Manager, Studio Programs

Detroit Institute of Arts; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit is seeking a Manager, Studio Programs to lead a team of teaching-artists, program assistants, and coordinators, shaping year-round art‑making experiences aligned with the museum's mission.

The role emphasizes collaboration across departments, partnerships with community arts organizations, schools, and other stakeholders, and a focus on inclusive, welcoming studio spaces for diverse visitors. Occasional remote work is available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, education, or related field.
• Five years of experience in education or museum setting.
• Two years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, mentor, develop and manage a team to meet department objectives.
• Create a collaborative work environment with goal setting and feedback.
• Facilitate programs and train team members on teaching philosophy and approach.
• Coordinate museum-wide programming with other departments.
• Develop partnerships with community arts organizations, schools, and others.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Public speaking

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, education, or related field

Tools

Office 365

Microsoft Teams

Job description

JOB TITLE: Manager, Studio Programs

DEPARTMENT: Studio Programs

REPORTS TO: Director, Studio Programs

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, Exempt

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY: Occasional

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the guidance of the Director, Studio Programs, the Manager, Studio Programs will manage the department's staff of teaching-artists, program assistants, and coordinators. The Manager will support the development and implementation of year-round, learner-centered art-making programs that meet the mission of the DIA and ensure studio spaces are well maintained and welcoming.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Recruit, mentor, develop and successfully manage a team to achieve the strategic objectives and the present and future needs of the department in alignment with the museum’s annual priorities and strategic vision.
• Create a collaborative work environment by using a performance support process including goal setting, feedback, and development.
• Facilitate programs and train other team members on departmental teaching philosophy and approach.
• Work collaboratively with other departments and divisions to coordinate museum-wide programming efforts.
• Support partnerships with community arts organizations, human service agencies, schools, and others so that studio programs address the needs and interests of community stakeholders through the development of guided art making experiences that tie into the permanent collection, special exhibitions, and programs
• Ensure DIA studio spaces are well maintained, welcoming, and safe for a broad array of visitors, regardless of age, ability, or art-making experience.
• Support the Director with the development, implementation, evaluation, and coordination of art-making programs.
• Facilitate training, workshops, and professional development programs in a variety of art making and pedagogical approaches that support engagement with the collection for diverse audiences.
• Develop non-school programs using a variety of art making and pedagogical approaches.
• Lead artmaking and learning experiences with all audiences.
• Foster, promote, and support Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) through the DIA values, active listening, embracing difference, and engaging with empathy to promote a culture of belonging among internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, education, or related field required. Five (5) years of experience in education or museum setting. Two (2) years of experience in a supervisory role is required. Additional years of experience may be substituted for degree requirement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must possess leadership skills and the ability to lead a diverse team to meet strategic goals supporting the museum strategy and vision.
• Demonstrated collaboration skills to work across departments and divisions internally and with diverse stakeholders externally.
• Understanding and demonstrated ability in art-making and instruction.
• Experience and knowledge of art-making processes and techniques in a variety of media.
• Experience working with artists and people of all ages who have little art-making experience, including audiences with special needs.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to changes in priorities based on operational need.
• Demonstrated organizational skills to plan, manage, prioritize, and complete multiple on-going projects tomeet deadlines and goals.
• Demonstrated ability to speak publicly, including presenting or sharing information in a clear, effective, and engaging manner suited to the audience.
• Must have demonstrated active listening and communication and presentation skills and an ability to communicate and provide instruction clearly to diverse individuals of all ages.
• Ability to identify challenges and opportunities, engage others in their resolution, and recommend appropriate course of action.
• Ability to calmly and professionally deescalate and resolve challenging situations with community arts organizations, human service agencies, schools, and other organizations.
• Ability to work regular weekend, evening, and holiday hours.
• Must be proficient in latest version of Office 365.
• Must have proficiency in the use of remote work technology such as scheduling with, connecting to, and using digital collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams.
• Must be able to establish and maintain professional, productive, and courteous interactions that promote positive teamwork. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

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. Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodations may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to perform occasional outdoor work year-round. Occasional travel for off-site programs within the tri-county area. Must be able to independently move to transport/move tables, chairs, and easels for set-up. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange accurate information using various methods including in-person, telephone and email.