Teen Programs Manager

Reports To: Director of Education
Position Status: Full-Time, exempt

ABOUT THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER:

MISSION STATEMENT: Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) is a lab for understanding ourselves, others, and the world around us through the experience and creation of all contemporary art forms.

CAC BACKGROUND: CAC was founded in 1939 by three women with their eyes on the future. Today, our purpose is to champion open minds and foster an inclusive culture by using contemporary art and mutual learning as vehicles for connecting people, cultivating creativity, and catalyzing curiosity. CAC now operates on a ~$4M annual operating budget and offers 4 – 5 significant exhibitions per year, including group and solo exhibitions originated by CAC curator(s), guest curators, and touring exhibition partners. It is the oldest non-collecting contemporary art center in the country and one of the largest, occupying an 80,000 sq. ft. building, with approximately 22,000 sq. ft. devoted to exhibition and performance space. CAC is poised to continue its 86-year legacy of being the premier venue for contemporary art in the Greater Cincinnati region with a recently completed strategic plan that will serve as its programmatic and operational blueprints for the next 5 years.

LOCATION: CAC is located in an architectural gem in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art was heralded by The New York Times as “the most important American building to be completed since the end of the cold war” and was lauded for its community- centric approach to the design process.

SALARY, BENEFITS, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: This FT position works 40 hours a week, Monday – Friday with some weekend hours on occasion. FT staff work on-site Wednesday – Friday with the option to work off-site Mondays and Tuesdays as responsibilities allow. Due to the CAC’s teen programming schedule, the Teen Programs Manager must work Wednesday and Thursday evenings till 6:30pm. The annual salary is $38,000 and benefits include medical, vision, dental, and paid parental leave; access to retirement savings; generous vacation time, sick/personal days, and paid holidays; and access to professional development opportunities, employee assistance program, CAC membership, and CAC Museum Shop and Cafe employee discounts.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates are asked to provide a single .pdf file including a cover letter and resume to Sara Hutslar, Director of Administration and Operations at shutslar@cincycac.org by Friday, April 10, 2026. Include “Application: Teen Programs” in the subject line.

RECRUITMENT & HIRING: The CAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) where all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, Veteran, or disability status.

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION
The Contemporary Arts Center believes that contemporary art thrives through a diversity of perspectives, experiences, and voices. We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and to fostering a workplace where all staff feel valued, supported, and able to contribute meaningfully to our mission.

We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and encourage individuals from communities historically underrepresented in the arts and nonprofit sectors to apply. We recognize that candidates bring varied experiences and paths to their work, and we encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification listed.

The Contemporary Arts Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Teen Programs Manager works to manage the scheduling and implementation of CAC’s teen focused programs, including C-YA Teen Council, Young Adult Lab, Teen Fellowships, and the Artist in Residence series. The position collaborates with local artists, community organizations, and art therapists, to provide creative opportunities for the CAC’s teen audience. Other responsibilities include working with the Education Director to organize the Teen Art Show and Teen Mural, as well as support for the Assistant Director of Gallery Education in the implementation of the Teen Docent program. The work schedule includes 40 hours a week, with evening hours required on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Some weekend hours needed on occasion. Other duties are performed as needed related to CAC support.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Serve as the main point of contact and advocate for the CAC’s teen audience. Manage and implement the programming schedule for teen-focused events, including working with local artists/studios, scheduling events, budget management, employing evaluations, and collecting needed data for grants.
• Manage the CAC’s educational Artist in Residence program, including working with the Education Director on the hiring and selection process of annual artists, ordering program supplies, handling artist contracts, and facilitating the program alongside the Artist in Residence.
• Oversee the CAC’s Teen Council program. Recruit and interview teens for council roles, schedule and organize the council workshops, provide guidance for teens during council meetings, and during the implementation of the council planned CAC events like Art Prom, the YA College and Career Fair, and the annual C-YA field trip.
• Manage and implement the CAC’s Young Adult Lab program which occurs every Thursday evening at the CAC. Work with artists and art therapists to develop creative and thoughtful art making activities designed to engage a young adult audience.
• Work collaboratively with the Education Director and Teen Council in the organizing and implementation of the Teen Art Show and Teen Mural.
• Oversee the hiring and management of the CAC’s paid Teen Fellows. Provide mentorship, skill building opportunities, and set clear goals and expectations for the Teen Fellow roles.
• Work collaboratively with the Education team to maintain the Creativity Center and Art Lab closets.

ALL OF THESE DUTIES ARE TO BE DONE WITH OVERALL CAC BUSINESS IN MIND. THE PERSON IN THIS POSITION WILL BE CONCIOUS OF OTHER CAC PROGRAMS, EXHIBITION NEEDS AND CAC POLICY AND PROCEDURES.

COMPETENCIES:
• Project Management—Develops project plans; coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget.
• Oral & Written Communication—Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates presentation skills; participates in meetings; able to read and interpret written information.
• Diversity—Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes a harassment-free environment.
• Organizational Support—Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization’s goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities.
• Innovation—Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas. Knowledge and experience in education, a far-reaching curiosity about contemporary art and its role in culture today, and a desire to inspire life-long appreciation for the arts in a broad and inclusive audience.
• Strategic Thinking—Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals. Understands organization’s strengths & challenges; analyzes field and competition; identifies external opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a museum, nonprofit, or education role is preferred. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of experience working with teens.
• Bachelor’s degree in art education, art history, studio arts, museum education, or a related field preferred. Art making background or experience in studio arts preferred.
• Training experience in de-escalation procedures recommended. Or a willingness to take de-escalation training.
• Must have excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Computer and word processing proficiency (such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Google Doc).
• Strong visitor service skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and occasional weekends. Monday, Tuesday, Friday 9-5pm. Wednesday and Thursday 10:30am-6:30pm.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about outside and inside the office and studio space to lead programs and tours with others, access art supplies, office machinery, etc.
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.