Fine and Performing Arts Program Administrator (School-Based)
Job Number: 2600013D
Posting Date: Jun 10, 2026, 3:54:13 PM
Primary Location: North/Northwest Side-2714 W Augusta Blvd (Chicago HS of the Arts)
Position Type: Union Position
Salary Range
$67,000.00 to $89,000.00
JOB DESCRIPTION -
Fine and Performing Arts Program Administrator (School-Based)
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.
In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.
Fine & Performing Arts Schools in Chicago Public Schools value and utilize the arts as a primary vehicle for teaching and learning in their communities. These schools cultivate artistic literacy in every learner through authentic, high-quality, standards-based arts education experiences and by purposefully integrating arts education pedagogies and creative processes with other core content areas.
They provide students with consistent access to in-school arts experiences in multiple disciplines taught by certified arts instructors, as well as high-quality out-of-school arts experiences provided by arts instructors and/or arts partners. Finally, they ensure an arts-rich environment for students and staff alike by implementing the Fine & Performing Arts School Standards for Success across the school community.
The Fine and Performing Arts Program Administrator has a strong commitment to equity and acts as lead in ensuring the successful implementation of a school’s Fine and Performing Arts Program.
This includes leading strategic planning processes, spearheading all recruitment and audition efforts, engaging critical community partners across the non-profit, governmental, and corporate sectors, and ensuring the built environment, educational approach, and operational ecosystems across the school are arts-rich and student-centered.
The Fine and Performing Arts Program Administrator acts as the schools Magnet Cluster Lead Teacher, answers directly to the School Principal, and works in close collaboration with the school’s arts teachers and Arts Leadership Team.
The Fine and Performing Arts Program Administrator will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
Strategic Planning
- Oversee the development and execution of an Strategic Plan or Road Map related to the school’s Fine and Performing Arts program designation.
- Ensure alignment between school’s CIWP and mission/vision of the school’s Fine and Performing Arts program
- Convene regular meetings of the school’s Arts Leadership Team to progress monitor and execute the school’s strategic plan.
Admissions/Recruiting
- Lead all annual district-wide elementary outreach, recruitment efforts, and audition planning for the school
- Steward positive relationships with key Central Office Departments, especially the Department of Arts Education, the Office of Access and Enrollment, and the Office of College and Career Success to ensure streamlined and supportive admissions processes
- Coordinate audition logistics for the school, including setting audition requirements, scheduling, rubric development, and GoCPS matters
Student Support
- Work directly with students and counselors to promote a sustained “five year plan” for each student, culminating in actionable, arts-rich postsecondary plans
- Proactively provide student supports (e.g., MTSS, other academic interventions) for students who are off-track or need additional support to achieve their goals
Special Events and Arts Partnerships
- Act as liaison between all community arts organizations and the school’s programs, fostering new partnerships and deepening existing opportunities
- Source and plan extracurricular opportunities for students across all artistic disciplines, including field trips, workshops, master classes, and in-school performances
- Actively create experiences for ChiArts students that support future goals and options for postsecondary success (including but not limited to internships, professional auditions, creating/managing portfolios, etc.)
Program Coordination
- Support program coordination and communication with arts teachers in four artistic disciplines (dance, theater, music, and visual art)
- Work with arts teacher team to ensure their activities, curricula, and instruction fall in alignment with mission/vision
- Build and maintain a schoolwide culture of art, including pop-up events and exhibitions, and activating school-wide art-making opportunities outside of the Fine and Performing Arts program.
- Manage space/venue usage, schedule performances, and coordinate all venue rentals
Communications
- Maintain a regular communications system with the school’s parents, students, and broader community, including new
- Act as a liaison between the school and the surrounding community including communication with the Alderman and Chamber of Commerce
- Create and distribute media campaigns around admissions and recruiting events
- Maintain regular social media presence and update webpage
- Manage and promote performances, shows, field trips and ChiArts calendar
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Fine and Performing Arts Program Administrator (School-Based) must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- BFA or other arts-rich degree preferred
Experience Required
- Minimum of 5 years of experience managing school, youth or community-focused programs and large-scale projects from start to finish as project lead.
- At least 2 years of experience in an arts or arts education-focused role is strongly preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Significant knowledge of the foundational concepts within the contemporary arts education landscape, including the Illinois Arts Learning Standards, Studio Habits of Mind, etc.
- Strong understanding of the Chicago arts and cultural landscape, and the operational structures of Chicago Public Schools
- A strong commitment to equity within and access to a rigorous arts education
- Excellent organizational skill, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities at once
- Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, especially external partners and elected officials, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals
- Strong communication skills (speaking - including presentations - listening, and writing)
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and the Adobe Suite
Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:
- Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.
- Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing - Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly testing.
For Interested Candidates
This is a 52-week (non teaching) position.
