Public Art Project Manager

Details: Full-time exempt at 32/hours a week with benefits 

In-office and on-site park work required; some remote work possible

Salary: $60,00-$65,000

Reports To: Director & Curator of Public Art 

Department: Public Art

Application Deadline: **For priority consideration, apply by Friday, May 19, 2023 at 5pm.**

The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy’s Public Art Team is seeking a highly motivated and reliable individual for a full-time (32 hours) position as Public Art Project Manager. This position is an opportunity to join a dynamic organization and help contribute to the creative and collective vision for public space in downtown Boston.

Begun in 2015, The Greenway’s public art program brings innovative and contemporary art to Boston through free, temporary exhibitions, engaging people in meaningful experiences, interactions and dialogue with art, each other, and the most pressing issues of our time. The Greenway provides artists with unique opportunities to exhibit bold new work that considers the possibilities of 21st century Boston.

The Public Art Project Manager manages assigned public art projects under the supervision of the Director & Curator of Public Art. The Project Manager works with Greenway staff, artists, contractors, and vendors to facilitate the successful design, construction, and installation of temporary public artworks and to ensure projects are completed/installed within set budgets and timelines. This includes coordination of artist selection processes, project meetings and events, and proactively initiating communication and collaboration with a wide variety of internal and external creative teams. The Project Manager will conduct curatorial and project-related research, including specific questions related to materials, fabrication, construction and design issues, as well as provide trouble-shooting and technical assistance related to public art projects. The Project Manager also participates in a variety of Greenway programs and contributes to initiatives and related tasks both within and outside the Public Art Department.

Hiring a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve is essential to delivering exceptional Greenway services and programs and creating healthy, thriving public spaces. The Greenway Conservancy is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees to thrive. We value, respect, and empower employees as unique individuals with authentic voices and diverse ideas, and actively work against racism and other practices of marginalization and harm.

Public Art Project Manager Responsibilities:

  • Help define scopes of work, develop criteria, budgets, and artist selection processes.
  • Initiate and cultivate clear and caring communication among artists, cultural partners, project managers, architects, engineers and others throughout the project process.
  • Support and confer with artists throughout the design, development, fabrication, and installation phases of a project. 
  • Proactively identify and resolve related issues as they arise.
  • Manage the majority of installation/de-installation processes of artwork on The Greenway. 
  • Process artist and partner contracts, assist in project documentation and filing.
  • Manage and track project expenditures.
  • Assist with developing, implementing, and assessing policies and procedures for the Public Art Program.
  • Assist with program documentation and archiving.
  • Schedule and coordinate internal and external meetings.
  • Assist in program direction, visioning and evaluation.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Public Art Curator.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

  1. Licensing/Certifications
    1. Valid Driver’s License and safe driving record
  2. Education
    1. Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s Degree, preferably in Art, Studio Art, Art History, Art Administration, Architecture, Urban Design, Construction Management or related fields;  
    2. or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
  3. Experience
    1. Strong interest in and commitment to the creative process and working collaboratively with/on diverse teams.
    2. 2-4 years of public art administration and/or design-related project management experience.
    3. Experience in non-profits, government agencies, and/or experience working with artists and creatives.
  4. Knowledge & Skills
    1. Strong ability to manage multiple projects effectively and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
    2. Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
    3. Ability to proactively facilitate clear and caring communication among all levels of staff, colleagues, board members, community representatives, artists, media and studio representatives, curators, artists, cultural partners, project managers, architects, engineers, colleagues, and others.
    4. Knowledge of artistic disciplines/media, visual art and architectural trends, and architectural construction terminology.
    5. Computer proficiency, especially in Google for Work (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail) and Microsoft (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).  
    6. Experience working in Adobe Illustrator and PhotoShop. 
    7. Problem-solving mindset and ability to proactively and independently identify and resolve both technical and communication issues as they come up.
    8. Committed to the mission of The Greenway.

Preferred Qualifications

    • Ideal candidate has a strong interest and/or some experience in art administration, studio art, art history, urban planning, marketing, communications, design and/or related field with a demonstrated interest in public art and/or spatial justice.
    • Social media experience and broad knowledge of platforms, trends, and tools necessary to support a successful social media strategy.
    • Video, photo and/or graphic design skills preferred (but not required), including expertise with Adobe Creative Suites programs (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) and WordPress.
    • Ability to adapt to a varied and frequently changing environment. 
    • Bilingual skills in Spanish, Mandarin, and/or Cantonese or other languages are a plus.
  • *Experience working in diverse and inclusive organizations and/or communities is considered a priority and plus for this position.*
  • The Greenway Conservancy invites and encourages minority group members, veterans, disabled individuals, women, and people of all gender identities to apply.

Logistics

  • Work hours are 32/hrs a week, spread flexibly Monday through Friday. 
  • Some flexibility is required to accommodate evening and weekend events and/or responsibilities.
  • Coordination work will generally take place indoors but the position will require substantial time in the park under all weather conditions for artwork installation, de-installation, maintenance, and other activities.
  • The role will require occasional lifting, carrying, setup, and cleanup of materials.
  • All incoming employees will be required to comply with the Conservancy’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.

ADA and Other Requirements 

This position sometimes requires balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motions with or without reasonable accommodation. This position requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

This position may sometimes require working in areas with or operating machinery with moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, low ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, work space restrictions, intense noises, and environmental and social conditions common to public parks.

Application Process

  1. Cover letter (max 1 page)
  2. Resume (max 1-2 pages)
  3. 3 Professional References (can be included with resume or as a separate page)
  • Please include “Public Art Project Manager Application” in the subject line. 
  • Each file name should begin with the applicant’s last name.
  • The Greenway Conservancy invites and encourages minority group members, veterans, disabled individuals, women, and people of all gender identities to apply.
  • No phone calls, please.

About The Greenway and The Conservancy

The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a contemporary public park in the heart of Boston. The Greenway Conservancy maintains, programs, finances, and improves the 1.5-mile Greenway on behalf of the public. The Greenway welcomed a record 1.38 million visitors in 2016 for The Greenway Carousel, events, Wi-Fi, and Mobile Eats food trucks, plus millions more visitors who enjoyed the fountains, plazas, and gardens. The Conservancy has won numerous awards, including for our organic landscape care and park programming and most recently for Public Art.

To learn more about The Greenway and the Conservancy, please visit our website and blog and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

RFKGC is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression (including transgender) or any other characteristic protected by law.