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Community & Audience Programs Manager

How to Apply

You must apply through the U-M Jobs website (umjobs.org). In order to be considered, your application package must include a resume and cover letter, not to exceed one page, describing how this position fits with and advances your career goals.

What You'll Do

The Community and Audience Programs Manager will be responsible for managing ongoing community and audience engagement programs including building community relationships through arts programming; planning and implementing programs for adult learners and general audiences; contributing to the design of and providing on-site management for artist residencies, facilitating dialogue and interactions with a range of partner organizations; and serving as lead producer for 2-3 of UMS's main stage live performances annually. Candidates must be skilled at sensitively and respectfully developing relationships and building trust with individuals and organizations from communities historically excluded from and underrepresented in traditional performing arts; have a passion for creating meaningful learning and participatory experiences for performing arts audiences; and possess strong administrative and project management skills.

Who We Are

Now in its 146th season, UMS continues to showcase traditional performing arts alongside contemporary artists and is admired across the country for its boundary-pushing roster of artists and its curious and supportive audiences.

Housed on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, UMS is one of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country, committed to connecting audiences with performing artists from around the world in uncommon and engaging experiences. With a program steeped in music, dance, and theater, UMS contributes to a vibrant cultural community by presenting approximately 60-75 performances and over 100 free educational activities each season. UMS also commissions new work, sponsors artist residencies, and organizes collaborative projects with local, national, and international partners.

UMS was selected as one of the 2014 recipients of the National Medal of Arts, the nation's highest public artistic honor, awarded annually by the president of the United States at the White House to those who have demonstrated a lifetime of creative excellence, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, which oversees the selection process. For more information on UMS visit: www.ums.org .

We are committed to the development of staff who thrive and contribute to a positive and inclusive environment.

Why Work at Michigan?

Benefits

We offer a benefits package that includes comprehensive training and career development opportunities, generous retirement savings plans, ample paid time off, and a wealth of family care support: https://careers.umich.edu/benefits/

Responsibilities*

PUBLIC PROGRAMS (70%)

Relationship Building

+ Establish and maintain working relationships with individuals and organizations in communities across Southeast Michigan, local and regional partners, key collaborators from the University of Michigan, artists, educators and other content creators.

+ With VP of Learning & Engagement, establish and maintain an advisory group for UMS's bi-annual residencies.

+ Plan and facilitate public meetings to share information and solicit ideas and feedback for UMS residency programming.

Program Development

+ Collaborate with artists and community members to design programs that are responsive to the interests and needs of specific cultural communities and that utilize UMS's resources in service of those interests.

+ Seek out and cultivate relationships with expert content creators and facilitators from the University and the Southeast Michigan community-at-large.

+ Facilitate dialogue with potential collaborators, community leaders, and content creators/artists about program content, and provide support and direction towards UMS's program objectives.

+ Facilitate, document and communicate the detailed planning for and on-site management of UMS's bi-annual residencies.

+ Manage ongoing audience engagement and adult learning programs.

+ Work with UMS staff liaisons to determine visiting artist availability and capacity to participate in community and audience programs.

+ Contribute to planning and provide general administrative and onsite support as needed to the full range of UMS Learning & Engagement programs and initiatives, working in collaboration with colleagues in the department and across the organization.

ADMINISTRATION AND EVALUATION (25%)

+ Act as project manager for all community- and audience- based initiatives, including logistics planning and coordination, on-site event management, and assisting with budgeting and financial reconciliation.

+ Write and deliver letters of agreement and contract addenda for contractors/artists engaged in Learning & Engagement activities.

+ Work with the UMS finance department to issue honoraria and fees to artists and guest content creators/facilitators.

+ Plan and communicate event logistics and staffing plans to the internal production team; meet with marketing and development staff to share program information; host artists and community leaders in various settings.

+ Work collaboratively to support and staff projects.

+ Evaluate community and audience engagement efforts through survey creation and other methods; track event participation.

LEAD PRODUCER (5% AS ASSIGNED)

+ Serve as a lead producer of designated UMS mainstage live performances, taking lead responsibility for the successful implementation of the given event or residency.

+ Duties include:

+ contract, process, and disseminate all legal agreements between UMS and artist;

+ advance show with road management;

+ build and manage production schedule and assess all staffing needs;

+ work with the Vice President of Learning & Engagement to explore and facilitate program activities;

+ coordinate with the UMS Production Director to plan and implement all technical and production needs for the event or residency

Required Qualifications*

+ Demonstrated experience working with communities historically excluded/underrepresented in traditional performing arts audiences.

+ At least three years experience in event planning and program management.

+ B.A. or B.F.A. in performing arts/humanities.

+ Knowledge of the performing arts.

+ Ability to work independently, and take projects from conception to completion.

+ Innovative thinking, adaptability, and comfort with supporting new ideas/projects.

+ Familiarity with email marketing and social media content creation

+ Knowledge of Office 365 Suite and Google tools

+ Comfort in working digitally.

+ Ability to drive to various locations on and off campus to meet with program stakeholders and manage events.

+ Routinely moves and positions materials weighing up to 50 pounds across campus and for various event needs.

+ Capacity to provide onsite event management.

Desired Qualifications*

+ Proficiency in Spanish or Arabic

Work Locations

This is a full-time position that regularly requires evening and weekend work, with a core weekday M-F schedule. It is based in Ann Arbor, MI, on the campus of the University of Michigan. Evening and weekend work may be required.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

270477

Working Title

Community & Audience Programs Manager

Job Title

Arts Education Program Manager

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Univ Music Society

Department

UMS Education

Posting Begin/End Date

11/07/2025 - 11/21/2025

Salary

$54,000.00 - $64,000.00

Career Interest

The Arts