CULTURAL AFFAIRS COORD II
City of Chicago
An application made for this job — a tailored resume and cover letter that speak straight to the posting.
Job summary
City of Chicago seeks a Cultural Affairs Coordinator II to produce programs, events, and festivals in the Performing Arts division. This senior role collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and city departments to showcase talent at venues like the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park.
The role requires strong program development, event management, budgeting, and communication skills, with extensive coordination across stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Six (6) years of work experience in program development, OR
- Six (6) years of work experience in administration in visual/performing/creative arts programming, OR
- Bachelor's degree in related field plus two (2) years of relevant experience
- Master's degree in related field plus one (1) year of relevant experience
Responsibilities
- Lead Programmer for assigned events, managing concepts, schedules, descriptions, marketing content, and contracts
- Coordinate logistics for events, including venue setup, lighting, sound, and accessibility
- Negotiate artist fees and manage contracts and evaluation reports
- Oversee budgets, invoices, and financial tracking for programs and events
- Collaborate with internal teams and city departments to secure permits and licenses
- Develop marketing materials and assist in grant proposals and reporting
Skills
Education
Job description
CULTURAL AFFAIRS COORD II Job Number: 418546
Number of Positions: 2
Starting Salary: $71,772.00
Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 10/15/2026
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city - to strengthen and celebrate Chicago.
DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city - serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago.
Cultural Affairs Coordinator II, Performing Arts position works at the senior level to produce programs, special events and festivals managed by DCASE and the City of Chicago. The position works with musicians, performers, artists, arts organizations, arts communities, city contractors, event specialists and various technicians to showcase the talent of local, national, and international performances at the Chicago Cultural Center, outdoor spaces, and other venues throughout the City. In this capacity, the position will perform the following duties:
- Serve as the lead Programmer of assigned special events, programs, and festivals by managing all performance aspects, including developing programmatic concepts, meeting schedules, project descriptions, marketing content, performance schedules, negotiating artist fees, contracts, and evaluation reports
- Events may include Dr. Martin Luther King Breakfast, Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Chicago House Music Festival, World Music Festival, Millennium Park Summer Music Series, Taste of Chicago, Chicago SummerDance, Tree Lighting Ceremony, New Year's Eve Celebration, and other programs, special events, and festivals as assigned
- Confer and work with internal and external stakeholders, including the program director of performing arts, program director of production, deputy commissioner of programming, city departments, performers, talent agencies, managers, directors, technicians, partners, sponsors, media, composers, choreographers, technical contractors, arts organizations, venues, studio owners, and others as needed
- Manage the planning and coordination of programs and events to ensure the implementation of activities. Manage meetings, prepare necessary materials, participate in internal planning meetings, interdepartmental meetings, and external meetings. Ensure meeting follow-up and next steps with key stakeholders
- Coordinate and advance program logistics, including scheduling, venue setup, staging, lighting, sound, seating, accessibility accommodations, and on-site supervision in partnership with the production team
- Oversee programs, review performance and program descriptions in advance to determine technical needs, provide feedback, discuss areas for improvement, and make recommendations on effectiveness and future programming to ensure artistic needs and department rules are followed and programs remain within budget
- Oversee digital and archival documents of relevant artist roster, current and past productions of concerts, festivals, and special events. Maintain computer databases, files, records, contracts, performance schedules, production timelines and scopes of services
- Work with various DCASE teams and other city departments, such as the contracts team in the procurement process to negotiate service contracts, develop scopes of work for solicitations, and confirm budget allocations and contractor ordering when contracts are awarded
- Collaborate with the Operations and Permits team in overseeing the acquisition of permits, insurances, and licensing to ensure the public's safety at events
- Support DCASE's marketing and communications team to develop marketing materials, provide copy, obtain artist information, and share event details and creative feedback to publicize programs and events
- Assist in researching, supporting, and writing grant proposals and reporting deliverables for respective programs in partnerships with Finance and Development and Cultural Grants and Resources teams
- Provide timely updates and final reports of assigned programs and events that include budget information and metrics related to attendance, impact, and partner engagement
- Manage and oversee all assigned program budgets and related expenses. Review the accuracy of invoices for payment, contracts, and updates, and track program budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility
- Perform outreach to the city's arts and cultural communities to seek recommendations of artists and performers for upcoming events
- Research and identify industry trends to assess and inform programming strategies to develop new arts programming and support continuous improvements, as required
- Represent the City at speaking engagements, conferences, public forums, and cultural showcases to promote programming, provide information on local arts related resources, and build relationships across communities as needed
- Perform related duties as required
Additional duties may be required for this position.
LOCATION: Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
HOURS: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday
Must be flexible to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays for festivals, events, and programs. Work indoors and occasionally outdoors in extreme weather conditions and noise.
THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE
THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE
- Six (6) years of work experience in program development, OR
- Six (6) years of work experience in administration experience in the area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming, OR
- Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in Fine Arts, Arts Administration, Liberal Arts, or a directly related field, PLUS four (4) years of program development or administration experience in an area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming, OR
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree Fine Arts, Arts Administration, Liberal Arts, or a directly related field, plus two (2) years of program development or administration experience in an area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming, OR
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Fine Arts, Arts Administration, Liberal Arts, or a directly related field, PLUS one (1) year of program development or administration experience in an area of visual arts, performing arts or creative arts programming
NOTE: You must provide your transcripts or diploma at the time of processing
- Bachelor's degree in Music, Dance, Theater, Liberal Arts, Arts Administration, Communications, or an arts related field
- Minimum of three (3) years of work experience producing live events, festivals, and/or a performance series at an established cultural arts institution or indoor/outdoor public space
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with the public
- Multi-lingual - Spanish speaking preferred
This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a written exercise as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected.
Chicago's art, music, dance, theater, multidisciplinary media, and culture landscape. Current programming practices, including administration, design, and development. Proficiency and competency with computer and technology platforms. Methods, tools, and techniques used to plan, organize and project manage events and performances. Familiarity of Chicago's 77 communities, areas, and neighborhoods.
Manage multiple projects at once. Comprehend and communicate complex issues. Exercise tact and diplomacy. Work collaboratively and as part of a diverse team. Develop tools and guide processes. Communicate with diverse stakeholders.
Research, writing, and analysis. High level of proficiency in written and verbal communication. Organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Strong project management and time management skills.
- Able to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and some holidays.
Work indoors and occasionally outdoors in extreme weather conditions and noise. General office environment, using standard office equipment
For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html
For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at: City of Chicago:: Classification and Pay Plan
Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.
To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor
Job Posting: Oct 1, 2026, 5:00:00 AM
Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External: Oct 16, 2026, 4:59:00 AM
BU: 10 | Salary: $71, 772 Pay Basis: Yearly
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
