ArtsFAirfax
POSITION OVERVIEW:
This position is ideal for a visionary, creative leader who inspires collaboration and builds positive, supportive teams in the field of arts-in-health. The program director oversees program excellence through training and curriculum development in the participatory arts, management of artistic faculty, and through strategic partnership building. This role leads special projects and innovative approaches to signature and new programming that attract supporters and ensure sustainability. The position requires strategic and innovative thinking to foster organizational and program growth, increase community engagement, and deliver inclusive, high‑quality visual, performing, and literary arts engagements designed to improve the health of older adults and caregivers.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Send your cover letter, including what makes you a good fit for this role, and your resume to info@AFTAarts.org by Friday, January 30, 2026. Attention/Subject: Program Director search. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone inquiries or snail mail applications, please.
COMPENSATION/BENEFITS:
Salary range: $70,000 – $79,000 commensurate with experience. Benefits: Annual leave, health insurance reimbursement, matching retirement plan (SIMPLE IRA) after one year, professional development (coaching, membership fees, education workshops), business travel reimbursement.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Shape and lead the programs department with clear vision, ensuring all programs, program personnel, special projects, and reporting initiatives align with the organization’s strategic plan.
Training and Curriculum Development
Design training curriculum to elevate teaching artist faculty through advanced facilitation, equity principles, and best practices for participatory arts‑in‑health programs.
Develop fee‑for‑service training modules for special projects, incorporating stakeholder input and tailored for intergenerational groups, caregivers, administrators, creatives, and teaching artists.
Partnerships & Outreach
Cultivate partnerships and seek opportunities for tailored support and collaboration to expand culturally responsive programming, engage diverse communities, recruit new client communities, and represent Arts for the Aging at key events.
Development Support
Collaborate on fundraising by providing program budgets and narratives for grants and campaigns, and by documenting programs and data for impact reports.
Support planning for and attend fundraising and cultivation events to build support and resources.
Oversight of Personnel
Supervise a contracted faculty of multidisciplinary teaching artists, providing mentorship for curriculum development, professional development through our teaching artist institute, and performance evaluation.
Recruit, select, train, and onboard new teaching artists as needed.
Supervise the full‑time senior coordinator of programs with direction, support, and annual evaluation.
Provide input and oversight of communications with the senior coordinator of programs and the development and communications coordinator.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Bachelor’s degree in arts education, social work, gerontology, or related field (master’s preferred).
5+ years in program management, budgeting, training, curriculum development, and personnel leadership.
Strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to engage diverse audiences and partnership‑build.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to design and deliver training for audiences of varied ages, cultural backgrounds, and professional roles (e.g., teaching artists, caregivers, administrators, creatives).
Strong project and time management skills with the ability to effectively balance multiple priorities.
Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel); familiarity with digital communications tools (advanced proficiency preferred).
Commitment to equity and inclusion.
Ability to travel regionally in Greater DC as needed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience managing personnel in nonprofit or arts settings.
Artistic background and/or experience in arts administration and creative disciplines that support innovative program design.
Familiarity with grant writing and understanding of fundraising principles.
Advanced communications expertise, including videography and creative, ethical storytelling for marketing and development purposes.
OUR MISSION Arts for the Aging engages regular arts participation to improve physical, cognitive, and emotional health. We connect older adults and caregivers with visual, performing, and literary arts experiences to increase socialization and prevent loneliness. We equip professional artists with curriculums, trainings, and skills to ignite self‑expression and social connection vital to healthy aging and caregiving. We partner with adult day centers, community centers, continuing care communities, museums, and cultural institutions, primarily in Greater DC, where our programs take place. Arts for the Aging has known since 1988 what studies now show that regular arts engagement is therapeutic for the mind, body, and spirit. It inspires empathy and respect, fosters communication and belonging, and promotes social connection. An equity committee made up of board members, teaching artists, staff, and volunteers meets quarterly to explore cultural equity and organizational efforts to foster a welcoming, inclusive environment.
ADA SPECIFICATIONS Arts for the Aging operates on a hybrid telework and office schedule. The office is located in Gaithersburg, MD, with the organization’s administrative headquarters housed in a dynamic shared office space at Launch. The position will involve regular local and regional travel, especially to community‑based client sites where programs take place. The role is primarily sedentary but may require the ability to occasionally lift items weighing up to 25 pounds and transport them to another location.
