Project Manager Indigenous Initiatives Partnerships

The Terra Foundation for American Art is searching for a part-time (15 hours/week) Project Manager, Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships for a 2-year term. A remote work plan will be considered.

As a collaborative partner, the Project Manager will contribute to the Foundation’s overall strategic and operational goals toward advancing its mission. Recognizing current and historical inequities in the ways American art is presented and understood, we have adopted a new mission for our program portfolio. At the core of this mission is a commitment to foster intercultural dialogues and encourage transformative practices to expand narratives of American art.

As a learning organization, we know that we cannot do this work alone and that establishing new partnerships for feedback and dialogue is crucial. In 2022, we established a 9-member Indigenous Advisory Council to co-generate vision, goals, grant programs, and initiatives for the Foundation’s work with Native North American art, artists, cultural organizations, and scholars; to inform and reform Foundation policies and procedures to better serve Indigenous individuals and communities; and to offer counsel and honest critique. The newly conceived position of Project Manager, Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships will play a critical role over the next 2 years in advancing key programmatic opportunities identified with the Indigenous Advisory Council. Specifically, the Project Manager will help build, advance, and manage a new program for research and travel grants in support of Native art; work closely with the Indigenous Advisory Council to organize meetings, identify future program opportunities, conduct assessments, and share learnings; and partner with Foundation colleagues in ongoing grant programs related to Native art.

Who should apply?

You should apply if you:

· Are interested in building and activating diverse networks toward the Foundation’s overarching mission, vision, and strategies.

· Are excited to engage in broad and creative thinking and discussion about how stories of American and Native art are told more inclusively and equitably.

· Have experience building programs in Native art and in partnership with Native-led organizations and Native communities.

· Bring knowledge and experience in the field of Native art and an interest in engaging current issues and cultivating opportunities for future partnerships and strategic directions.

· Have a demonstrated record of working across communities, disciplines, and institutions.

· Prioritize relationship building and bring a strong network in the fields of American and Native art.

What will the Project Manager, Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships do?

· Responsible for the creation, implementation, learning, and adaptation of the Foundation’s newly conceived research and travel grants to support Native art.

· Develop program goals and strategies informed by field needs, identify benchmarks, and track progress towards goals in discussion with Foundation staff and in partnership with the Indigenous Advisory Council.

· Partner closely with the Indigenous Advisory Council to set meeting agendas and organize meetings 2-3 times per year, including one in-person event annually; identify future opportunities for partnership and grantmaking; conduct assessments and share learnings.

· Sustain current partnerships, actively cultivate new relationships, and foster collaborations within the fields of American and Native art locally and globally.

· Partner with colleagues across the Foundation’s program areas, including Program Directors who lead current responsive grant programs for exhibitions, collections, and convenings that include opportunities for Native art.

· Identify potential grantee partners and cultivate and maintain relationships with grantees and potential grantees.

· Provide advice and support to grantees and prospective grantees and seek to raise the visibility and amplify the impact of grantees’ work.

· Assess grant projects upon completion in the context of program goals.

· With the Foundation’s communications team, develop and implement communication’s messaging and strategies for the grant program and grantee research.

· Attend events, engagements, presentations, and committee meetings in order to represent the Foundation and maintain active and authentic working relationships with community groups and organizations.

What is the term, time commitment, and compensation?

Reporting to the President and CEO, the position will be a two-year, part-time appointment (~10-20 hours a week) with an hourly salary range of $65.00 - $80.00 commensurate with experience. In consultation with the Indigenous Advisory Council, the position is intentionally conceived to allow for flexibility in work schedule and location. Remote work will be considered.

About the Terra Foundation for American Art

The Terra Foundation for American Art, established in 1978 and having offices in Chicago and Paris, supports organizations and individuals locally and globally with the aim of fostering intercultural dialogues and encouraging transformative practices that expand narratives of American art, through the foundation’s grant program, collection, and initiatives.

For more information visit: terraamericanart.org

Job Type: Full-time

Experience level:

• 2 years

Schedule:

• Choose your own hours

License/Certification:

• PMP (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Chicago, IL 60611 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Chicago, IL 60611: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60611