Director of Learning - New York Foundation for the Arts : Job Details

Position Overview

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) seeks a passionate and visionary advocate for arts education to serve as its Director of Learning. This individual will be instrumental in shaping the future of LACO's education initiatives, advancing the orchestra's mission and engaging with diverse audiences across Los Angeles. As a leader within the organization, the Director of Learning will oversee LACO's flagship “Meet the Music” program and lead a dedicated team responsible for educational partnerships, community engagement, and curriculum development.

The Director of Learning will play a pivotal role in advocating for the value of arts education, serving as a thought leader both within LACO and across the wider community. This position regularly engages with musicians, Fellows, LAUSD administrators, teachers, and principals. A background in music education, public education, or community-based practices is essential to be successful in this position, along with a deep understanding of arts education coupled with exceptional leadership and communication skills.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Advocacy

• Champion arts education, advocating for its importance within the community and beyond.
• Build and sustain partnerships with schools, educators, and community organizations.
• Represent LACO at public events, communicating its educational mission.

Program Oversight

• Lead and expand the Meet the Music program, prioritizing underserved communities.
• Collaborate with LAUSD and other districts, manage Teaching Artist Fellows, develop curriculum, and maintain relationships with key administrators and leaders.
• Innovate educational programming with modern teaching methods and interdisciplinary approaches.

Team and Strategic Leadership

• Mentor and lead a team of educators, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
• Develop strategic goals for LACO's education programs, evaluating success and impact.
• Work with LACO's Artistic, Development, and Marketing teams to integrate education with broader organizational goals.

Development and Fundraising

• Partner with the development team to secure funding for educational programs.
• Build relationships with donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors to support LACO's educational mission.

Collaboration and Innovation

• Collaborate with the Artistic Department on select educational aspects of the Fellowship program, ensuring that these educational activities support the Fellows' professional development while maintaining the Fellowships' status as a prestigious, artist-driven program.
• Drive innovation in LACO's educational programming by integrating modern teaching methods, technology, and interdisciplinary approaches to increase engagement and relevance for 21st-century learners.

Community Engagement

• Build relationships with schools, community leaders, and donors to enhance LACO's educational reach.
• Manage partnerships with organizations like Slauson Recreation Center, Watts Learning Center, and USC's Neighborhood Academic Initiative.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in arts education, ideally in a musical setting.
• Passion for arts advocacy and experience engaging diverse communities.
• Exceptional communication and public speaking skills.
• Team management experience with a collaborative approach.
• Master's degree in music, education, or a related field preferred.
• Must satisfactorily complete a background check.
• Strongly preferred:
• Working knowledge of classical music.
• Familiarity working with LAUSD and dedicated arts funding sources such as Prop 28.
• Knowledge of CA educational standards.

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from diverse candidates, and we are committed to the creation of an inclusive work environment for all employees. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender expression/identity, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, or criminal conviction.

Application Instructions / Public Contact Information

Interested applicants should send cover letter, resume, and references to [email protected].