The Director of Public Art & Commissions leads some of Arts New Orleans’ most visible work, overseeing the creation of transformative public art experiences that connect communities and celebrate New Orleans’ cultural vibrancy. This role combines strategic program leadership with hands-on project management. The Director of Public Art & Commissions will oversee three key program areas:
- Our established City of New Orleans Percent for Art Program, which commissions public art for city-owned buildings and spaces using municipal funds;
- Our growing private commissions portfolio; and
- LUNA Fête, our innovative festival of light, art and technology.
This position will play a pivotal leadership role and requires not just knowledge of public art, but the ability to supervise and coordinate a multi-person team effectively. We’re looking for someone with strong administrative skills and a demonstrated ability to manage others, especially during a period of organizational transition. This role requires a balance of high-level oversight, collaborative problem-solving, and active participation in day-to-day work.
Job Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 5+ years of experience in public art leadership
- 5+ years of management experience, including supervising staff and managing contractors
- Proven track record of managing multiple direct reports and developing high-performing teams
- Experience managing complex, multi-year public art projects with budgets exceeding $100,000, including murals and sculptures
- Strong knowledge of public art best practices, including artist selection processes, community engagement, and installation procedures
- Excellent project management skills with ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders including artists, city agencies, contractors, and community partners
- Knowledge of public art processes, including mural installations, sculptural works, and interior artwork collections
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences
- Proficiency in project management software and Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends for events and installations
Preferred:
- Experience managing municipal public art programs and/or leading public-private partnerships in the visual arts or public art sector
- Demonstrated ability to promote and secure public art projects by effectively communicating artistic value to clients, developers, and community partners
- Knowledge of New Orleans arts community and cultural landscape, or similar urban environments
- Grant writing and fundraising experience
- Background in curatorial practice or arts criticism
- Experience in events management
Personal Qualities:
- Passion for public art’s power to transform communities and create cultural connection
- Strong aesthetic sensibility and ability to evaluate artistic quality and appropriateness
- Diplomatic approach to managing competing interests and complex stakeholder relationships
- Adaptability and problem-solving skills for managing shifting priorities and unexpected challenges
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered arts practice
Job Responsibilities
Public Art Program Leadership
- Lead strategic planning and implementation and actively manage key projects within Arts New Orleans’ public art portfolio, including both Percent for Art and private commission projects
- Cultivate relationships with developers, corporations, and other businesses to promote and secure public and private art commissions for Arts New Orleans, generating new revenue
- Oversee complex, large-scale public art projects from conception through completion, ensuring quality execution and adherence to timelines and budgets
- Directly manage projects during high-volume periods or when project demands require senior-level engagement, especially as Arts New Orleans expands its commissions program and develops more complex projects working with the City of New Orleans
- Review and enhance public art contract templates to align with industry best practices and develop new contracts as needed for diverse art projects and artist partnerships
- Develop artist contracts for major commissions and review all contracts prepared by direct reports to ensure accuracy, compliance, and appropriate terms
- Strengthen relations with City of New Orleans to create a clear and simple permitting process for public art, aligned with national best practices
- Develop and maintain relationships with key city agencies, private clients, community organizations, and cultural institutions
- Oversee artist selection processes, including reviewing calls for artists and jury panels, and facilitating community input, as necessary
- Ensure all public art projects align with best practices in community engagement, accessibility, and cultural responsiveness
- Establish relationships with legal, engineering, and permitting departments to ensure successful project completion
- Strengthen and oversee the implementation of artist training programs, including Public Art School and LUNA Studio
Team Leadership & Management
- Foster a collaborative and creative team environment
- Partner closely with the Strategic Project Director to integrate the public art team into LUNA Fête and to align vision and grow the agency’s commissions program
- Be a thought partner with the Public Art Team to consider public art policies and best practices in public art
- Oversee the Strategic Project Director, Senior Public Art Project Manager and Public Art Project Manager, offering guidance, professional development, and performance feedback
- Partner closely with the Director of Youth Programs to secure and implement commissions for Young Artist Movement youth artists, and organize support from the Public Art Department as needed
- Develop and implement systems to move projects forward in a more timely and efficient manner for the entire public art team
- Conduct annual performance reviews and provide ongoing mentorship to direct reports as needed
- Support staff in managing shifting priorities, tight timelines, and complex stakeholder dynamics
- Oversee workload distribution and resource allocation across the public art team
Percent for Art Program Management
- Develop and oversee implementation of the annual Percent for Art plan, with input from the Strategic Project Director and Public Art Project Managers, managing $1 million+ in public art commissions annually
- Manage the Percent for Art Committee, including developing meeting agendas, facilitating discussions, and coordinating advisory input on project priorities and artist selections
- Maintain strong working relationships with City of New Orleans departments and officials
- Ensure compliance with all municipal policies, ordinances, procedures, and reporting requirements
- Represent Arts New Orleans at City Council meetings, public hearings, and community forums as needed
- Monitor and evaluate program impact, documenting outcomes for stakeholders and funders
- Manage annual reporting for the City of New Orleans Percent for Art and Gentilly Resilience District public art contracts
- Oversee the development and implementation of a new maintenance program for public art
Private Commissions Business Development
- Lead business development efforts to secure private public art commissions from corporations, institutions, and developers, including opportunities for professional artists, emerging artists, and youth artists in Arts New Orleans’ Young Artist Movement program
- Manage client relationships throughout the commissioning process
- Develop proposals, contracts, and project timelines for private clients
- Coordinate with Arts New Orleans executive leadership on pricing, scope, and strategic partnership opportunities
- Ensure quality delivery that enhances Arts New Orleans’ reputation and generates repeat business
LUNA Fête Festival
- Collaborate with the Strategic Project Director and Deputy Director to assess the full scope and needs of LUNA Fête, identifying where public art team members and other Arts New Orleans staff can best support
- Provide strategic support to the Strategic Project Director in focusing on the artistic vision and curation of the festival
- Ensure effective delegation of non-artistic responsibilities to a contracted event producer (e.g., bar management, vendor coordination, sanitation, security, etc.)
