JOB TITLE: ARTS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3

JOB CODE: 27530

SERIES NATURE OF WORK:

The Arts Program Specialist job series describes professional work in the advancement of artistic programs in the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

DEFINITION:

This is responsible, seasoned professional work developing specialized arts programs and grant proposals, monitoring and evaluating of statewide artistic productions, and ensuring compliance to grant award agreements.

An employee in this job is responsible for developing and implementing new arts initiatives and analyzing the status of the commonwealth’s creative industry. Work includes providing technical assistance and guidance to stakeholders to help ensure the healthy growth and development of the arts in Pennsylvania. Work involves evaluating proposals for grants in aid, meeting with potential grantees to assist in the development of acceptable proposals, providing technical assistance to arts organizations to enable them to meet their objectives through better management and production methods, advocating action on grants proposals before council members, and evaluating the quality and contractual compliance of grantees' artistic productions. Work includes national and statewide peer group communication and observing the creative industries sector to keep informed of developments in the field of arts. An important characteristic of the work is developing and recommending policies to the council on worthy projects, as well as methods to maximize the growth of the arts. Work also involves the use of diplomacy and tact in sensitive communications with representatives of arts organizations to avoid censorship or undue influence while advising and providing constructive criticism of arts activities. Work is performed independently within council policies and is evaluated by the Executive Director for professionalism and effectiveness.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Work is differentiated from the lower level jobs in this series based upon the responsibility for developing and mounting new initiatives on behalf of the field by analyzing the status of the creative industries sector and researching new developments, which may result in substantive advancement and promotion of the arts throughout the commonwealth.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Develops grant proposals in conjunction with arts organizations in accordance with federal and state requirements, procedures, and policies.

• Provides guidance to less experienced specialists.

• Develops and recommends policies regarding new projects worthy of funding.

• Provides technical assistance to arts organizations concerning financial management, fund raising, advertising, audience development, volunteer services, non-profit organization management, methods of obtaining equipment or services, and artistic and educational methods in production development.

• Monitors advancements in the arts field to be cognizant of state-of-the-art developments on a state and national level.

• Observes the quality of productions of potential grantees; determines compliance of grantees with contractual requirements.

• Organizes peer group councils to assist in interagency communications to promote the development of a statewide information exchange for their mutual benefit.

• Presents cases before the council for funding of project grants to organizations who have demonstrated professionalism, effective management, and support by the public.

• Reviews grant applications for compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures; audits performance, exhibitions and reports.

• Prepares reports for the council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

• Represents the council at various events such as national and regional meetings and conferences.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related duties as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the history and current developments within the field of arts.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management methods.

• Knowledge of the issues facing artists when presenting their work to the public.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not be used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.)

• Knowledge of agency programs and projects.

• Knowledge of the operation of a non-profit arts organization.

• Knowledge of the regulations, policies, and procedures of the council regarding development, approval, and monitoring of financial grants.

• Ability to analyze, develop, and implement new art program initiatives.

• Ability to use diplomacy and tact in advising and negotiating with arts organizations to provide assistance in applying for grants, and assisting in the development of financial management, resource utilization, educational methods, audience development, and other organizational aspects without providing censorship or undue influence on the artistic content.

• Ability to perform objective evaluations of the artistic quality and management of non-profit arts organization programs.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Seven years of experience in an arts-related field, including two years of experience in management activities, and a bachelor’s degree;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.