DIRECTOR, ARTS & SOCIAL IMPACT

Reporting to the Senior Director of Arts & Social Impact (SDASI), the Arts & Social Impact Director, Performing Arts (ASID) is responsible for leading the Museum’s performing arts portfolio and delivering artistic and cultural experiences that advance the Museum’s vision of the arts as a liberating force that fosters confidence, curiosity, and belonging. The ASID develops inclusive, culturally representative programming that engages the Museum’s audiences, including children, caregivers, educators, and community partners.

The Performing Arts portfolio includes a variety of interdisciplinary programs, performances, and interactive experiences designed to engage audiences in live arts. The ASID will be responsible for guiding the implementation of a robust lineup of annual programs that reflect the cultural diversity of Boston’s communities, collaborating with local creatives, organizations, and educators to increase program offerings. Through music, dance, theater, or interdisciplinary work, the ASID will ensure that performing arts at the Museum are accessible, inclusive, and authentically connected to the lived experiences of children and their families. 

In addition to ongoing performing arts programming, the ASID manages targeted initiatives, including long-term grants and special events. This includes leading Boston Children’s Museum’s pilot of The Lullaby Project, which partners new and expecting parents with professional artists to create personalized lullabies that support the caregivers’ well-being, childhood development, and bonding. Working with the SDASI, the ASID  will oversee all aspects of the project—from program design and implementation to artist recruitment, partnership coordination, and evaluation—focusing on caregivers facing social and economic stressors.

The ASID also manages annual celebrations and programs, such as the Juneteenth event, Summer Sound Bath Series, Music & Movement classes, and Nutcracker Spectacular weekend. These programs engage community partners and highlight how diverse forms of artistic expression affirm identity and foster connection.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Participate as an active member of the Arts & Social Impact team, developing engaging, fun, and interactive programs and experiences for children, families, and educators, for use inside and outside of the Museum. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Work with the Senior Director of Arts & Social Impact and museum leadership to define, outline, and implement performing arts programming in alignment with the team and Museum’s short and long-term institutional plans.
• Participate as a senior member of the Programs & Exhibits division, attend division meetings, assess, and report on progress for the ASI team objectives, work collaboratively with others in the division and throughout the Museum. 
• Manage team budgets, including grants, and targeted funds. Work with the Senior Director to suggest budget needs and priorities across the performing arts portfolio. Provide content and generate necessary reports for grant proposals, executive team, and fulfill other analytic requests as needed.
• Supervise the Arts & Social Impact Educator, providing guidance, mentorship, and coordination to ensure alignment with performing arts and broader departmental goals.
• Support the program and partnership development process, including brainstorming, planning and writing, testing and implementation, evaluation, and revisions.
• Serve as primary project coordinator for performing arts programming, including external communication with partners, and back-end logistics such as organizing tracking spreadsheets, databases, program data, etc.
• Work with the ASI Team and other staff members to create staffing plans that cover programs 
• Lead the approach and delivery of special event and vacation week programming which includes school vacation weeks, summer programming, and other holiday programming.
• Promote a child-centered educational philosophy, with an emphasis on child-directed play and exploration.
• Serve visitors from diverse populations with age-appropriate programming, courteously and professionally.
• Support institutional and departmental initiatives, goals, and operations. Participate in required all-staff activities, discussions, meetings, and training.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Requirements 

• 7+ years of relevant arts experience with 5 years of people management or supervision experience
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (arts, music, arts administration, education, creative youth development, humanities, art therapy, etc.).
• Deep understanding of the artistic and collaborative process, particularly in music and community-based arts, with experience developing participatory programs that center participant voices while maintaining strong artistic integrity.
• Proven ability to guide workshops, performances, and musical experiences from concept to execution, including facilitation, creative flow, audience engagement, and production details.
• Experience supporting, mentoring, and managing artists, educators, and teaching staff, providing constructive feedback and ensuring program fidelity.
• Strong relationship-building skills with artists, families, community organizations, early childhood networks, and social service providers, including sustained partnerships across Greater Boston.
• Ability to navigate complex institutions (e.g., education, healthcare, government), adapt communication strategies, and advance shared program goals with diverse stakeholders.
• Skilled in coordinating multi-site programs, managing logistics, communications, documentation, evaluation, and reporting for funders and stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and strategic planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and act proactively.
• Commitment to direct community engagement and building meaningful connections with diverse audiences, including children, families, and caregivers.
• Flexibility, problem-solving, and the ability to read organizational dynamics, adapt strategies, and work collaboratively as a team member, supervisor, and mentor.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, including presentations.
• Experience in formal or informal education settings, developing programs for children (especially age 10 and under) and families.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)