Skip to main content

Employment

Outreach and Accessibility Manager

Job Posting— July 25, 2024

The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Inc. (SEMAC) is currently accepting applications for the position of Outreach and Accessibility Manager.

Overview

The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) is seeking a full time Outreach and Accessibility Programs Manager to work collaboratively with SEMAC staff and Board to ensure individuals and organizations throughout the 11-county region are aware of its grants, workshops, services, and other programs, and that these opportunities are accessible to all. This is a new position for the
organization that will involve building upon existing, as well as establishing new, partnerships, programs, and services to better serve artists and arts organizations throughout the region. The person in this position reports to the Executive Director and works as a member of the SEMAC team to deliver programs, grants, and services that support and advance thriving arts communities throughout Southeastern Minnesota.

About SEMAC

SEMAC exists to encourage, promote, and assist regional arts development by
providing leadership, outreach, advocacy, mentorship, grants, and services.

Established in September 1977, SEMAC is part of a state-wide system of eleven Regional Arts Councils (RACs). Each RAC is an autonomous, grassroots organization designated to assess arts needs, develop programs and services to meet those needs, and distribute grants to fund arts programs in their region.

The primary funding source for each RAC is an allocation from the Minnesota State Legislature, made possible through the 25-year clean water, land, and legacy amendment to the Minnesot Constitution passed in 2008. The RACs work in partnership with the Minnesota State Arts Board to increase access to and participation in the arts, broaden arts awareness, and ensure equitable distribution of legislative arts funding.

SEMAC serves Region 10, which includes Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona Counties.

Responsibilities

Outreach:

  • Work with schools, businesses, libraries, history centers, arts organizations, service organizations, and others to foster partnerships to efficiently and effectively serve the arts needs in the region.
  • Reach out to individual artists in Region 10 to inform them of key opportunities provided by SEMAC and other regional, state, and national organizations, and assist them to fully utilize SEMAC’s programs and services.
  • Attend arts events throughout the region as a representative of SEMAC.
  • Participate in trainings and other development opportunities with regional, state, and national interest groups to develop relationships and ensure SEMAC follows best practices.
  • Present information sessions and workshops about SEMAC to raise awareness of our programs and services.
  • Assist Executive Director with recruitment of Board and Arts Advisory Panel members.
  • Offer SEMAC grant writing workshops and create tutorial videos on the grant process for individual artists and organizations.
  • With the Executive Director and Communications Manager, determine and develop the contents of SEMAC’s monthly e-newsletter, social media posts, direct e-mails, flyers, etc.

Accessibility:

  • Manage existing and develop new partnerships with organizations to provide translation services and grant coaching for non-English and limited English speakers.
  • Recruit and train grant coaches who can work with first-time applicants, rural artists, etc. who may need help with their grant applications.
  • Ensure that all SEMAC programs, activities, and grant applications are accessible to all residents in Southeastern Minnesota, including the deaf and blind, people with disabilities,neuro-divergent individuals, people without access to the internet or a computer, non-English or limited English speakers, etc.

Programs, Services, and Special Projects

  • Develop and/or identify existing professional development workshops for individual artists and training workshops for arts organizations.
  • Update and manage the availability and distribution of resources for individual artists and for organizations.
  • With the Executive Director and a committee of the Board, coordinate the creation, distribution, and evaluation of Needs Assessment surveys every two to four years. And, using these findings and other information to understand the needs of our constituents, translate those needs into effective SEMAC programs and services.
  • Assist Executive Director with the development of new programs and services.
  • Examples of special projects include working with the Executive Director to plan for the celebration of SEMAC’s 50th anniversary (2027) and working on advocacy efforts to ensure the renewal of the Legacy Amendment (set to expire in 2033).

Administrative Support:

  • Provide support with internal communications and document sharing, including with staff and board members.
  • Assist with other tasks as assigned.

Position Information

The Outreach and Accessibility Programs Manager position is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with a base salary of $60,000 – $65,000 per year plus health insurance, paid vacation (13 days accrued during the first year), paid sick leave (13 days accrued), paid holidays (12 per year), contributions to a retirement account, and opportunities for professional development.

The person in this position will maintain a flexible schedule, which may include occasional nights and weekends, and is required to be in the office at least three days a week.

Qualifications or Requirements

  • A minimum of 5 – 10 years of experience in program development and/or management with arts organizations and/or philanthropic or public institutions supporting the arts.
  • A proven ability to develop, maintain, and grow mutually beneficial working relationships with a broad range of individuals, groups, and organizations at various stages in their development.
  • Demonstrated history of a respect for and advancement of cultural inclusion.
  • History of strong work performance and a commitment to client service.
  • Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Strong computer skills, including demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Suite and Google Workspace. Experience creating and/or updating websites is a plus.
  • Ability to speak a second language is a plus (especially Spanish, Hmong, Karen, or Somali).
  • Knowledge of the 11-county region served by SEMAC is a plus.
  • The candidate must live in the SEMAC region or be able to move into the region within three months after their start date.
  • Access to a reliable vehicle to be able to travel throughout the region. (Mileage will be reimbursed at the current Federal rate, which in 2024 is $.67.)

How to Apply

This position will remain open until filled with priority given to candidates who apply by Monday, August 26, 2024. The ideal start date for this position is Monday, October 14.

To apply, submit a cover letter (pdf), resume (pdf), and three professional references via Google Forms at this link: https://forms.gle/pcU8GLYhoCjDUfQ57.

SEMAC is an equal opportunity employer.

You will be asked for your name, contact information, a brief description of why you are interested in the position, and up to three references (two are required). You also will be required to upload a pdf of your resume.

Questions?

Please contact Anastasia Shartin, Executive Director, at director@semac.org or 507-281-4848.