Programs Assistant Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Description

Department: Arts Education & Partnerships

Title of Immediate Supervisor: Director of Arts Education & Partnerships 

Salary Range: $62,500 - $67,500 (Full time, Exempt)  

Best Consideration Date: June 23rd, 2026  

How to Apply: Submit your resume (required) AND cover letter (optional) 

Successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo a background check as a condition of employment 

About Washington Performing Arts: One of the most established and honored performing arts institutions in America, Washington Performing Arts has engaged for more than half a century with artists, audiences, students, and  civic life. The city is truly our stage: for decades, in venues ranging from concert halls and clubs to public parks, we have presented a tremendous range of artists and art forms, from the most distinguished symphony orchestras to both renowned and emerging artists in classical music, jazz, international genres, and more. We also have an ever-expanding artistic and educational presence on the internet, addressing the programming challenges of this time of pandemic while envisioning ongoing opportunities for online connection and community in a post-COVID world.  Washington Performing Arts deeply values its partnerships with local organizations and other arts institutions. Through events online and in myriad performance venues and neighborhoods, we engage international visiting artists in community programs and introduce local artists to the lives of both young people and adults through residencies and education programs. Our achievements have been recognized with a National Medal of Arts and with four Mayor's Arts Awards from the DC Government. Celebrating our 60th Anniversary in 2026, we are ever inspired by the motto of our founder, Patrick Hayes: "Everybody in, nobody out." Visit our website at www.washingtonperformingarts.org for more information about Washington  Performing Arts. 

Position Summary: Washington Performing Arts is seeking a dynamic and experienced performing arts administrator that has a strong understanding of arts education in the public school and nonprofit landscape.  The Arts Education Programs Manager will manage and implement Washington Performing Arts' school-based arts education programs, including Capital Arts Partnerships (CAP), Concerts In Schools (CIS), In-School Artist Residencies (ISAR), DCPS All-City Ensembles (like the Let's Gogo Program and DCPS Dance Festival), the Misbin Family Memorial Chamber Music Competition, and other initiatives as assigned. This position will also assist with other Arts Education & Partnerships programs as needed. The Arts Education Programs Manager will serve as a primary point of contact for the DC Public Schools Arts team in addition to DC-area schoolteachers, administrators, organizational partners, and Washington Performing Arts teaching artists. They also assist with the department's external communication efforts as well as data collection and reporting. The Arts Education Programs Manager is a full-time position based in Washington, DC and has a hybrid work schedule requiring a minimum of 3-days per week in the office or on-site. 

Essential Duty #1: Program Management (CAP, CIS, ISAR, Misbin, DCPS All-City Programs) Percentage: 70% 

• Maintain strategic implementation and logistics of assigned arts education programs, continually assessing and refining the programs to reflect the mission of Washington Performing Arts, as well as the goals and outcomes identified by program partners and constituents (DC-area school staff and faculty, school district leadership, students of all ages). Strategic implementation and program logistics include, but are not limited to: 

                         o Day-to-day program management 

                         o Program documentation 

                         o Program communications - in person and online through email, personal phone calls,  

                             on-site visits, and other methods 

                         o Program assessment (including developing and implementing evaluation tools) 

                         o On-site program management as needed o Soliciting, training, and managing staff support for events, as needed 

                         o Statistical tracking and reporting 

                         o Manage external inquiries regarding arts education programs 

• Assist in organizational messaging, working in conjunction with the Marketing, Communications and Creative Media Team Assist in data collection and reporting, working in conjunction with the Advancement Team 
• Communicate about the programs through social media, email, partner collaboration, onsite visits, and other methods 
• Support management of arts education and partnership contacts in the Tessitura database in collaboration with the Advancement team 
• Manage program budgets by tracking expenses, providing regular budget updates, and participating in budget crafting through program strategy meetings 
• Serve as Washington Performing Arts on-site staff representative for Washington Performing Arts events as needed 
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned 

 Essential Duty #2: Relationship Building and Partner Engagement Percentage: 20% 

• Identify, cultivate, and maintain ongoing relationships with a diverse array of program constituents and partners, including:

