi-task and learn new skills

To apply:  Please send a cover letter and resume to Danielle Dembrosky, Programs Administrator – ddembro@buildabridge.org or 205 W. Tulpehocken Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144