Folklife Director - NCAC60083916

Natural and Cultural Resources; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Arts Council within the DNCR seeks a Folklife Director to lead the Folklife Program’s development and management for traditional artists and arts organizations. You will set priorities, supervise staff and interns, and partner with other agencies to advance folklife initiatives statewide.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and at least three years in related arts administration, with strong grant management, program development, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art, English, one of the performing arts or arts administration, depending upon specific area of program assignment, and three years of experience directly related to the program area of assignment; two of which must be in a consultative/administrative capacity within an arts organization.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the portfolio of grant offerings tailored to discipline‑specific arts organizations and other organizations that provide arts programs in folklife and related areas; update grant guidelines and develop communications plans; host virtual office hours and webinars to help applicants navigate guidelines.
• Monitor all grantees in the Folklife Program and review final reports; conduct site visits for high-risk grantees; contract outside evaluators when needed; assist Grants Office in collecting components of grant contracts; approve revised budgets and send rejection letters to underfunded applicants.
• Develop professional resources and technical assistance for artists and discipline-specific organizations; collaborate with statewide service organizations to identify needs and partnerships.
• Meet with individuals to discuss professional opportunities in the arts and cultural sector; cover topics including funding, governance, and marketing.
• Supervise a summer intern and any interns or vendors; ensure work plans and deliverables are met; process related invoices.

Skills

Grant administration

Program management

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 3 years experience

Job description

Agency Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources Division Arts Council Job Classification Title Arts Program Administrator (NS) Position Number 60083916 Grade NC12

About Us The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) enriches people's lives through education and stewardship of North Carolina's natural and cultural resources. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo, the Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, the North Carolina Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. These programs and places unite North Carolinians, create a shared identity, and provide common ground. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.

Description of Work

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) North Carolina Arts Council Division is seeking a Folklife Director. The Folklife Director oversees the development and management of programs benefiting artists and discipline‑specific arts organizations that benefit the folklife infrastructure of the state, serving traditional artists, local communities, arts organizations, government agencies, universities, public schools, and the general public. This position establishes priorities for the Folklife Program in alignment with the agency’s strategic plan, maintains existing partnerships in the field prioritizing the monitoring of grantees, creates new opportunities for collaboration, and supervises the Folklife and Arts Administration Intern.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the portfolio of grant offerings tailored to discipline‑specific arts organizations and other organizations that provide arts programs in the areas of folklife, indigenous, authentic, and emergent forms of culture for preservation of rural and traditional communities. Work with the Deputy Director and Marketing Team to update written grant guidelines for each relevant grant category and develop a communications plan for the aforementioned grant guidelines roll‑outs, aligning the effort with the grant guidelines held by other teams. Oversee the work of the Folklife Program in hosting virtual office‑hours and webinars to help potential applicants understand the guidelines and navigate the application forms.
• Oversee the monitoring of all grantees assigned to the Folklife Program, using the guidance provided on the Risk Assessment worksheet. Oversee the timely review of all final reports assigned to the Folklife Program. Conduct site visits to grantees that are determined to be high risk. As needed, contract with outside site‑evaluators to conduct a visit and prepare a report about the activities of a grantee. Assist the Grants Office in collecting components of the grant contracts from the folklife grantees in portfolio. Approve all revised budgets for grantees that didn’t receive full funding and send rejection letters to applicants in portfolio that didn’t receive funding.
• Develop and implement professional resources and technical assistance opportunities for individual artists and discipline specific arts organizations, such as artist workshops or technical assistance grant funding for a group to conduct strategic planning. Collaborate with discipline specific Statewide Service Organizations to identify needs and priorities of the field and seek opportunities to partner on the design and implementation of professional resources for artists and discipline specific organizations.
• Meet with individuals to provide general assistance and information regarding professional opportunities in the arts and cultural sector. These meetings cover a range of topics including but not limited to funding, board and governance, opportunities for sharing work, and marketing.
• Supervise the work of one summer intern to ensure that agency goals and annual workplans are implemented. Develop work plans that emphasize support for the arts field and provide ongoing coaching and direction through frequent individual meetings. Supervise any interns, contracted vendors, and individuals hired to complete specific tasks for the Folklife Program. Complete all necessary paperwork, monitor the successful implementation of deliverables, and process invoices for payment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $47,703 - $69,000

Position/Physical Requirements

Typical work schedule is Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:30 pm. Evening and weekend work required occasionally during the year. Travel in state and occasionally out of state is required. This position is deemed eligible for hybrid telework under DNCR’s Telework Policy. This position is located at: 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in art, English, one of the performing arts or arts administration, depending upon specific area of program assignment from an appropriately accredited institution and Three years of experience directly related to the specific program area of assignment, two of which must have been in a consultative or administrative capacity within an arts organization; or An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Division Description

The mission of the North Carolina Arts Council is arts for all people. The North Carolina Arts Council builds on our state’s long‑standing love of the arts, leading the way to a more vibrant future. The Arts Council is an economic catalyst, fueling a thriving nonprofit creative sector that generates $2.12 billion in annual direct economic activity. The Arts Council also sustains diverse arts expression and traditions while investing in innovative approaches to artmaking. The North Carolina Arts Council has proven to be a champion for youth by cultivating tomorrow’s creative citizens through arts education.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job‑related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence. We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.CONTACT INFORMATION: N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Division of Human Resources 109 E. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 Phone: [phone] EEO Statement The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.