Arts for the Aging is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or other protected class status. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
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This position is ideal for a visionary, creative leader who inspires collaboration and builds positive, supportive teams in the field of arts-in-health. The program director oversees program excellence through training and curriculum development in the participatory arts, management of artistic faculty, and through strategic partnership building. This role leads special projects and innovative approaches to signature and new programming that attract supporters and ensure sustainability. The position requires strategic and innovative thinking to foster organizational and program growth, increase community engagement, and deliver inclusive, high‑quality visual, performing, and literary arts engagements designed to improve the health of older adults and caregivers.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Send your cover letter, including what makes you a good fit for this role, and your resume to info@AFTAarts.org by Friday, January 30, 2026. Attention/Subject: Program Director search. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone inquiries or snail mail applications, please.
COMPENSATION/BENEFITS:
Salary range: $70,000 – $79,000 commensurate with experience. Benefits: Annual leave, health insurance reimbursement, matching retirement plan (SIMPLE IRA) after one year, professional development (coaching, membership fees, education workshops), business travel reimbursement.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Shape and lead the programs department with clear vision, ensuring all programs, program personnel, special projects, and reporting initiatives align with the organization’s strategic plan.
Training and Curriculum Development
Design training curriculum to elevate teaching artist faculty through advanced facilitation, equity principles, and best practices for participatory arts‑in‑health programs.
Develop fee‑for‑service training modules for special projects, incorporating stakeholder input and tailored for intergenerational groups, caregivers, administrators, creatives, and teaching artists.
Partnerships & Outreach
Cultivate partnerships and seek opportunities for tailored support and collaboration to expand culturally responsive programming, engage diverse communities, recruit new client communities, and represent Arts for the Aging at key events.
Development Support
Collaborate on fundraising by providing program budgets and narratives for grants and campaigns, and by documenting programs and data for impact reports.
Support planning for and attend fundraising and cultivation events to build support and resources.
Oversight of Personnel
Supervise a contracted faculty of multidisciplinary teaching artists, providing mentorship for curriculum development, professional development through our teaching artist institute, and performance evaluation.
Recruit, select, train, and onboard new teaching artists as needed.
Supervise the full‑time senior coordinator of programs with direction, support, and annual evaluation.
Provide input and oversight of communications with the senior coordinator of programs and the development and communications coordinator.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Bachelor’s degree in arts education, social work, gerontology, or related field (master’s preferred).
5+ years in program management, budgeting, training, curriculum development, and personnel leadership.
Strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to engage diverse audiences and partnership‑build.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to design and deliver training for audiences of varied ages, cultural backgrounds, and professional roles (e.g., teaching artists, caregivers, administrators, creatives).
Strong project and time management skills with the ability to effectively balance multiple priorities.
Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel); familiarity with digital communications tools (advanced proficiency preferred).
Commitment to equity and inclusion.
Ability to travel regionally in Greater DC as needed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience managing personnel in nonprofit or arts settings.
Artistic background and/or experience in arts administration and creative disciplines that support innovative program design.
Familiarity with grant writing and understanding of fundraising principles.
Advanced communications expertise, including videography and creative, ethical storytelling for marketing and development purposes.
OUR MISSION Arts for the Aging engages regular arts participation to improve physical, cognitive, and emotional health. We connect older adults and caregivers with visual, performing, and literary arts experiences to increase socialization and prevent loneliness. We equip professional artists with curriculums, trainings, and skills to ignite self‑expression and social connection vital to healthy aging and caregiving. We partner with adult day centers, community centers, continuing care communities, museums, and cultural institutions, primarily in Greater DC, where our programs take place. Arts for the Aging has known since 1988 what studies now show that regular arts engagement is therapeutic for the mind, body, and spirit. It inspires empathy and respect, fosters communication and belonging, and promotes social connection. An equity committee made up of board members, teaching artists, staff, and volunteers meets quarterly to explore cultural equity and organizational efforts to foster a welcoming, inclusive environment.
ADA SPECIFICATIONS Arts for the Aging operates on a hybrid telework and office schedule. The office is located in Gaithersburg, MD, with the organization’s administrative headquarters housed in a dynamic shared office space at Launch. The position will involve regular local and regional travel, especially to community‑based client sites where programs take place. The role is primarily sedentary but may require the ability to occasionally lift items weighing up to 25 pounds and transport them to another location.
Arts for the Aging is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or other protected class status. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
#J-18808-Ljbffr