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The Des Moines Art Center is a museum, art school, and sculpture park that welcomes on average 350,000 visitors annually. One of the oldest cultural organizations in the state and a beacon of inspiration, innovation, and learning in the capital city of Iowa, the Art Center stewards an exceptional collection of art and architecture, stimulates profound conversations about art, ideas, and society, and inspires the creativity of new generations of artists. It exists to catalyze meaningful encounters with art and people and build creative, empathetic communities.

Position Summary

The Art Center's Youth Program Manager is responsible for developing and implementing arts education opportunities that connect students in the community with engaging, high-quality programs. This highly visible role oversees the successful development of youth classes for youth, families, and community partners that run during the school year, and our youth camps during summer and spring break. The Youth Program Manager will build strong relationships with families, schools, and community organizations to develop meaningful art experiences for youth in the area that foster creative and artistic growth with a lasting love for art.

The ideal candidate is a creative arts educator with strong leadership, project management skills, and a passion for youth programming. They are a strong communicator who brings positivity, professionalism, and energy to interactions with staff, families, Teaching Artists, schools, and community partners. The Youth Program Manager builds meaningful relationships that help create inspiring art experiences where young people can explore creativity, grow their skills, and develop a lifelong love of art. This person leads with confidence and enthusiasm to create an inclusive and engaging environment.

Reporting/Contacts

This position reports to the Senior Studio Arts Manager and has frequent contact with peers and managers, as well as regular communication with Teaching Artists and students of all ages, youth in particular. This position supervises a year-round team of Classroom Assistants and oversees seasonal summer interns.

Essential Functions

• Works with the Senior Studio Arts Manager to develop, support, and execute revenue-generating educational programs for children, teens, and families.
• Leads the planning, coordination, staffing, and daily operations of the Art Center's nine-week Summer Camp program and Spring Break Camp, while also overseeing year-round youth classes, workshops, and family programming to ensure high-quality, engaging participant experiences.
• Ensures a safe, secure environment for youth by managing program risks and enforcing child safety policies and procedures.
• Identifies opportunities to improve program delivery, participant experience, and operational effectiveness.
• Responsible for hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising classroom assistants and summer studio interns.
• Leads the research and program development, creates innovative, engaging learning experiences for youth and families that strengthen community engagement and provide accessible entry points to art education and museum programming.
• Leads the development of written youth class content, curriculum materials, and program descriptions, publications, and promotional needs.
• Works with families, schools, and community partners to build and sustain relationships that support ongoing access to art education opportunities.
• Teaches classes and programs as needed in support of departmental programming.
• Organizes and curates student exhibitions and receptions, highlighting youth artwork created in studio classes, as well as instructor exhibitions.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) required.
• Three (3) years teaching experience preferred; uses strong classroom management & teaching skills to ensure a safe and successful learning environment.
• This position requires a current State of Iowa Mandatory Reporting Certification, or the ability to certify or become current upon hire.
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and manage seasonal and part-time staff.
• Ability to utilize creativity to create art curriculum and engaging camp experiences.
• Displays competency in using a variety of art techniques, materials, media, and equipment, working knowledge of ceramic. printmaking, or fibers preferred.
• Remains personable & accessible to program participants and staff; maintains professionalism in interacting with staff, teaching artists, students, school administrators, and the public.
• Is able to work effectively with a diverse community and build relationships with people regardless of demographic and/or personal characteristics; is highly emotionally intelligent and demonstrates the ability to secure the trust & confidence of students & community partners.
• Exercises accurate judgment, makes decisions following established policies, and supports & explains rationale behind decision-making as needed; displays integrity & discretion.
• Excellent organization & project management skills; able to prioritize workload & manage different tasks/projects simultaneously. Time management and scheduling skills are required.
• Contributes to building a positive team culture that embraces curiosity; supports & builds team morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.

The Des Moines Art Center offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package supporting employee health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and employer HSA contributions; a generous retirement match; paid time off and holidays; and hybrid work options for some roles. Additional offerings include life and disability insurance, as well as voluntary accident and critical illness coverage.