- Ensure operational elements of the festival are planned and executed efficiently, with a focus on timely communication and resource management
- Facilitate regular check-ins with the Strategic Project Director, the Director of Grantmaking and Operations, and the Marketing Director to ensure marketing efforts are on schedule and aligned with the festival’s goals
- Coordinate with the Director of Grantmaking and Operations, the Arts Market Manager, and the Strategic Project Director to integrate the Arts Market into LUNA Fête, ensuring it is organized efficiently and contributes meaningfully to the festival experience
- Help maintain the festival’s alignment with Arts New Orleans’ mission and ensure it continues to elevate the organization’s public visibility and impact
Stakeholder Relations & Community Engagement
- Represent Arts New Orleans at cultural events, conferences, and community meetings
- Build and maintain relationships with artists, curators, collectors, and arts professionals locally and nationally
- Facilitate community input processes for public art projects, ensuring authentic engagement and transparency
- Collaborate with neighborhood organizations, business associations, and resident groups on project planning
- Speak publicly about Arts New Orleans’ work and advocate for the value of public art
Organizational Responsibilities
- Participate in bi-weekly Arts New Orleans staff meetings and contribute to organizational planning
- Collaborate with Development Team on grant reporting and fundraising initiatives related to public art programs
- Work with Marketing Director to develop communications strategies for project announcements and community engagement
- Support organizational events and initiatives as needed
- Contribute to Arts New Orleans’ strategic planning and long-term vision development
Schedule
This is a full-time, exempt position. While general office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Director of Public Art and Commissions is expected to be fully committed to the organization’s mission and available to work evenings and weekends as necessary. This is not a standard 9-to-5 role and requires flexibility and a willingness to work beyond regular hours during peak periods or in support of key events.
Salary & Benefits
This is a full-time exempt employee position (40 hours/week). The salary is $80,000 – $100,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Starting salary determination considers:
- Experience managing public art programs, Percent for Art initiatives, or municipal cultural programs
- Demonstrated success in artist selection, community engagement, project management, and events/festival management
- Supervisory experience and team leadership capabilities
- Knowledge of public art conservation, maintenance, and collection management
- Experience managing large-scale public art projects with budgets over $100,000
- Educational background in arts administration, art history, or related field
- Proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders including artists, city departments, community groups, private clients, developers, and other commissioning partners
We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Arts New Orleans pays 100% of team members’ health insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan through Mutual of America, with Arts New Orleans matching 2% of your total salary
- Flexible vacation
How We Work
The Arts New Orleans team primarily works remotely, although we have a studio where team members often work and staff meetings are held. Soon, the organization plans to transition to a hybrid work model, with all staff expected to work in person at least two days per week. This job requires attendance at evening and/or weekend meetings, events or workshops. Arts New Orleans is involved in numerous community activations, including monthly art markets and public art unveilings. Additionally, team members regularly attend performances, gallery openings, art festivals, and other cultural activities!
Is Our Director of Public Art & Commissions Role a Good Fit for You?
If you are passionate about making a difference in the arts, possess the outlined skills and qualifications, and thrive in a remote-first environment that values autonomy and connection, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity.
About Arts New Orleans
Celebrating its 50th year of operations, the Arts Council of New Orleans (dba Arts New Orleans) is a private, nonprofit organization that supports arts and culture in the city. Our mission is to support public art and artists, creating work that inspires, connects, and enriches the community through creative expression. Our vision is to cultivate vibrant communities through the impact of arts and culture.
Arts New Orleans’ core pillars include:
- Empower & Develop Artists at All Levels: We provide professional development, resources, and economic opportunities for emerging and established artists. Through dedicated support and guidance, we equip artists to thrive, particularly those new to public art, while fostering connections to the broader New Orleans creative community.
- Create & Promote Art within the Community: We invest in the development of communities through the arts, leading the creation of new, accessible public art projects and showcasing art in ways that inspire, connect, and engage residents. From public art installations to markets, we bring art into everyday spaces, ensuring accessibility and a shared cultural experience.
- Foster Creative Expression & Opportunity for Youth: We empower youth – especially those with limited access to resources and opportunities – to explore the arts as a transformative tool for self-expression and healing. Through programs like Young Artist Movement, we increase access to creative outlets, foster collaboration, and support personal growth, offering young people the tools and inspiration they need to imagine and pursue a brighter future.
Learn more at https://www.artsneworleans.org/.
How to Apply
Please email a cover letter (no more than two pages), resume, and three references to jobs@artsneworleans.org. Include your name and Director of Public Art and Commissions in the subject line. Resumes submitted without a cover letter or sent by a job service will not be reviewed.
The application deadline is August 3, 2025. Early applications are encouraged and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews will be held August 14 – 15 but may begin earlier as qualified applicants are identified.
Leave a Reply