Director of Art Education Programs

Director of Art Education Programs at Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy

Ifetayo is a culturally powered social innovation and impact hub for children and families. Ifetayo is a movement that has been activating creative resources for equity, wellness, learning, and joy. It is a place where the values, strength, and creativity of the African Diaspora empower, embolden, and elevate youth communities. We have been nurturing leaders and love for 36 years.

Our vision is to create a society where every child of African descent is valued and thrives. Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy empowers youth and families of African descent to achieve high levels of educational, professional and artistic excellence. Our dynamic approach integrates wellness, STEAM, and media literacy into robust arts education and youth leadership programs.  As a leading Brooklyn-based institution, we inspire future generations to develop a strong African-centered cultural identity and realize their power to transform social inequity. At Ifetayo, we stand behind five core values: Kiujumla, Mbongi, Sankofa, Ubuntu, and Ifetayo.

Ifetayo’s greatest strength and competitive advantage is strong African centered mission and programming. Few other programs in the country, have developed African Centered programming and delivered direct services through the arts and youth development for over 30 years and conducted research based on African Diaspora Rites programs and community development.

Ifetayo’s programs reach youth 2-21 years old, young adults and their families. The organization delivers public performances, and seminars including, but not limited to international cultural exchange, community & school partnerships, parent communications, volunteers, interns, visiting artists, scholars and projects to over 2000 youth and audiences of up to 5,000 each year.

Programs:

Ifetayo has six integrated programs that exemplify our philosophy of arts based community development: Rites of Passage Programs: Core programs Sisters in Sisterhood and I Am My Brother serve young people into and through adolescence with personal and professional skill development. Financial Education Institute (FEI) provides financial education workshops to 45 participants and the related Individual Development Accounts Program (IDA)provides students with the opportunity to participate in a college savings matching program. In School Program (ISP) offers in-school programs in the arts to pre-K-12 students through partnerships with schools throughout Brooklyn; The Cultural Arts Program (CAP) offers weekly classes in dance, voice, drumming, visual arts, drama, poetry and creative writing to children ages 2-18; The Ifetayo Youth Ensemble (IYE), a performing ensemble of youth ages 12-19 produces original performance works about pressing social issues; Marcus Garvey Cultural Heritage Program provides historical and cultural instruction about the cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora and international travel programs for 65 students and parents.

Position Summary:

The Director of Art Education Program (DAP) will support the growth of Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc by developing and maintaining its programs needed to achieve its goals and objectives. The DAP works closely with the Executive Director and the Director of Leadership Development Programs to ensure that Ifetayo’s arts, cultural and leadership development programs and initiatives respond to the needs of the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Director of Art Programs (DAP) is responsible for the overall success of the CAP, ISP, IYE programs. The DAP will drive annual AE programming and ensure alignment with mission, vison and values, participating in the budget process, grant writing, curriculum development, data collection, outcome, metrics, communications and direct management including performance evaluations of the pool of Faculty in the Art Based Discipline pool.

Program Management and Outcomes Evaluation:

• Oversee all arts education programs for youth ages 2-19 and adults, and their families, all public performances, seminars and workshops including, but not limited to community partnerships, school relationships, parent communications, volunteers, interns, visiting artists, scholars and new projects for over 2000 youth and families annually.

• Guide curriculum development and actively set program goals;

• Manage relationships to procure and increase arts education services and revenue in partner schools;

• Support all evaluation of arts education services.

• Support the leadership development of the teaching artists to enable them to excel in performance as well as develop as potential leaders in their own groups. Oversee recruitment and staffing, training and development, employee relations, policy and procedure and performance management.

• Assess all programs needs, formulate operation plans and supervise the implementation of the programs designed to meet the mission and goals of Ifetayo.

• Support independent and internal Programs Evaluator to facilitate evaluation of Ifetayo’s programs.

• Ensure that all programs contract deliverables are met and be responsible for chart reviews to maintain quality programs and services

• Manage program participant outreach and recruitment, performances and productions, relationship building with school and organization partners through visits and dialogue.

• Attend Board meetings, committee meetings and retreats as requested by the Executive Director.

Qualifications and Experience – the ideal candidate will have:

• The ability to embrace Ifetayo’s mission and the services – specifically have a strong knowledge in the field of arts, African Diaspora culture and youth development.

• Experience working with communities of the African Diaspora with an emphasis on Caribbean communities; and the ability to feel comfortable with and excited about working with diverse groups of Black & Latino youth and adults;

• Knowledge in areas related to conflict resolution or counseling are preferred, but not required;

• Management and education experience in a youth development, adolescent health, arts or cultural setting with increasing responsibility developing programs and curriculum; • A Graduate degree or a minimum of 5 years experience in areas that relate to non profit management youth development, African History, public policy, community development or international relations;

• Training in at least one artistic discipline, knowledge of arts education philosophy, state and national standards, professional development prototypes, outcome evaluations, education, community activism;

• The ability to manage multiple tasks, pay attention to detail, budget effectively, be a team player, think creatively, and strategically plan new projects according to long range plans in line with the organization’s core values and mission;

• Excellent interpersonal, public speaking and writing skills, with respect for people of all backgrounds and experiences;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a deep understanding of African Diaspora-cultural communication;

• Strong track record in staff management;

• Experience developing educational plans, curriculums and strategic plans;

• Ability to supervise staff and take initiative according to long range plan, core principles, mission and organizational philosophy;

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills;

If you are interested in joining our community in this role, please submit an application to [email protected], subject line “ Director of Arts Programs – Your Name. 

Interviews will begin in late May with a goal start date of July 7th 2025.

Ifetayo is an equal opportunity employer.

If you are interested in joining our community in this role, please submit a resume and coverletter to [email protected], subject line “Director of Arts Education Programs – Your Name. 

Interviews will begin in late May with a goal start date of July 7th 2025.

06/14/2025