City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Art in Public Places Coordinator

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for the coordination and management of public art projects within the Art in Public Places Program, including the selection and commission of artists, contract management, and public education of the Art in Public Places Program and initiatives, as set forth by Ordinance. 

1. Assists the manager with program implementation, public outreach, and artist development; and provides lower-level support to the planning, development, and implementation of public art projects from inception to completion.
2. Acts as liaison between artists, architects, contractors, developers, City departments, and community groups in the selection and commissioning of artists and the execution of public art projects.
3. Recommends, develops, and assists with the facilitation of the procurement processes of public art in accordance with program ordinance and guidelines.
4. Assists, as necessary, with the selection process for artist and artwork by assisting with recruiting qualified jurors, scheduling meetings, preparing materials for review, providing orientation for participants, and facilitating selection.
5. Identifies and oversees maintenance needs of the public art collection to include annual assessment of the collection, contracting for the repair of artworks, and maintaining artwork values for City insurance coverage and claims.
6. Identifies artwork proposed for deaccession and assists in facilitating deaccession procedures according to adopted City policy.
7. Facilitates artwork donation process and coordinates with donors, user departments, Boards and Commissions, and stakeholder groups, according to adopted City policy.
8. Fields inquiries about the program or particular public art projects, including media requests. Recruits program participants and provides education through programmatic outreach efforts; represents the program at a limited number of public events and meetings, and makes public presentations as appropriate.
9. Bears responsibility for all phases of contracts with contractors. Assists in the management of project artwork budget, schedules, and payments; and provides updates to internal and external stakeholders.
10. Develops and maintains appropriate program and project documentation, including paper and electronic files, databases, visual archives, publicity materials, and web resources.
11. Provides professional expertise to committees, colleagues, and artists in areas including public engagement, aesthetics, siting, durability, context, content, architectural integration, and best practices; and evaluates and recommends improvements to program and project management practices and procedures.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of construction methods; project accounting; and the principles, methods, and practices of project management.
• Knowledge of fields of public art, contemporary visual art, creative place-making, construction processes, and urban design, including current trends and best practices.
• Skill in advanced oral and written communication.
• Skill in data analysis, process evaluation, and problem-solving, including troubleshooting and developing consensus around complex issues and situations.
• Skill in using computers and software applications, including databases, social media, and project management tools.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks, including ability to manage a multi-faceted workload with self-direction under limited supervision.
• Skill in managing a variety of team members, systems, budgets, timelines, and schedules to achieve successful project completion.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all public dealings.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse constituencies.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field, plus two (2) years of experience related to administrating, coordinating, or managing public art projects.
• Experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years.