Program Specialist, Public Art

Description

OUR MISSION | REMARKABLE IMPACT

Remarkable impact is the heart of Foundation For The Carolinas’ mission, and the driving force behind our mission is the collective impact of thousands of nonprofits, families, companies, and organizations who partner with us to amplify the power of giving.  

The Arts & Science Council (ASC), a supporting organization of Foundation for the Carolinas, nurtures Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s cultural ecosystem by supporting local creatives and nonprofits. Its mission is to foster community retention, drive economic growth, and enhance residents' quality of life. As both a funder and fundraiser, ASC offers grants, manages public art, supports community-led programs like Culture Blocks, and provides educational programming for PreK–12 students. ASC’s work aims to remove barriers, ensure cultural access for all, and promote upward mobility.

HOW YOU’LL ADVANCE OUR MISSION | POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Program Specialist, Public Art is responsible for providing administrative support to, and managing resources for, the Public Art Program. This position serves as a primary point of contact for internal and external constituents, maintaining a professional demeanor while providing necessary information, documents and materials. The position assists in project management, coordinating artist selection processes, arranging meetings and events, and processing payments. The Program Specialist also assists in communications with the Public Art Commission, coordinating meetings and materials. This position reports to the Vice President, Public Art.

YOUR UNIQUE IMPACT | ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Public Art Program Project Support (60%)
  • Coordinate and support public art project meetings, artist selection panels, stakeholder consultations, and community engagement activities, including scheduling, agenda preparation, drafting presentations, meeting logistics, documentation, and follow-up tracking to ensure effective project communication and decision-making.
  • Support the full contract lifecycle for public art projects, including contract preparation, review, routing, execution, amendment processing, payment tracking, and contract closeout while ensuring compliance with procurement, legal, and financial requirements
  • Maintain program and project financial management by processing revenue and expense invoices, tracking budgets, expenditures, contracts, invoices, and payment schedules; maintaining accurate financial records; and providing regular budget status reports to public art project managers.
  • Manage and evaluate Public Art Program operations by overseeing records, databases, and project data - including updates to our inventory of completed projects; supporting policy and procedure development.
  •  Analyze and communicate program impact through reports, presentations, and data-driven storytelling.
  • Researching public art best practices and trends.
  • Collaborate across internal departments to advance organizational and community development goals

• Public Art Commission Management (20%):
  • Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Art Commission (PAC), coordinating meetings, agendas, materials, minutes, and follow-up actions.
  •  Manage PAC operations, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and applicable governance requirements.
  • Track PAC actions, approvals, and priorities to ensure timely implementation of public art projects and initiatives.
  •   Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and engagement of Public Art Commissioners.
  •  Maintain PAC records, correspondence, and documentation in accordance with organizational standards.
  •   Provide administrative and strategic support to advance PAC’s goals and the successful delivery of the Public Art Program. Including drafting our end-of-year reports to ASC’s Board of Directors, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, and the Charlotte City Council.

• Community/Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Building (10%):
  •  Serve as an initial point of contact for interdepartmental communications and all external clients, stakeholders, collaborators, and customers.
  • Act as a resource and advocate for the Public Art Program, connecting artists, communities, and stakeholders to the program.
  • Empower local artists by providing professional development resources and sharing opportunities.
  • Represent ASC at community meetings, workshops, and events.
  • Identify emerging needs and opportunities within the public art landscape of Mecklenburg County.

Working Conditions

• The ASC team works in a hybrid environment, with 4 days per week at the Foundation for the Carolinas office 
• This role will include frequent site visits to construction sites, artist studios, fabrication studios, etc. Must have access to reliable transportation. A mileage budget will be provided by ASC.
• This position requires attendance at events outside regular office hours, and the ability to occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.

Requirements

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR SUCCESS | QUALIFICATION 

• Education and Experience: Industry related  Bachelor’s degree and/or 3+ years of experience in visual arts related fields, arts administration, or executive assistance.
• Public Art Proficiency: Demonstrated knowledge of public art history, theory, and practice.
  • Familiarity with public art project management is highly desirable.
  • An enthusiasm and commitment to working collaboratively with team members, stakeholders, and communities.
  • A passion for connecting communities and artists to the work of the Public Art Program.
• Skills: Excellent communication skills (written and oral); thorough organizational skills (time-management, detailed record keeping, and resource management; rigorous planning and methodical task management; creative problem-solving; strategic thinking; and a proven commitment to delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Technology Proficiency: Proficient in MS Office Suite and video conferencing/team collaboration platforms (Teams, Zoom, etc.).
• Additional Qualifications: Strong commitment to service, ability to manage multiple priorities, and ability to work independently and collaboratively as needed to achieve project and program goals.