Manager of Lectures and Performance Programs [Art Institute of Chicago, IL]

Description

The Manager of Lectures and Performance Programs works closely with the Director of Lectures and Performance Programs, and Deputy Director for Museum Education, as the lead associate for developing and planning programs, and providing production direction and support for public performance programs, talks, scholarly lectures and film screenings.  Programs may include lectures, conversations, concerts, dance performances, plays, readings, festivals and special presentations by scholars. The Manager must be capable of working well with performing artists, visual artists and literary scholars of national and international repute.

Responsibilities include identifying and developing a range of public programming ideas in consultation with the Director of Lectures and Performances; overseeing the schedule for museum auditoria to identify and resolve any scheduling conflicts within the museum; developing program budgets, and monitoring expenses to stay within budget, managing selected activities of the Program Assistant and/or making arrangements for support necessary to produce smooth-running performance programs and lectures, including; assisting guests with their travel and hotel arrangements and ensuring that contracts are completed prior to work performed; and ensuring that all production plans are completed.

1. Report to and meet regularly with the Director of Lectures and Performance Programs, in consultation with the Deputy Director, to design and implement performance programs and lectures, and plan film screenings.  Meet with exhibition management and administrative teams, curatorial staff, curatorial affiliate group staff, membership and marketing staff as appropriate.
2. Work closely with the Director of Lectures and Performance Programs to develop short and long-term plans for lectures and performance programming relating to AIC permanent collections and special exhibitions, and other museum priorities.
3. Liaise with outside cultural agencies, professional actors, musicians and dance companies, consular offices, and other museums to originate and implement performance programming arrangements, publicity and cooperative programs, and manage ongoing relationships with internal and external partners.
4. Introduce concerts and programs, prepare and deliver art historical and interpretive presentations to introduce concerts and programs, and lead short gallery tours.
5. Assist the Director of Lectures and Performance Programs in developing the division budget.  Monitor the budget throughout the fiscal year to stay within budget, and alert the Director whenever budget issues arise. Prepare project budgets as requested, and report on expenditures quarterly to the Director.
6. Under the Director’s supervision, oversee and coordinate activities of the Program Assistant, and/or make arrangements for all necessary support for performance programs and lectures, which may include booking visiting artists’ and scholars’ travel and hotel accommodations, planning rehearsals, arranging for the services of museum security, visitors’ services, dining and special events, housekeeping, imaging, audio-visual, museum education, marketing and public affairs, museum shop and curatorial staff.
7. Oversee the completion of contracts for all lectures and performance programs prior to any work being performed, working with Legal Counsel when necessary.  Ensure payments are made to contracted performers as specified in their contract.
8. Work closely with contracted performers to plan their event, identify the support they need during the event, and act as the on-site point of contact for performers on the performance day(s).
9. Working closely with the performer(s) and the Director, oversee set-up and rehearsals, and monitor performances. Coordinate all production and event arrangements on the day of the event, including the activities of the Program Assistant.
10. Work with the museum event calendar to coordinate the schedule for museum auditoria, identify scheduling conflicts and proposing changes to resolve conflicts.
11. Provide information to the Communications Coordinator, and Marketing and Public Affairs Department, to promote Lectures and Performance Programs, within budget.
12. Occasionally provide advance research materials for visiting specialists.

Requirements