AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

Job Announcement: Program Manager (Half-Time)

Timeline: Open until filled (posted January 6, 2012)

Location: Los Angeles with ability to travel

Background
The Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) promotes and supports ways for cultural traditions to thrive now and into the future by providing advocacy, resources, and connections for folk and traditional artists. Recognized for its culturally competent leadership, intellectual capital, and excellence in program administration, ACTA is the California Arts Council's official partner in serving the state's folk and traditional arts field. ACTA helps people connect to their past and keep traditions a central part of life today and tomorrow. By supporting folk and traditional artists, ACTA supports the health, cultural continuity and diversity of California. Founded in 1997 by cultural workers, arts administrators, and traditional artists, it has grown into the multi-site $1.3M organization it is today, with headquarters in Fresno and a field office located in San Francisco. In early 2012, a Los Angeles field office will launch.
Position and Responsibilities
The Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) has an opening for a Program Manager to serve the Southern California region. The Program Manager reports to the Executive Director based in Fresno. The term for this position is 12 months, working 20 hours per week. The contract may be extended contingent on available funding. This part-time position requires ability to travel, principally in S. California for outreach and fieldwork.
The Program Manager will be responsible for launching a new field office and for providing regional services across ACTA’s three core programs – the Living Cultures Grants Program, Apprenticeship Program, and Traditional Arts Development Program. Networking and field research will be a vital part of developing a more robust Southern California regional service for ACTA.
Responsibilities include the set up and management of a Los Angeles office; networking with S. California arts and cultural networks; contributing to a database of regional traditional artists, arts organizations and groups; conducting discovery research to reach a greater number of S. California based traditional artists; conducting site visits to ACTA grantees, including providing written reports and media documentation; facilitating outreach meetings and giving presentations to prospective applicants; offering assistance to prospective applicants; writing articles for ACTA’s website and The New Moon e-newsletter; working in collaboration with ACTA’s other program staff based in Fresno and San Francisco; and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
· B.A. degree in folklore, cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, or related field and/or at least two years experience with designing and implementing public programs related to traditional or community-based arts; M.A. or Ph.D. degree preferred.
· Prior work and expertise demonstrating cultural competence with diverse communities and cultural traditions.
· Experiences with and knowledge of Los Angeles communities and organizations.
· Excellent writing, speaking and networking skills.
· Ethnographic fieldwork and research skills including media documentation.
· Computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel.
· Administrative skills, including ability to manage a small office.
· Ability to work independently as well as to function as part of a team.
· Spanish or other non-English language abilities a plus.
The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to the mission of providing stewardship for the folk & traditional arts in California and a respect for and interest in furthering the strengths and accomplishments of the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, its staff and Board.
Location: The program manager will be based in Los Angeles with ability to travel statewide.
To Apply: Send a hard-copy OR email letter of interest, resume, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references to:
Alliance for California Traditional Arts
Attn: Search Committee
1245 Van Ness
Fresno, CA 93721
info@actaonline.org
Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus benefits.
The Alliance for California Traditional Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

from LA Culture Net