                          o Public School leadership and school-based administration, staff, and faculty 

                          o Teaching Artists 

                          o Community partners and organizations 

• Serve as liaison and point of contact with program constituents and community partners 
• Participate in internal and external meetings as a representative of Washington Performing Arts 
• Engage and/or cultivate working relationships with Washington Performing Arts Board, Junior Board, and Women's Committee members to advance and support ongoing programs 
• Conduct community outreach to recruit DC-Area public and public charter schools for both free and fee-for-service programs 
• Engage with community organizations to identify creative programming opportunities 
• Develop deep ties to the DC Arts community by representing Washington Performing Arts in membership organizations 

 Essential Duty #3: Teaching Artist Engagement and Professional Development Percentage: 10% 

• Identify and train Teaching Artists to work within Washington Performing Arts programs, in conjunction with other members of the Arts Education team
• Create regular opportunities for the Teaching Artist cohort to connect as a professional learning community 
• Support in the contracting and payment of Teaching Artists by coordinating with finance and administrative team members
• Conduct formal observations of Washington Performing Arts Teaching Artists in school, virtual, and community settings 
• Provide feedback to Teaching Artists to refine the delivery and content of their programs, as needed. 
• Assess the professional development needs of the Washington Performing Arts Teaching Artists and, working with the Director of Arts Education & Partnerships, coordinate and deliver at least two professional development sessions a year on topics that are relevant to the field and/or educational practice 

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or 4-years of professional experience in a directly related role 
• Additional 3 years (minimum) work experience demonstrating work with artists, educators, school systems, and/or community organizations 
• Proven track record of project management and relationship/consensus-building experience 
• Must reside in the DC Metropolitan Area 

 Essential Capabilities & Preferences 

• Familiarity with a wide variety of performing arts disciplines 
• Experience navigating a variety of school system structures 
• Specialization and/or background in one or more of the following: 

                              o Curriculum development 

                              o Assessment and evaluation 

                              o Culturally responsive programming 

• Efficient and proactive organization 
• Strong administrative and logistical skills 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite or other business applications 
• Persuasive communication and presentation skills 
• Detail-oriented and able to work effectively under pressure 
• Commitment to advancing the organization's desired culture and mission 
• Ability to pass DCPS Clearance Process (includes Criminal Background Check, Child Protection Registry Check, Sex Offender Registry Check, and Mandatory Drug Testing) 

 Specific Conditions of Work 

• General office environment 
• Ability to lift 20 lbs. from time to time 
• Occasional work in schools, performance venues, and event venues 
• Some morning, evening, and weekend work required 
• Ability to work in Washington. D.C. office location (currently a minimum of three days per week in the office) and off-site (e.g., teleworking and at school events, concerts, and other events) on a regular basis, as needed 

 Benefits of Working with Washington Performing Arts 

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plan offerings including some 100% employer-paid options.  
• HSA and FSA plans.  
• Employer-paid Life Insurance with AD&D plus Long-Term Disability Insurance.  
• Annual Health & Wellness and Professional Development stipend.  
• Employee Assistance Program.  
• 403B and Roth Retirement Savings Plan Options.  
• 15 vacation days per year, 2 days of Personal Time off, up to 13 days of sick leave  
• Four weeks paid Maternity/Paternity leave (after full-time employment of 1 year)  
• Employee-paid, pre-tax commuter benefit for taking public transportation to work  
• 10 paid holidays plus closed for one week winter break and one week summer break  
• Opportunities to attend Washington Performing Arts performances.  

Organizational Values: In keeping with our mission and guiding principles, we seek, represent, and welcome a multiplicity of voices in everything we do from programmatic content to the composition of our board and staff. Accordingly, we seek to build a team that reflects - and meets the needs of -  the community we are part of and serve. While we have made important progress, we continue  to pursue that goal through intentional, focused learning and action. Hiring a workforce that  embodies and reflects these values is but one component - we strive to make Washington  Performing Arts ever more inclusive, and true to our founder's ethos of "everybody in, nobody  out." We aspire to make every employee feel welcome and motivated to do their best work. We know that we work better together in service of Washington Performing Arts' mission, because of our differences, not despite them.   

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Washington Performing Arts subscribes to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will  not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual  orientation, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, religion, ancestry or national  origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.  In addition, the District of Columbia adds protection for marital status, personal appearance,  sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, or political affiliation. Washington  Performing Arts' employment decisions are made