JOB TITLE: ARTS PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2

JOB CODE: 27520

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 professional work developing specialized arts programs and grant proposals, monitoring and evaluating statewide artistic productions, and ensuring compliance with grant award agreements.

An employee in this job is responsible for providing technical assistance and evaluating programs within the creative industry sector to 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' award agreements. Work includes national and statewide peer group communication and monitoring the creative industries sector to keep informed of developments in the arts field. 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 with considerable independence within council policies and is evaluated for professionalism and effectiveness.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work at this level involves assisting in the development of specialized arts programs and recommending policies to the council with respect to worthy projects within a discipline and methods by which the council can maximize its impact in encouraging the growth of the arts.

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.):

• Assists arts organizations in developing grant proposals in conformance with federal and state requirements, procedures, and policies.

• Recommends policies regarding the selection of grantees within an appropriate discipline, based upon state and national trends.

• 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.

• 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 regional and national events.

• 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 and required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

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

• 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 the principles of management, especially as they pertain to 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 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, and other organizational aspects without providing censorship or undue influence on the artistic content.

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

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

• Five 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.