Position: Program Manager, Studio Programs
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Director of Programs
Start Date: September 1, 2026
MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
Project Create provides opportunities for creative youth development through accessible, multidisciplinary arts education to empower young people and amplify their voices. We collaborate with children, youth, and families in an inclusive and supportive community where art is healing and transformative.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Program Manager, Studio Programs reports to the Director of Programs and supports the management, development, implementation, and evaluation of Project Create’s Studio Programs at the Project Create Arts Center.
The Program Manager, Studio Programs provides: program management and leadership; community outreach and student engagement; data collection; development and communications support; and general program administration and support to Project Create’s Director of Programs in carrying out the organization’s mission.
This role directly supervises the Program Coordinator and provides day-to-day direction to teaching artists, studio assistants, volunteers, and interns.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Management & Administration (70%)
Program Alignment
- Oversee multi-disciplinary, curriculum-based arts education programs in alignment with organizational outcomes, best practices for positive youth development, and Project Create’s mission, vision, and values.
- Cultivate a youth-centered, culturally-competent, and trauma-informed learning environment.
- Supervise Studio program staff, including the Program Coordinator, teaching artists, studio assistants, volunteers, and interns.
- Enforce safety standards and adherence to studio use policies; provide for the upkeep of studio facilities and equipment to ensure that physical environments are safe, welcoming, and inspiring spaces.
Arts Programming & Teaching Artist Support
- Support Teaching Artists with curriculum development and lesson planning, including training, readiness resources, and educational tools.
- Identify and implement arts enrichment activities, including workshops and field trips to local arts institutions.
- Plan and support the annual student showcase exhibition and performances of student work to engage audiences, promote student artists, and increase program visibility.
- Support the Marketing Department by sharing programmatic knowledge, ideas, and story angles to inform marketing content and campaigns.
Administrative Records
- Maintain accurate program data in Jotform, Afterschool HQ, and spreadsheet trackers; generate reports for staff leadership.
- Manage and maintain documentation, including: Memorandum of Understanding; Independent Contractor Agreements & Scopes of Work; Teaching Artist/Volunteer/Intern applications; background checks; student registration and release forms; attendance records (Jotform & Afterschool HQ); invoices; supply lists; class surveys and evaluations; and special event permission slips.
Financial Management
- Participate in the development and management of the annual studio programs budget, and manage receipts and financial expense reports according to organizational guidelines.
- Manage art supply inventory; submit expense reports per organizational guidelines.
Community Engagement (20%)
- Recruit and retain student participants for studio programs.
- Develop and maintain community partnerships to support student recruitment for studio classes, as well as in-house programmatic partnerships.
- Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with students and families through effective communication efforts, including emails, phone calls, and social media.
- Liaise with the marketing team to generate, review, and suggest promotional content to effectively share program information and align with the program schedule.
- Identify, initiate, and deepen relationships with a wide variety of constituencies and community stakeholders.
Evaluation & Impact (10%)
- Collaborate with program staff to maintain data management systems and program evaluation processes, adhering to grant requirements.
- Manage survey administration and collection of programmatic data.
- Oversee collection of informal program evaluation materials, including student artwork samples, photographs, videos, and artist statements.
- Communicate collected data in clear, comprehensive reports, including semesterly program summaries that demonstrate Project Create’s programmatic outcomes and impact.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Required
- Highly motivated with strong managerial and leadership skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills to effectively work collaboratively with a variety of people in diverse communities.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, hands-on environment with limited resources.
- Thorough, accurate, organized, and detail-oriented approach to work.
- Culturally competent, with a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Ability to gain the respect and support of various constituencies, including students and families, board and staff members, donors, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to lead multiple long- and short-term projects simultaneously, meeting all related deadlines.
- Commitment to work collaboratively with Project Create’s leadership and program staff.
Preferred
- Enthusiastic advocate for accessible arts education as a means to positive youth development.
- Ability to present, inform, and motivate individuals and groups about Project Create’s mission and programs.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of local and national community arts education communities, as well as local and national homelessness and poverty advocacy communities.
- Computer literate, with working familiarity with Google Workspace and Adobe Creative Suite.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
- A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of study (e.g., Fine Art, Art History, Arts Management, Education) from a nationally accredited institution is required.
- An advanced degree or certification in Art Therapy, Nonprofit Management, Arts Management, Arts Education, Social Work, or a similar field is preferred.
- A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated leadership, mentoring, teaching, and/or training experience with students and teaching artists in an arts education organization is required.
- Management experience in an arts organization, museum, or public gallery, with studio and multi-use facility management, is preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- This is a full-time, exempt position; regular evening and weekend hours are required to support program schedules and events.
- Local travel between Anacostia studio and the greater Washington, DC metro area.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Ability to lift and carry art supplies and materials up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to stand, move, and actively engage with students in a studio setting for extended periods.
- Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary for this full-time position is $65,000 – $70,000 per year. A generous benefits package includes health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) match, telephone and mileage expense reimbursement, professional development opportunities, and a generous allowance of paid time off.
TO APPLY
Please email the following two items to applications@projectcreatedc.org with Subject Title: Studio Programs Manager
We do not need or want a cover letter or writing samples.
Instead
- Answers to the following questions:
- The Project Create Studio Programs Manager role is built on trust-based relationships with our teaching artists and program staff. How would you describe your management style when supervising teaching artists and program staff? Please share an example of how you have supported, coached, or developed a team member.
- Building strong relationships with students and families is central to Project Create’s mission. How would you cultivate trust and maintain positive, responsive relationships with students and families? Please share an example from your experience.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
Project Create is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind. Project Create is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.
All employment decisions at Project Create are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to age, race, color, religion or belief, sex, gender, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Project Create does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
Project Create encourages applicants of all ages.
This position description should not be construed to imply that the requirements are the sole standards for the position. Incumbents are expected to perform all other duties as required.
Have questions? Please contact applications@projectcreatedc.org
