Art in Public Places Administrator

City-of-Gaithersbur; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 63,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Gaithersburg is seeking a part-time Art in Public Places Administrator to develop, manage, and evaluate the AIPP program and related cultural arts initiatives. The role focuses on guiding ongoing projects to completion, maintaining the art collection, and planning new installations with robust documentation and grant management.

Ideal candidates will have a relevant bachelor’s degree, at least two years of public art administration experience, and strong writing, organizational, and

Qualifications

• Two years of public art administration or related coordination experience.
• Proven ability to prepare high-quality written materials (reports, contracts, grants).
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail.
• Valid driver's license; CPR/AED and First Aid certification may be obtained on hire.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and refine the AIPP program and related budgets.
• Oversee full-cycle project management from concept to closeout.
• Prepare reports, contracts, grants, and strategic plans.
• Liaise with art organizations, facilities, and artists.
• Coordinate RFQs and RFPs for public art opportunities.
• Maintain records, inventories, and maintenance schedules.
• Support outreach, communications, and project timelines.
• Respond to public inquiries and facilitate community meetings.

Skills

Project management

Written communication

Organizational skills

Public art experience

Contract management

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in Arts Administration, Public Administration, Fine Arts, Art History, Cultural Management, Urban Planning, or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

Project management tools

Job description

The Cultural Events & Services Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture is seeking a part-time Art in Public Places Administrator to develop, manage, coordinate, and evaluate the City's Art in Public Places (AIPP) program and associated cultural arts initiatives.

The Art in Public Places Administrator performs the full scope of duties associated with planning, coordinating, and administering the City's AIPP program. The primary focus of the position is to shepherd all existing, unfinished AIPP projects through to completion and installation, ensuring each progresses steadily to its final stage. Additionally, the successful candidate will develop and manage a comprehensive maintenance schedule for the City's current public art collection while also planning, coordinating, and implementing the introduction of one to two new public art pieces each year. The work requires identifying public art needs, managing the artist selection processes, preparing and overseeing project documentation, and administering grants and program resources related to public art initiatives.

Must be an exceptional writer and editor with strong organizational and project/program management skills and a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, particularly in preparing reports, contracts, and project materials. Must be able to work independently, exercising sound judgment and initiative while managing projects, deadlines, and program responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Approximately 6 to 8 hours per week, weekdays. Requires occasional work outside established business hours (evenings, weekends) to meet program needs. Starting hourly rate will be within the range ($38 to $46 per hour) and offered at a level consistent with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees. The City of Gaithersburg supports principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.

What you will do with us:

• Develop, manage, and continually refine the AIPP, including AIPP committee coordination, program procedures, Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and operating budgets, and all related public art projects.
• Perform full-cycle project management for AIPP projects from initial concept and planning through artist selection, fabrication, installation, documentation, and project closeout.
• Research, prepare, write, and present reports, contracts, grants, strategic plans, and all program documentation associated with AIPP initiatives.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with local, regional, state, and national art organizations, facilities, and artists, serving as a primary liaison for public art efforts.
• Research and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, policies, procurement requirements, and ordinances related to public art, collaborating with internal City departments, external agencies, and community organizations to facilitate successful art installations.
• Facilitate, negotiate, and administer contracts and agreements with artists, consultants, organizations, and businesses supporting public art projects and initiatives.
• Monitor compliance with grant requirements and provide timely, accurate reports and updates to grant‑making agencies or organizations.
• Coordinate community outreach and engagement efforts for public art projects, including public meetings, stakeholder outreach, and informational sessions.
• Support development of project timelines, scopes of work, and procurement materials, and assist with preparing and managing Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for public art opportunities.
• Maintain accurate records, databases, inventories, and documentation for the City’s public art collection, including ongoing maintenance and conservation needs.
• Monitor maintenance requirements for existing public art installations and coordinate conservation or repair efforts with appropriate City departments and external conservators.
• Provide administrative support for cultural arts initiatives and assist with evaluating program effectiveness and alignment with City goals.
• Respond to public inquiries regarding AIPP projects, serving as a central point of contact for project‑related communication.
• Support marketing and communications efforts, including project updates, website content, outreach materials, and other informational content promoting public art initiatives.
• Monitor and support implementation of AIPP‑related goals, strategies, and actions within the Cultural Arts Plan.
• Provide outstanding service, pursue continuous improvement, and exceed expectations.

What you will need to be considered:

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration, Public Administration, Fine Arts, Art History, Cultural Management, Urban Planning, or related field.
• At least two years of experience in public art administration, arts program coordination, project management, or related work in the arts or municipal sector.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects, coordinating with artists or contractors, and working with community groups or public agencies.
• Proven ability to prepare high quality written materials such as reports, contracts, grants, project documentation, or presentations.
• Excellent organizational, project/program management, interpersonal, time management, communication (verbal and written), marketing, and customer service skills.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in standard office software (Microsoft 365 applications) and project management tools; familiarity with design or visual communication software helpful but not required.
• Valid driver’s license
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification (may be obtained through the City upon hire).
• Or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform essential job duties and functions.

Your application should include your education history, relevant work experience (paid or volunteer), any pertinent skills, training, or certifications/licenses you have, and any additional information that might be relevant to the job you are applying for. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is strongly encouraged. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are identified or all hiring decisions have been made.

The successful candidate will be subject to a background check and drug/alcohol screening. The City has established an alcohol‑free, drug‑free, and smoke‑free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre‑employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post accident and random testing.

For more information about the position, contact Arts Barn Facility Manager Allison Clapp Fuentes at [e-mail] or 240.805.1287. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at [e-mail] or 301.258.6327.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 6 months.