Handcraft Programs Coordinator

American Swedish Institute; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 47,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The Handcraft Programs Coordinator at the American Swedish Institute leads and supports Nordic handcraft programming for children, families, and adults both on-site and off-site. You’ll coordinate instructors, volunteers, and events to ensure engaging, high-quality guest experiences.

You will develop curriculum, manage materials, and supervise staff to maintain safety and learning outcomes while collaborating with operations and marketing teams for campus events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Humanities/Arts, Education, Scandinavian Studies or equivalent experience.
• Knowledgeable, enthusiastic practitioner of traditional handcraft.
• 1–3 years teaching experience in experiential or folk education style programming.
• Experience working safely with children, youth, and adult learners.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to coordinate programs, staff, instructors, artists, and volunteers with clear instructions.
• Solid organizational skills with multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to exercise initiative and lead projects within budget.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to read and understand contracts and interact with diverse groups.
• Willing to work non-traditional hours including weekends/evenings.
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and develop the annual handcraft program plan with the Cultural Programs Manager.
• Serve as primary contact for teaching artists, staff, and volunteers during planning, execution, and closing.
• Adhere to budget and collect/maintain program content and materials.
• Coordinate administrative processes and ensure documents are signed.
• Maintain and improve documentation and evaluation for all programs.
• Collaborate with programs managers and marketing to promote programs and events.
• Support artist markets, demonstrations, and activities for major events.
• Support Malmberg Scholarship and Fellowship Program.
• Represent ASI at offsite events for community engagement.

Skills

Handcraft knowledge

Teaching experience

Program coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities/Arts, Education, Scandinavian Studies

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Description

Division/Department: Programs

Reports to: Cultural Programs Manager

Compensation: Range: $46,800-$59,280/annual

Grade 6

Educational Requirement: B.A. or Equivalent Experience

Exempt or Nonexempt: Exempt

Hourly or Salaried: Salaried

Hours Per Week: Full-time; 40 hours

Hybrid or On Site: Onsite minimum 3 days week. Hybrid as class schedule allows

Language proficiency: English. Proficiency/familiarity with another language is a plus but not required.

Schedule: Mon-Fri; weekends/evenings as needed for programming needs

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Handcraft Programs Coordinator is a member of the ASI Programs team and is responsible for supporting a range of handcraft programming including youth and school-based activities, adult education programs, and activities during campus-wide events.

The Handcraft Programs Coordinator develops and presents engaging program content for children, families, and adults, both on and off site. This role also coordinates on call staff, staff instructors, volunteers, and contracted artist instructors to work together to deliver exceptional guest experiences for all handcraft program participants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

PROGRAM COORDINATION

• Coordinate and develop the annual handcraft program plan, including creative ideas and improvements that increase audience participation in partnership with the Cultural Program Manager.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for teaching artists, staff instructors, and volunteers as a part of the program planning, execution, and closing processes.
• Adhere to the budget and program plan: collect, develop, and keep organized all handcraft program content and associated program materials.
• Coordinate administrative processes to ensure that all documents are reviewed and signed by all necessary parties prior to each program.
• Maintain and improve documentation and evaluation processes and materials for all handcraft programs.
• Collaborate with programs managers and marketing team to review marketing concepts and materials to promote programs and events.
• Support the Cultural Programs Manager in coordinating artist markets, demonstrations, and various activities for major events, including applications, vendor information, and logistics.
• Support the Cultural Programs Manager in coordinating and managing the Malmberg Scholarship and Fellowship Program.
• Represent ASI at offsite events for community engagement purposes.

PROGRAM DELIVERY

• Design and develop age-appropriate program curriculum that supports students’ understanding and appreciation of Nordic handcraft traditions, history, culture and techniques.
• Prepare and maintain materials and classroom spaces for all handcraft program needs.
• Present and teach Nordic Handcraft programs to a variety of audiences (children, families, and adults) onsite and offsite that inspire curiosity, embrace creativity and meet participants at their skill levels.
• Ensure safety protocols are followed while participants use tools and materials for programs.
• Provide excellent customer service for onsite and virtual program support while supervising the delivery of youth, family, and adult programs.

LOGISTICS

• Coordinate registration and ticketing plans with the Director of Operations and Operations Team to ensure that registrations, admissions and spaces are managed as planned.
• Ensure that programs are ready for execution by coordinating and scheduling program activities with ASI staff members, volunteers and contract instructors; including facilities and events/catering staff.
• Coordinate volunteers, contract instructors, guest artists, or other program contributors, including scheduling, communication, onboarding, and day of support.
• Support other special events, exhibition work, and programs across ASI’s campus and program plan as needed.

Other duties as needed or required

• Perform other duties as needed or required which are within the position's scope.

Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) are core functions of all positions at the American Swedish Institute. While some roles may have more specific responsibilities, the items below are a part of everyone's responsibilities:

• Demonstrate a commitment to DEAI through continuous personal development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing personal bias to help cultivate and promote a culture of inclusivity and belonging for all staff.
• Proactively work on your own and collaboratively with other staff to ensure equitable and representative experiences for all visitors and program participants.

Requirements

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities/Arts, Education, Scandinavian Studies with 2-4 years of experience in programming, teaching or a related field OR equivalent work experience.
• Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and skilled practitioner of traditional handcraft
• 1-3 years teaching experience in experiential or folk education-style programming.
• Experience working safely and effectively with children, youth, and adult learners, including the ability to follow organizational policies related to participant safety, supervision, and reporting concerns.
• Ability to work independently and part of a team in a collaborative and productive manner.
• Ability to coordinate programs and staff, instructors, artists, and volunteers with clear instructions and in a professional manner.
• Solid organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment with close attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise initiative and judgment as well as make decisions within scope of assigned authority.
• Proven ability to lead projects from planning phase through completion that are within budget.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to read and understand contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with a variety of cultural and socioeconomic groups.
• Able and willing to work non-traditional work hours as needed for programs and workshops that include occasional weekends and evenings.
• Proficient using MS Office Products to include Word, Excel, etc.

PREFERRED

• Interest in Nordic culture & languages, preferred
• Experience working in a culturally specific non-profit institution or museum.
• Experience working in a school setting.
• Experience with Customer Relations Management software, especially Blackbaud Altru.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; bend, use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and equipment, program supplies, and furniture, up to 25 pounds, move over uneven surfaces and lift objects overhead.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the staff member assigned to this position. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

OUR MISSION:

The American Swedish Institute’s mission is to inspire curiosity, embrace creativity, and grow community by exploring the past, present, and future of Swedish culture.

OUR VISION:

At ASI, we envision a future where communities, connected by stories and ideas from near and far, find inspiration and build a shared future.

OUR VALUES:

Relationships: The relationships we cultivate, both locally and globally, are at the core of our work. We build bridges across cultures and generations as we foster community and sustain lasting relationships over time.

Diversity: We believe that communities that hold and embrace diversity and change are vibrant, joyful, and resilient. We engage with the complexities, creativity, and the impacts of the interconnections among cultures and histories.

Curiosity: We believe that being open to reflection, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas can lead to innovation and transformation. We offer unique, varied experiences that pique curiosity, invite participation, encourage new ways of thinking, and deepen learning.

Stewardship: We value our individual and shared histories, honoring what has come before while remaining open to what is to come. We preserve this historic site and cultural center as well as the heritage, practices, and artifacts of Swedish and Swedish American cultures so all generations may explore and be inspired by them.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The American Swedish Institute provides equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, familial status, sex, gender identity and/or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.