Associate Director Of Equity & Community Engagement

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is seeking a full-time Director of Equity and Community Engagement to lead our IDEA program and community efforts focused on engaging audiences the KIA serves through its programming, ambassador engagement, and external outreach.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for engaging with the community and strong commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. The individual will have a proven ability to build reciprocal relationships with coalition partners the KIA serves and to foster collaboration. They advocate for more equitable access to the museum/art school and regularly include others in planning and decision-making. They will be committed to getting results in a fast-paced environment without sacrificing input or quality, and have the resilience to navigate setbacks with an eye toward new opportunities.

The staff and board of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts believes the visual arts are for everyone, and that they inspire, fulfill, and transform. The KIA is a private non-profit organization which has, since 1924, presented opportunities to the community and visitors from around the world to enjoy and create art. The KIA holds more than 5,000 fine artworks in its permanent collection; presents touring and collection exhibitions in 10 galleries; offers four terms of art classes at the Kirk Newman Art School across various disciplines; and houses the KIA Gallery Shop, featuring artwork by local artists and international artisans.
This year, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA), a leading nonprofit art museum and school, will begin its Centennial celebration with various exhibitions, events, and programs to commemorate its 100th anniversary.

The Director of Equity and Community Engagement, who is preferably based in Kalamazoo County and reports to the Senior Operations Officer, is responsible for the following:

To be successful in this job, you will excel in four areas:

• Relationship-building: You develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and can bring in allies and coalition partners from marginalized communities, such as people of color, people with disabilities, low-income families, etc. You know how to build relationships and find points of collaboration even when there are competing interests.
• Knowledge of and Commitment to IDEA principles and practices: You have an understanding of structural inequalities, recognizes race, gender, other identities, intersectionality, knowledge of how to build trust with individuals who are different from yourself, is driven to improve conditions, and proactively learns re: race, equity, and identity
• Results-orientation: You have a track record of achievement and producing results
• Strategy Development and Project Management skills: You stay on top of multiple projects, plans backwards, anticipates obstacles, identifies and involves stakeholders appropriately, uses resources wisely, completes work by due dates.
• Experience: Your background includes community organizing, nonprofit, and/or museums, as demonstrated by education or work experience. Prior experience with community outreach/engagement and implementing IDEA programs is required.

If you were here right now, you would be:

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts recruits team members that are as economically, culturally and ethnically diverse as the community we serve. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in all its forms, including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The position is full-time and is based in Kalamazoo County. The role requires attendance at community events, extended workdays and periodic irregular work hours. You will work in a well-lit, pleasant, smoke-free office. Physical requirements include: frequently standing, walking, and handling; and reach with hands and arms. You will give regular group presentations and speak on behalf of the museum. The salary for this position ranges from $75,000 - $90,000, with exact salary depending on experience. The KIA offers compensation and a benefits package that includes medical, dental, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, and retirement program with employer contribution, paid time off including annual vacation, sick and personal leave, some 12 museum holidays, 2 floating holidays, and discounts in the Museum’s Gallery Shop.

Submission Deadline: Initial review of submissions will begin April 1, 2024. Application materials received by this date will be given priority consideration. This job listing will remain open until the first interview phase is complete or until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified. NOTE: Incomplete application materials may not receive full consideration for the position.