Arts & Community Engagement Manager

Arts and Community Engagement Manager 

Essential Services 

Damien Center Values 

Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Access-Quality-Innovation 

Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) and serves more than 8000 individuals living with or at risk for HIV through a comprehensive, innovative approach to care and prevention. Our purpose is to be a trusted partner in providing services, education and advocacy for all people living with or at risk for HIV and any person seeking a safe and welcoming home for care. Our services include care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition.

Position Summary:

The Arts & Community Engagement Manager leads the development and delivery of inclusive, art-based programs that promote wellbeing, creative expression, and community connection, with a focus on individuals living with HIV and members of the LGBTQ+ community. This role manages workshops, exhibitions, public art, and creative placemaking initiatives while building partnerships with artists, universities, and community organizations to expand engagement and impact. Working collaboratively across teams, the Manager supports participant engagement, oversees artwork across organizational spaces, and contributes to program evaluation and funding efforts, combining strategic planning with hands-on program implementation. 

Duties and Responsibilities:  

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills.   

• Coordinate and facilitate ongoing art-based programming, including leading creative workshops and managing themed projects that culminate in community exhibitions. 
• Plan and execute outreach and recruitment strategies to increase program participation, in collaboration with marketing efforts to promote activities and highlight participant artwork. 
• Develop and maintain partnerships with local artists, universities, and community organizations to expand programming, enhance participant experiences, and support student engagement opportunities (e.g., internships and practicums). 
• Collaborate with leadership and development staff to identify funding opportunities and contribute to grant writing and proposal development. 
• Track program participation, maintain documentation, and support evaluation efforts to drive continuous program improvement. 
• Organize and manage art exhibitions and installations, including timelines, artist selection, installation logistics, and public-facing events. 
• Oversee the presentation and rotation of artwork across organizational spaces, ensuring installations are engaging, well-maintained, and aligned with mission and goals. 
• Coordinate and execute large-scale, community-facing art projects tied to organizational milestones.
• Support the development and implementation of creative placemaking projects and public art installations. 
• Coordinate and support art therapy and creative expression programming for clients and the broader community, with a focus on individuals living with HIV and members of the LGBTQ+ community. 
• Facilitate sessions as needed, ensuring programs promote wellbeing, creativity, and social connection. 
• Collaborate with staff, faculty, and community stakeholders to design programs that foster self-expression, resilience, confidence, and belonging. 
• Support participant engagement through client intake coordination, interest assessment, and program matching. 
• Build and sustain relationships with academic institutions and community partners to expand programming and increase community engagement. 
• Develop inclusive, arts-based initiatives in collaboration with students, universities, and community organizations. 
• Track program and participant data, create reports, and ensure grant outcomes are successful 
• Other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience: 

Bachelor's degree in arts, marketing, communications, social work, or similar required. Understanding of the unique cultural, social, and health needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and those impacted by HIV/AIDS. Knowledge of local arts community is required. Experience with event management software or platforms for scheduling, promotion, and execution required. Ability to travel locally to offsite events as needed is required. Personal transportation and evening and weekend availability required. 

*Work or lived experience may substitute for education requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines, and with superior product results. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills are required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Remote work is on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the supervisor.

• Office setting, with sustained use of a computer. 
• The noise level in the work environment is minimal to moderate. 
• Individuals should maintain personal and professional competency and work to create an environment of courtesy, respect, inclusion, and positivity in all interactions both internal and external to the organization. 

FLSA Status: Salaried, Full-time, Exempt

Leader: Employment & Education Program Manager 

Salary: $55-58,000 annually

Benefits:

• 150 hours of PTO in the first year followed by 195 hours per year moving forward. 
• 12 paid holidays 
• Medical coverage options include a PPO plan or a HDHP.
• Dental & Vision plans 
• Health Saving Account or Flexible Spending Account 
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• 403b Retirement Account with 5% matching and 100% vesting after 90 days 
• Life Insurance @ 2 times the annual salary 
• Voluntary Life Insurance Plan including spouse and child coverage options 
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Plans 
• Premium Subscription to the CALM APP which assists with anxiety, stress & other mental health challenges 
• Professional Development Opportunities 
• Tuition Assistance 
• Annual performance review that includes an annual performance-based salary increase 

Protecting our team members, clients, volunteers, and community partners is an integral part of how we ensure our continued work with the clients we serve. As a condition of employment, Damien Center requires team members to be vaccinated against influenza and receive a tuberculosis skin test (or chest x-ray) annually, barring an approved religious or medical exemption.

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

Damien Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, other legally protected status, or genetic (including family medical history) information. 

Damien Center complies with applicable federal laws and with all state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which Damien Center has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. 

Please apply at  

This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment. Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.