Job Description

EPACENTER

Job Posting

Director of Arts Education

Organizational Overview

A multi-disciplinary arts organization, EPACENTER is a vibrant hub for creativity and cultural engagement headquartered in East Palo Alto that is dedicated to inspiring imagination and activating the creative potential of all who need greater access to artistic opportunities in San Mateo County. EPACENTER unites individuals of every age through artistic expression, supports career pathways in creative fields, and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of our community.

EPACENTER's comprehensive array of classes in digital, visual, culinary, and performing arts offers abundant opportunities for personal growth and skill development for all ages. Additionally, fellowship programs open doors to rewarding, high-wage careers in the creative industries. EPACENTER presents a dynamic range of public programs, captivating live performances, thought-provoking exhibitions and installations, stimulating lectures, curated film screenings, and spirited community events. Designed as an inviting and accessible 25,000-square-foot space, the EPACENTER building is a welcoming gathering spot where people of all abilities explore their talents, engage with inspiring ideas, and flourish creatively.

Position Overview

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of Arts Education is EPACENTER’s strategic leader for learning design, learner engagement, and instructional quality focused on the arts. The role oversees the full life cycle of educational operations for participants of every age, including the establishment of class calendars, the onboarding and supervising of teaching artists, and the alignment of youth programs with Creative Youth Development principles. The position also designs and leads professional learning development for emerging arts educators (21+), providing them with the knowledge, credentials, and mentoring support required to excel in community-based creative learning environments and meet apprenticeship or vocational standards, if applicable.

The Director of Arts Education collaborates closely with the Directors of Visual Arts & Public Programs and Performing Arts & Public Programs, as well as the Director of Production, to translate artistic vision into learner-centered experiences that meet the highest standards of safety, equity, and fiscal stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

• Education Strategy & Curriculum: Develop annual education strategy, curriculum frameworks, and program calendars across all age cohorts (K–12, young adults, adults, and seniors). Ensure educational curricula for youth reflect Creative Youth Development, culturally responsive pedagogy, and trauma-transformed practice, while also adhering to state standards.

• Program Operations: Oversee the building and maintenance of the master class schedule, optimizing space use, instructor availability, and resources. Direct registration, enrollment, and customer-service processes, and monitor fill rates, attendance, and satisfaction. Implement data-driven improvements. Establish and enforce operational policies, including safety, emergency, and child-protection protocols aligned with state and county regulations.

• Instructor Leadership: Oversee recruitment, onboarding, orientation, coaching, evaluation, scheduling, and timesheet processing for teaching artists and instructional staff. Create clear teaching expectations, classroom norms, and assessment approaches to track learner growth.

• Emerging Educator Training: Design and deliver tiered training, mentorship, and evaluation for emerging teaching artists and early-career youth-development staff, including workshops, observations/feedback cycles, and a competency rubric aligned to Creative Youth Development best practices. Build a resource library (lesson plans, project prompts, rubrics), and coordinate pathways for external credentials or apprenticeship alignment as required.

• Data, Budget & Compliance: Prepare and manage annual education budgets. Track expenditures, revenue, and in-kind contributions. Present monthly variance reports to the Executive Director. Generate dashboards on enrollments, retention, learning outcomes, and participant demographics. Recommend strategic adjustments to meet KPIs. Ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies (mandated reporter, ADA, privacy, and other education-related requirements).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Representation: Partner with Visual Arts/Performing Arts leaders to align course content with exhibitions, residencies, and public programs. Coordinate with the Director of Production on studio readiness, equipment, and safety. Represent EPACENTER in education networks, conferences, and public forums focused on arts learning and youth development.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of progressively responsible experience in arts education management or community arts learning, with at least five years in a senior or department head role.
• Experience designing educational programs in the arts for youth and adults of all ages.
• Demonstrated expertise in curriculum design in the arts, instructor supervision, budget control, and multi-site or multi-venue scheduling.
• Deep understanding of Creative Youth Development, trauma-transformed practice, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
• Experience building professional learning pathways for emerging educators.
• Proficiency with learning management or registration platforms and data analytics tools.
• Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills. Proven ability to collaborate across artistic, production, facilities, finance, and advancement teams.
• A master’s degree (or higher) in Education or Arts Education is required. Advanced credentials should meet or exceed standards typically set for instructional leadership in accredited apprenticeship or vocational contexts.

Position Details

• Salary Range: $146,000 - $165,000
• Status: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. Frequent evening and weekend work
• Reports to: Executive Director

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

The role operates across offices, studios, and classrooms. Duties may require standing and walking for extended periods and lifting up to 25 pounds. EPACENTER provides appropriate safety training and will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

EPACENTER is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or other protected categories covered by EPACENTER’s nondiscrimination policy.

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