Art Garage

Updated 10/2025 ###### **The Art Garage Mission and Values:** **Mission:** The Art Garage’s mission is to offer visual arts-based programs that inspire, empower, and promote creative self-expression by people of all ages and backgrounds. On-site and off-site studio workshops and exhibitions engage the greater Denver community and outreach is provided to those who are underserved and marginalized to ensure the artistic process is fully accessible and inclusive. **Equity Statement: **At The Art Garage, we believe everyone is an artist. With a commitment to equity, we strive to ensure accessibility to the arts and to amplify voices that have been systematically excluded. We work to enrich our community by providing space for individuals to be their most authentic, creative selves. The Art Garage strongly encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected status. ###### **Open Positions:** 1. [Executive Director](https://artgaragedenver.com/articles/315) 2. [Guest Artists](https://artgaragedenver.com/articles/288) ###### **Not Currently Hiring but Always Accepting Applications:** 1. Visual Art Instructor/Facilitator (part-time) 2. Visual Art Party Instructor (part-time) 3. Part-time Program Assistant All interested individuals are encouraged to apply, regardless of meeting all listed requirements. ###### **Executive Director** The Art Garage seeks a dynamic and strategic leader to guide the organization’s continued growth and impact in the community. This role oversees all aspects of development, fundraising, operations, and strategic planning to ensure long-term financial sustainability and Mission alignment. The ideal candidate is an experienced nonprofit professional with a proven track record in donor cultivation, community partnerships, and organizational leadership. With creativity and vision, this leader will strengthen The Art Garage’s programs, expand its reach, and champion its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The Art Garage Executive Director is responsible for providing the community with equitable and accessible art programs throughout the year in correlation with The Art Garage’s mission and in partnership with The Art Garage Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and community members. **Responsibilities and Duties:** **Fundraising and Grant Management** * Creates and implements an overall development strategy to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization. Identifies, cultivates, stewards, and manages a portfolio of current and future donors. * Develops, oversees, and implements the annual fund drive of $250,000-$350,000 to ensure support for The Art Garage. * Creates and implements strategies to identify and secure philanthropic partnerships with corporations that reflect their marketing and business needs, as well as community engagement goals. * Develops and executes strategies to identify and secure new supporters and increase annual commitments. * Responsible for coordinating solicitations of all donors and serving as a point of contact for them. * Evaluates historical giving data to inform and adjust annual campaign strategy and set appropriate fund-raising goals. * Expands and directs the planned giving program for the organization. * Oversees the entire development business process and staff, including internal gift policies from donor identification to stewardship, ensuring efficiency and accuracy. * Serve as the organization’s primary funding manager for annual and prospective funding opportunities. Write and prepare grant proposals, create timelines for deadlines and final reporting. * With The Art Garage Board of Directors, plan, implement, and execute strong fundraising campaigns and events that attract sustaining donors to increase diversified revenue streams. * Oversee all marketing and social media to boost The Art Garage’s impact and community awareness. **Leadership** * Develop organizational goals and objectives consistent with the mission and values developed in the Art Garage Culture Cares Model. * Develop and lead execution of the organization’s strategic plan, in partnership with the board of directors and staff. * Maintain and increase community impact, funding opportunities, and visibility for The Art Garage. * Act as a primary networking liaison for The Art Garage within the greater community * Continue organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts with support of The Art Garage DEIA Committee. Expand the board to include more BIPOC candidates. * Work with the Board of Directors to develop credentials for Board members; philanthropic capacity, diverse skill set, connections. * Communicate regularly with staff and stakeholders. * Attends all Art Garage events. * Serve as a non-voting member of The Art Garage’s board of directors, update and collaborate with the governing body in partnership with The Art Garage subcommittees. **Operational Management** * Oversee the organization’s financial activities, ensuring that records and transactions are accurate and are compliant with local, state, and federal law. Ensure effective audit trails, accurate budgeting, monitoring, forecasting, and reporting. * Responsible for scheduling the annual external audit and working in cooperation with the auditors to complete the examination of financial records. * Provides financial oversight of the organization to ensure accurate budgeting, monitoring, forecasting, and reporting. * Ensure all legal contracts and partnership agreements protect the organization and are in accordance with local, state, and federal law. * Oversee property maintenance and lease agreements. * Ensure legal hiring and termination procedures and compliance with legal Human Resources policies. * Utilize resources like CO Nonprofit Association to ensure best practices are followed in regards to employment. * Develop a digital sustainability plan to ensure The Art Garage is protected. * Oversee the timely creation of Staff Action Plans, Annual Impact Reports, and monthly Executive Reports for board meetings. **Programming and Partnerships** Supports Education Director and Program Director to facilitate, maintain, and develop onsite and offsite programming that fulfills The Art Garage’s mission. **Qualifications:** * 5-10 years of nonprofit management experience * An unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessible practices and implementations for The Art Garage organization * Strong managerial and communication skills * Fundraising and grant experience * Human Resources and policy experience **Additional Position Details:** **Compensation**: $75,000-$85,000 depending on experience **Benefits** This position offers a comprehensive benefits package along with flexible time off, potential performance bonuses, and the opportunity to work in the vibrant Park Hill neighborhood surrounded by a passionate, creative community that makes The Art Garage such a special