Art Programs Manager

City of Atlanta; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Atlanta seeks an Airport Art Programs Manager to lead public art projects at ATL. You will oversee commissions, manage exhibitions, and coordinate with Marketing to align art with Atlanta's identity and global connections.

The role requires a strong background in art programs, budgeting, and stakeholder management, with a focus on engaging diverse audiences and supporting international perspectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with coursework in art, art history, business administration or public administration; 5 years of related experience.
• Experience coordinating public art programs and projects similar to those at major venues.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across departments and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Commission artists, manage artist roster, oversee contracting and installation.
• Coordinate rotating exhibitions and partnerships with museums and galleries.
• Develop and manage art budgets and project timelines.

Skills

Art program leadership

Public speaking

Cross-functional collaboration

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor's degree in art, art history, business administration or public administration

Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or Architecture

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

PowerPoint

Job description

Airport Art Programs Manager

Salary Range: $75,500-84,000.00

Posting expires: 10.15.2026

Description

The Airport Art Programs Manager develops and manages public art projects, exhibitions, and experiences that strengthen the Airport’s sense of place, reflect Atlanta’s identity, and express ATL’s role as a global gateway. The Art Program is part of the Marketing division within the Department of Aviation (DOA), and this position works under the direction of Marketing leadership. As a member of Marketing’s storytelling team, the manager connects the collection and programming to Atlanta’s history, culture, communities, and creative talent while creating opportunities for global storytelling, cultural exchange, and discovery through art. The manager develops a program that engages diverse audiences, introduces local and international perspectives, and enriches the passenger experience. Responsibilities include supervising two Art Coordinators, coordinating stakeholders, managing the care and quality of permanent and rotating artwork, and developing and managing art budgets and implementation schedules.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties

• - Commissions artists to create new site-specific artwork in and around the Airport. Maintains the Airport artist roster, invites proposals, coordinates the Artist Review Panel and contracting process, and oversees fabrication, transportation, and installation. Develops project briefs that strengthen the Airport’s sense of place and explore Atlanta’s identity, global connections, and the passenger experience while supporting artistic quality and integrity.
• - Manages rotating exhibitions for the Airport’s display cases to enhance the passenger experience and create a sense of place. Identifies exhibit themes that explore Atlanta’s culture, history, communities, and creative talent alongside international art, cultural perspectives, and stories of connection. Develops partnerships with museums, galleries, artists, cultural organizations, and private collectors to procure art and artifacts; coordinates loans, exhibit design, interpretation, and installation.
• - Collaborates with Marketing’s storytelling team to identify how the collection, exhibitions, and artist partnerships can support campaigns, cultural moments, and passenger experiences. Recommends art connections that reflect Atlanta’s heritage and evolving creative culture, introduce global perspectives, and reinforce ATL’s role in connecting Atlanta with the world.
• - Works with architects, engineers, design teams, and Marketing colleagues to integrate art into new and existing Airport facilities. Identifies opportunities for artwork and interpretive elements to strengthen the sense of place, express ATL’s local identity and global reach, and complement the passenger journey.
• - Manages the Airport’s Youth Art Galleries by procuring new artwork for rotating exhibitions every three months. Identifies work, coordinates installation and promotion, and develops opportunities to highlight young artists and connect the program with local schools and communities.
• - Manages exhibitions for the Airport Atrium Gallery in accordance with the approved exhibition calendar. Identifies artwork, artists, and themes; coordinates and supervises installations; and partners with Marketing colleagues to promote each exhibition and its contribution to Atlanta’s identity, global storytelling, and the passenger experience.
• - Manages the care and maintenance of the Airport’s permanent and rotating artwork.
• - Develops educational and interpretive programs that help passengers understand and engage with the Airport’s art. Creates opportunities for tours, artist talks, receptions, and other art experiences that connect audiences with Atlanta’s stories, international cultures, and shared human experiences.
• - Develops short- and long-term Art Program goals and an exhibition and project calendar aligned with Marketing priorities, ATL’s brand story, and the passenger experience. Plans a mix of local and international perspectives that reflects the Airport’s identity and global role.
• - Develops art projects and experiences that humanize the Airport environment, express Atlanta’s identity, and invite exploration of global cultures. Creates meaningful moments of discovery and connection for passengers, employees, and visitors.
• - Supervises two Art Coordinators, establishes work assignments and priorities, balances workloads, and monitors progress against project schedules and program goals. Provides coaching and development, addresses employee concerns and performance issues, and completes performance appraisals in accordance with City policies.
• - Oversees consultants and contractors engaged for Art Program projects and operations, including defined scopes, deliverables, schedules, budgets, and quality standards.
• - Responds to public inquiries concerning the Airport’s artwork, exhibitions, and Art Program activities.
• - Communicates regularly with assigned staff to share information, coordinate work, resolve issues, and maintain timely program delivery.
• - Partners with Marketing and Communications colleagues to develop exhibition narratives, interpretive content, promotional materials, media information, and digital storytelling that increase awareness of the Art Program and communicate ATL’s Atlanta identity and global connections.
• - Monitors Art Program performance against established goals, including project delivery, collection care, audience engagement, and contribution to the passenger experience. Uses findings to recommend improvements.
• - Identifies and resolves problems or complaints related to artwork, exhibitions, and Art Program activities; escalates issues requiring leadership action.
• - Monitors Art Program budgets and expenditures, maintains accurate financial records, and coordinates procurement and invoice review to ensure work remains within approved budgets and applicable requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• - Ability to learn the principles, practices, and procedures of the City and the operations and functions of the Department of Aviation and Marketing division.
• - Has considerable knowledge of management practices, policies, and procedures as necessary to complete daily responsibilities
• - Can develop and administer policies, procedures, plans and activities and to monitor performance of subordinates against measured established goals
• - Can effectively communicate (both in written and verbal forms) and interact with subordinates, management, cross-functional team members, employees, members of the public and all other groups involved in the activity of the city as they relate to the Department of Aviation.
• - The ability to prepare clear presentations with PowerPoint and well-written briefings
• - Ability to identify questions, seek subject matter expertise, and resolve unfamiliar curatorial, design, or project management situations.
• - Knowledge of public art, exhibition development, interpretation, and collection care.

Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience

Bachelors degree with major coursework in art, art history, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field. (Equivalent professional experience may be considered for substitution for the required degree on an exception basis). 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience involving the development and coordination of public art programs and projects similar to those administered by the Aviation Department.

Preferred Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Architecture, or comparable field of study; Master’s degree preferred; eight years of managing special projects programs (i.e., fine arts, art exhibitions, etc.), or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Fine Arts and knowledgeable in the managing of airport art programs

Licensures and Certifications

N/A

Essential Capabilities and Work Environment

Required physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with job.

The typical work environment is in a Department of Aviation office. However, the proponent is expected to visit projects in the field under all weather conditions. The proponent is also expected to visit project sites at night or on weekends as work and project circumstances dictate.