Artist and Local Arts Services Manager

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is seeking a motivated professional to join the Iowa Arts Council team as our Artist and Local Arts Services Manager.

As part of the newly formed Arts & Community Division at IEDA, this position supports the development and growth of the arts, public art, and creative industries across Iowa by managing programs that strengthen the entrepreneurial capacity and visibility of artists, advance local and community arts initiatives, and amplify the impact of the arts and creative sector.

General Duties:

Artist Professional Development and Services

·         Works to raise the visibility of Iowa artists and creatives by partnering and advising communities on the development of calls for entries, commissioning and publication projects, and exhibition opportunities

·         Manages one or more grant programs that enhance the visibility and careers of Iowa artists, including the Iowa Artist Fellowship program, and provides technical assistance to applicants.

·         Designs and implements programs to enhance artists’ knowledge of industry trends, entrepreneurial capacity, and skills related to business planning, marketing and financial management.

·         Coordinates the implementation of statewide resources designed to showcase Iowa artists and connect them to paid work opportunities in order to attract and retain creative talent in Iowa.

Public Art and Community Arts Program Management

·         Serves as statewide resource for public art in Iowa by advising on the development of local public art programs, plans, and policies.

·         Manages one or more programs that bring together arts and cultural partners and organizations outside the arts to build cross-sector partnerships through the arts

·         Convenes local arts leaders and develops initiatives and resources to advance the work of local arts agencies.

·         Connects artists, arts organizations, and communities with other state, regional, and national resources.

·         Manages grant funding opportunities from the National Endowment for the Arts to promote and preserve folk life traditions, cultures, and traditional art forms.

Arts Accessibility

·         Serves as the Iowa Arts Council’s designated Arts Accessibility Coordinator and monitors the Arts Council’s compliance with state and federal statues prohibiting discrimination.

·         Designs initiatives that serve audiences considered underserved and underrepresented in the arts to promote the accessibility of the arts to all Iowans

The ideal candidate will have experience promoting the arts in communities and public spaces, grant management experience, and exemplifies our agency’s core values:

INNOVATIVE – We inspire people with our ideas, turn those ideas into reality and know how to replicate success

MISSION ORIENTED – We keep a constant focus on the Iowans our programs benefit
PURPOSEFUL – We nurture a culture of outstanding work, collaboration and diligence

ACCOUNTABLE – We accept responsibility, are trustworthy in our commitments, respectful to one another, and transparent in our actions.
CUSTOMER SERVICE FOCUS – We are courteous, responsive and respectful and serve as a reliable resource for our clients and constituents.
THOUGHT LEADERS – We are imaginative visionaries who find creative ways to reveal opportunities and leverage data to help drive decisions.

The Artist Services Coordinator position is a non-contract, non-merit position that is classified by the State of Iowa as an Arts Programmer 3. This position is exempt (salaried) per FLSA regulations.

As an employee of the Iowa Economic Development Authority you are a State of Iowa employee and eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following and more:

Insurance – Health, Dental, Life and Long Term Disability

IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System)

Leave – Sick, Vacation, Family and Military Leave

To learn more about benefits available to State of Iowa employees visit the benefits web page.

New to the area or looking to relocate to Iowa? Visit This is Iowa to see how Iowa offers something for everyone- competitively low cost of living, bustling cities and neighborhoods, access to entertainment, opportunities for career growth and unrivaled access to outdoor adventures.

Minimum Qualifications:

Seven years of post high school education or experience in arts, nonprofit, or public administration at the local, regional, state, or national level;

OR

An equivalent combination of experience and education substituting one year of the required experience for each year (30 semester hours or 1 year) of the required education;

OR

Twelve months of current, continuous experience in the state service as an Arts Programmer 2;

OR

Twenty-four months of current, continuous experience in the state service as an Arts Programmer 1.

To Apply: Submit an application, resume, and cover letter at jobs.iowa.gov by the position closing date.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is an EEO/AA Employer

Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.