place to be. FLSA Status: Full-time Exempt **To Apply:** Please submit a 1-2 page cover letter, résumé, and a list of (3) professional references addressed to the Chair of the Art Garage Board, Lori Goldstein at **[boardofdirectors@artgaragedenver.com](mailto:boardofdirectors@artgaragedenver.com)**. Application Deadline: Position open until filled. ##### **Guest Artists** The Art Garage strives to provide diverse programming to our students and we are always looking for artists to teach techniques, projects, styles, and media not taught by our current staff. If you feel you have a unique skillset or perspective to bring to The Art Garage, learn more about Guest Artists [HERE](https://artgaragedenver.com/articles/288) and fill out our [Guest Artist Inquiry Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7HGcLcnx_wBLQF15_ep_jVODfVU1ig0j3GxffGewc7Sir4g/viewform)! ##### **Visual Art Instructors/Facilitators and Visual Art Party Instructors:** Starting pay $30.00-$32.50 / hour **Position Purpose:** The Art Garage Instructors role is to facilitate a group of students through hands-on exploration of the visual arts using a variety of techniques and materials while meeting each student where they are at and guiding them through personal learning and growth. **Ideal instructors have:** * Passion for art and community work * A commitment to equity and accessibility in the visual arts * The ability to be flexible and reliable * The ability to collaborate with others * Excellent communication skills * Experience with fine arts, art education, art therapy, special education, early childhood education and/or adult education Instructors may have a background in art education, be self-taught artists, ECE teachers, professional practicing artists, or be in an artistic or therapeutic profession. Instructors often work in a variety of instructor/facilitators roles at The Art Garage. Below are more details about different roles. **Party Art Instructor:** In this position you work directly with the children and family to offer high-energy, fast-paced, exciting and creative art parties. Families work together with the Administrative Assistant on choosing an art theme and materials. Teachers and Program Assistant will greet the host family, guest of honor and the guests as they come in. Teachers are responsible for developing a 1.5 hr project/lesson plan, providing classroom management and engaging participants. Teachers should be comfortable with leading a game, story-time, song or dance to keep students engaged during any spare time during the party. In this position you are not only working as an art teacher, but also as a party host and entertainer to give the families a stress free, fun and safe party for their child. **Visual Art Instructor and Facilitators:** * Adult Classes: Art classes held during daytime or evening for students 18+ in a variety of art media. Instructors can propose ideas for adult day workshops or workshop series. * School Day Out Classes (SDO) are typically three hours for kids ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. (SDOs) are based around the local school year calendar. A theme is given to work with, and the teacher will develop the curriculum/lesson plan around the theme. The Art Garage is specifically looking for people available over Thanksgiving, winter and spring break. We ask that Instructors commit to working at least one holiday week. We are not open on the actual holiday, but we are open the days before and after. Instructors collaborate with studio assistants in the classroom. * Weeklong Summer Classes are typically three hours/day for kids ages 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and teens; Instructors develop the theme, class description and lesson plans which will be reviewed with the Co-Executive Directors. The 2022 summer classes have been finalized and so predetermined themes will be given to new hires or new teachers. * After School Classes Instructors can submit their ideas for after school classes which are held for a variety of ages during after school hours. These classes are usually in a series for a month+ and held once a week. * The Art Garage Community Engagement Program works with partnered schools during school hours or after school and invites groups from various organizations to participate in 6 weeks (or ongoing) art classes. This is not an Art Therapy program and we do not provide Art Therapy supervision. However, we do believe in the healing power of art and are looking for teachers who can bring a therapeutic approach to this program. This includes a non-judgmental attitude, the ability to create a safe and non-threatening environment, experience with diverse populations, and an understanding of the creative process and its therapeutic nature. ###### **Program Assistants:** Starting at $18.29/ hour based on experience **Position Purpose:** The Art Garage Program Assistants are responsible for many different aspects of The Art Garage’s success including but not limited to the following: anticipatory needs of students and teachers, proficiency of studio function and aid in administrative duties. **Position Description:** Assist teachers in the classroom, as well as ensure general studio maintenance. Program assistant’s work includes; assist prepping materials at the beginning of classes, preparing snacks for students, assist teachers in classroom clean up, assist students in classes, office work, answering phones, lead students in games, or provide story time to students while on break, cleaning and organizing art supplies and overall garage including restrooms, sinks, mopping, etc. Program Assistants must be willing to work as a team, follow directions, work with customers and be positive role models for our students. We are looking for people with an interest in the arts, non-profit management or education. Completion of higher education or specialized programs are a plus. This is a part time position that is year round. Seasonal full time positions are available for the summer months. Pay varies based on experience. **Ideal assistants have:** * Passion for art and community work * A commitment to equity and accessibility in the visual arts * The ability to be flexible and reliable * The ability to collaborate with others * Excellent communication skills * An understanding of art mediums and use of materials * Experience with, genuine enjoyment for, and enthusiasm about working with children * A positive attitude toward cleaning, heavy lifting, and organizing * The ability to anticipate needs in the classroom and be a self-starter ###### [Apply Here for Program Assistant and Instructor/Facilitator Positions!](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oz3d3xDtcslK62GJ3Ftie6ARdYqgxFfViqjhiFqBb1M) Please note that we are not currently hiring for these positions but will keep your application on file for future hiring needs.

Employment Opportunities at The Art Garage!