Public Art and Grants Program Manager

This position is responsible for managing Burlington’s Art in Public Places Program and artist granting programs, including but not limited to, convening the public art committee, maintaining the City’s public art collection, updating program policies, organizing selection panels, writing RFP’s, acting as a liaison with businesses, artists, professional services, and BCA’s marketing team, and implementing contracts with artists. 

• Lead and develop public art-related projects on behalf of Burlington City Arts and the City.
• Manage contracts with artists, including working with the City Attorney’s office to determine the appropriate contract and contract details for each project and obtaining the proper authorizations for each contract.
• Manage annual operating budget for the public art and grants divisions, and report on fiscal year financial position on a monthly basis to Assistant Director.
• Work with Capital Program Director to review availability of dollars in Public Art Fund and distribution of project funds per the Percent for Public Art Ordinance and guidelines.
• Prepare annual budget for Public Art as part of the City’s annual budgeting process for Percent for Public Art Capital Fund and the Art in Public Places program for approval by Public Art Committee.
• Ensure non-departmental funding sources are assigned and approved for projects that are not covered by Percent for Art Funds.
• Prepare budget amendments for capital projects, including preparing memos and related documents for City Council and the Board of Finance approval as needed.
• Develop annual plan for public art with budgeting process, including new commissions, proposed gifts, maintenance projects, and admin projects in collaboration with city colleagues and the Public Art Committee.
• Update Public art Guidelines and Policies as needed in collaboration with city colleagues and Public Art Committee.
• Promote opportunities for grants and commissions in collaboration with BCA Communications team.
• Work closely with artists to realize each public art project from start to finish, including securing necessary permissions and permits from city departments/property owners, preparing the site, troubleshooting site condition and installation issues with the artist, documenting the process, and developing interpretive information about the work for the public.
• Convene Public Art Committee, a standing committee of the advisory board, quarterly or as needed to review materials related to proposed projects.
• Partner with city colleagues to develop public art priorities and projects.
• Develop requests for proposals or qualifications for public art and grant programs.
• Update condition report annually and make maintenance recommendations by year. Develop cost estimates for prioritized maintenance projects.
• Review organizational priorities and update BCA Community Fund Guidelines and criteria annually.
• Work with BCA marketing department to promote artist opportunities and programs on an ongoing basis.
• Manage contracts and awards for grant program recipients and provide support for applicants and recipients as appropriate.
• Convene selection panels for all grants and projects with a sensitivity to demographic and geographic range of participants.
• Manage submissions and selection panels and maintain BCA’s awards portal.
• Produce, write and edit text as it relates to BCA programs.
• Manage and cultivate relationships and represent BCA at high level public, media, and government forums, and contribute to the field through the presentation of lectures, talks, interviews, and publications.

Non-Essential Job Functions:

• Performs other duties as required.

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required, reasonable accommodations will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of experience working in an arts organization, including responsibilities commissioning art, and managing art installations, and managing jury selection processes.
• Ability to operate in a Windows based environment with knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software required.
• Ability to operate constituent management databases and experience with software that supports grants and jury processes.
• Demonstrated project management experience required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of budget management preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of the arts and cultural field and best practices in public art and grants management desired.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of clients, public and vendors.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Vermont driver’s license required.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced, pressurized environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills required.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, required.
• Ability to professionally represent City Arts and the City of Burlington.

Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity

The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.

In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.

Applications for our employment opportunities are only accepted online through our Government Jobs website.

For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-3057 or [email protected].