Director of Arts and Culture

Director of Arts and Culture

Location: Firehouse Community Arts Center
Reports To: Director Of Operations
Salary Range: $60,000–$70,000
Effective Date: Fall 2026

Monday-Fridays 11-7pm and Some Weekends*

Job Summary

The mission of the Firehouse Community Arts Center is to interrupt the cycle of violence in the lives of youth and young adults in North Lawndale through the power of the arts.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Programs, the Director of Arts and Culture is responsible for establishing the “Arts as Redemptive Transformation” strategy for the Firehouse’s violence interruption and prevention programming.

The Director of Arts and Culture ensures standards of program development, delivery, and evaluation across all Spark Arts programming. Additionally, the Director of Arts and Culture serves in an externally facing role, managing relationships within the community and sharing the Firehouse’s history and mission to increase organizational visibility, partnerships, and programmatic funding.

• Set strategic goals and outcomes for Spark Arts programming in partnership with the Senior Director of Programs.
• Establish the annual program schedule and recruitment strategy across sites and communicate with the Manager of Spark Arts for execution.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Programs and Director of Operations to represent the Firehouse with external groups, community organizations, governmental agencies, and private organizations.
• Curate and oversee a portfolio of high-quality, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate Spark Arts programming for a variety of ages and target populations.
• Develop and implement strategies that maximize collaboration and synergy among program areas.
• Communicate and coordinate internally to ensure Spark Arts programs operate smoothly in conjunction with other Firehouse programming.
• Plan in conjunction with admin team the yearly Firehouse Block Party For Peace
• Supervise Spark Arts Vendors and Afterschool programming.
• Manage Afterschool Matters programs, reports, and responsibilities associated with the partnership
• Partner with the Director of Development to cultivate relationships with potential funders, program partners, community stakeholders, and vendors to ensure sufficient space, resources, and access to services.
• Work closely with Marketing and Communications to develop external messaging that promotes Spark Arts programs, classes, events, and opportunities.
• Participate in and thoughtfully contribute to the mission and organizational strategy of the Firehouse as a member of the Leadership Cabinet.
• Provide quality leadership that promotes a collaborative approach within and across departments.
• Provide thoughtful, growth-oriented supervision through regular one-on-one meetings and team meetings with direct reports, goal setting, coaching, and ongoing performance evaluations.
• Develop and train staff on the “Arts as Redemptive Transformation” framework to ensure consistent understanding and programmatic approaches across the organization.
• Establish and communicate clear expectations for contracted instructors and implement systems for instructor evaluation and accountability.
• Provide direct services to participants, as needed, including leading classes, workshops, and activities when needed.
• Ensure all aspects of Spark Arts programming align with the mission, values, and strategic priorities of the Firehouse.
• Develop, manage, and approve program operations and budgets, including monitoring actual expenses against forecasts.
• Demonstrate awareness of organizational culture and leadership’s responsibility to promote a workplace culture aligned with the values of the Firehouse.
• Act in alignment with the Firehouse’s values and ethos while serving as an example of positive, values-driven leadership.