Cultural Arts Specialist

The Cultural Arts Specialist, under the general direction of the Cultural Arts Manager, will support the planning, implementation, creation and promotion of Cultural Arts Division community events. This position is expected to bring their creativity and innovation to assist the Cultural Arts Manager in developing events, activities, projects, initiatives and programs that engage the community in Lee’s Summit’s arts, culture and history.

Who We Are:
The Cultural Arts Division was established in 2018 and serves as the local arts agency for the City, serving as a primary resource for supporting the arts and culture ecosystem within the City and across the metro region. The Cultural Arts Division is focused on enhancing our community’s quality of life through the implementation of engaging arts and cultural programs for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. The Division is currently staffed by the cultural arts manager and the cultural arts specialist joins the team at an exciting time of energetic expansion and will provide integral support services to assist in the growth of the Division’s community-focused offerings.   
 
The Division works closely with the Cultural Commission as well as across multiple City departments and with the creative sector to execute the goals of the City’s Strategic and Cultural Plans. We thrive in a fast paced, highly creative and collaborative environment working towards solutions that elevate the creative sector. We value service excellence, integrity, and stewardship in all our actions. We cultivate a fun, supportive environment where thinking outside the box, collaborative brainstorming and envisioning what’s possible is a welcome addition to the team!

Job Summary:
The Cultural Arts Specialist, under the general direction of the Cultural Arts Manager, will support the planning, implementation, creation and promotion of Cultural Arts Division community events. This position is expected to bring their creativity and innovation to assist the Cultural Arts Manager in developing events, activities, projects, initiatives and programs that engage the community in Lee’s Summit’s arts, culture and history.
 
Job Scope:
May coordinate with volunteers and staff teams in the organizing of events.  Responsible for maintaining event budgets and assisting with development of the Cultural Arts Division budget under the supervision of the Cultural Arts Manager.
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Supports the planning and execution of a variety of Cultural Arts Division events, including but not limited to: Downtown Sculpture Walk, LS Arts Week, artists’ exhibits and receptions, by drafting artist contracts; securing venues, vendors and talent; preparing event timelines, budgets and reports; setting up for events; and serving as on-site staff point-of-contact for events.
2. Works with Cultural Arts Manager and Cultural Commission on the development and implementation of the cultural arts plan and City’s strategic plan.
3. Recommends new activities that actively engage the public in arts, culture and history/heritage experiences in collaboration with Cultural Arts Manager, Cultural Commission and community partners.
4. Write promotional content and coordinate with Creative Services Department to ensure that Division events are promoted effectively.
5. Establishes and maintains positive relationships with vendors, volunteers, community groups and other City departments to further Division goal and objectives.

 
Peripheral Duties:

1. Serves as a member of various employee committees, as assigned.
2. Attends and actively participates in meetings of the Cultural Commission and subcommittees, and various community functions and citizen groups meetings.
3. Performs all other duties as assigned.

 
Performance of The Essential Functions of This Position Requires:

• Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive reasoning.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently and to manage time effectively, determine priorities, recall directions and details, and to follow-through to complete performance of essential functions.
• Ability to effectively prioritize project assignments, track and report project status for multiple projects.
• Ability to support an ethical, non-discriminatory and safe work environment.
• Ability to work indoors and occasionally outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Ability to set up and break down events with and without assistance depending on the situation.

 
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar or related to the position.
 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be 18 years old at time of employment
2. Must be a United States citizen or authorized alien worker
3. Valid state Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and acceptable driving record required
4. Bachelor’s degree in fine or performing arts, arts education, arts administration, or relatable field
5. Minimum of three (3) years of experience in executing educational, outreach or community engagement programming in the areas of arts, culture and/or history.
6. Experience in any of the following or similar: public art administration, nonprofit arts administration, arts education, community events, or multi-disciplinary cultural programming
7. Must be available to work occasional nights, weekends, holidays as necessary

• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

 
 
NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of software including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation applications.
2. Ability to guide, train, direct, and motivate others.
3. Ability to organize and supervise volunteers.
4. Ability to adhere to timelines to ensure the successful execution of events.
5. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, vendors or the public as needed.

 
Principal Working Relationships:
Interacts and works with coworkers and other City employees, Cultural Commission members and the general public.
 
Tools and Special Equipment:
Computer, including Microsoft Office suite software and other standard office equipment.
 
Physical Classification:
The physical requirements of this position qualify as:

• Light:  Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to raise or lower objects from one level to another, transport an object, exert force upon an object so that it moves away from or toward the force, or otherwise move objects. If the use of controls requires exertion of force greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

 
 
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands required to perform the essential functions of this position include the ability to:
 

• Move self between work stations, sites and locations to accomplish assigned tasks with or without accommodation
• Ascend and descend to various heights/depths using variety of ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, or similar equipment necessary to perform the essential functions. Agility is emphasized
• Reposition self to effectively perform essential functions at all levels, heights, and depths, some with restrictive space or limited access and some requiring holding positioning for extended periods of time
• Utilize computers and other electronic devices associated with essential functions to collect, enter and retrieve data by means of typing, keyboarding or other available methods of data entry/retrieval
• Frequently raise, lower, move, transport, position, place, install and remove items of various weights
• Exert/apply adequate force to move items of various weights upward, forward, downward and outward in any direction
• Exert/apply adequate force in a sustained motion to draw, haul or tug items of varying weights in any direction
• Maintain stationary, upright position for extended periods of time

• Express or exchange ideas verbally and to convey detailed information or complex instructions to others accurately, loudly and/or quickly

• Communicate via receiving, comprehending and transmitting complex and detailed instructions or information in oral or written formats and to follow-through to complete required essential functions
• Physically operate motor vehicle as required to obtain and maintain valid state motor vehicle operator’s license

 
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position include:
 

• Activities occur both inside and outside.