Arts and Culture Programs Manager

About JONES CENTER
For 30 years, Jones Center has been a trusted community anchor for Northwest Arkansas—a place where everyone can learn, play, and thrive together. With 600,000 annual visitors and a mission to fuel community connections and cultivate spaces and experiences for all, we serve as a dynamic hub for education, recreation, arts, and nonprofit sustainability. Through our Jones Community for Nonprofits campuses, we empower more than 100 mission-driven organizations, strengthening the social fabric of our region.

Job Summary

The Arts and Culture Programs Manager provides strategic and administrative leadership for the Jones Center’s arts and culture portfolio, including long-term planning, financial management, program evaluation, partnership development, contract negotiation, and implementation of operating practices.

This role serves as the programmatic lead for arts and culture programming at the Jones Center, developing engaging and accessible experiences that bring people together through the arts, culture, creativity, and community.

The Arts and Culture Programs Manager develops, coordinates, and executes a diverse portfolio of arts and cultural programming, including ticketed performances, classes, workshops, community events, cultural celebrations, exhibitions, and other special programming.

A key focus of this position is identifying new programming opportunities and cultivating relationships with artists, performers, instructors, subject matter experts, community organizations, affiliates, schools, businesses, and civic and cultural institutions. Through these relationships, this role will create programs and experiences that reflect and serve the broad and diverse Northwest Arkansas community. This position requires flexibility for after-hours and weekend events.

Main Responsibilities
- Serve as the programmatic lead for all Jones Center arts and culture programming.
- Develop and implement the organization’s annual arts and culture strategy, including program priorities, audience-development goals, community impact objectives, revenue opportunities, partnership strategies, and long-term growth recommendations.
- Evaluate the arts and culture program portfolio using participation, financial performance, community impact, market demand, and organizational priorities; exercise independent authority to recommend, approve, modify, expand, suspend, or discontinue programs within established parameters.
- Manage the Arts and Culture budget and financial performance, including developing budget recommendations; analyzing revenue, expenses, margins, attendance, and trends; establishing or recommending program pricing; approving expenditures; and reallocating resources within established authority limits.
- Identify and select artists, performers, instructors, vendors, and contractors; negotiate fees, deliverables, schedules, and contract terms; and commit organizational resources within established approval limits.
- Exercise independent judgment over significant arts and culture matters, including determining program requirements, resolving scheduling and resource conflicts, approving exceptions to established procedures, addressing contractual or performance concerns, and resolving significant participant, partner, artist, or operational issues without routine prior approval.
- Develop, interpret, and implement operating procedures and service standards for arts and culture programming, including artist engagement, contracting, program evaluation, accessibility, risk management, participant experience, and use of organizational facilities and resources.
- Serve as the organization’s subject-matter lead for arts and culture, providing senior leadership with recommendations regarding programming strategy, financial performance, community partnerships, contracts, risks, audience development, and new business opportunities.
- Develop, coordinate, and execute ticketed performances, classes, workshops, cultural events, community experiences, exhibitions, and other arts-focused programming.
- Provide strategic oversight of arts and culture programs from concept through evaluation, establishing program objectives, budgets, contract parameters, staffing and resource plans, performance expectations, and success measures; coordinate or delegate routine registration, logistics, supplies, setup, and event-day execution as appropriate.
- Proactively maintain clear, timely, and consistent communication and collaboration with Programming, Events, Operations, Safety & Security, Guest Services, Marketing, Development, Facilities, and other departments to ensure effective coordination and successful program execution
- Identify new and innovative programming opportunities based on community interests, emerging trends, participant feedback, and organizational priorities.
- Develop a balanced annual calendar of arts and culture programming that includes opportunities for a variety of ages, backgrounds, interests, and experience levels.
- Work collaboratively with other members of the Programming Team to integrate arts and culture into larger Jones Center programs, events, camps, and community initiatives.
- Evaluate program participation, financial performance, guest feedback, and overall impact to continuously strengthen programming.

Community Engagement & Partnerships
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local and regional artists, performers, instructors, cultural organizations, schools, nonprofits, businesses, civic institutions, and community partners.
- Identify and cultivate subject matter experts and community partners who can bring unique expertise, perspectives, and experiences to Jones Center programming.
- Seek opportunities to collaborate with Jones Center affiliates and existing community partners to expand programming and community engagement.
- Actively identify opportunities to engage individuals and communities that may not currently participate in Jones Center programs.
- Represent the Jones Center at community meetings, events, and partnership opportunities as appropriate.
- Serve as a connector between the Jones Center and the broader arts and cultural community throughout Northwest Arkansas.

Program Operations & Collaboration
- Develop and manage program budgets, revenue goals, expenses, contracts, and other financial components associated with assigned programming.
- Coordinate facility needs, room reservations, technical requirements, equipment, staffing, security, food and beverage, and other operational needs for programs and performances.
- Proactively maintain clear, timely, and consistent communication and collaboration with Programming, Operations, Safety & Security, Guest Services, Membership, Marketing, Development, Facilities, custodial, front-desk, and other departments to ensure effective coordination and successful event execution.
- Work with the Marketing Team to develop effective promotional strategies and ensure accurate, timely communication of program information.
- Collaborate with Development to identify potential sponsorship, grant, and donor opportunities that can support and expand arts and culture programming.
- Ensure programs and events provide an exceptional, welcoming, and inclusive experience for participants, performers, partners, members, and guests.

Additional Responsibilities
- Able to perform other general duties and special projects assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with community organizations, artists, instructors, partners, and stakeholders.
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple programs and priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Creative and innovative approach to program development with an understanding of how programming can build community and create a sense of belonging.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with a wide variety of community partners.
- Comfortable working a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, based on programs, performances, and events.
- Interest and enthusiasm for working with visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities and commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.
- Community-Minded: Understands that successful programming begins with listening to and building relationships with the community.
- Creative & Innovative: Continually looks for new ideas, partnerships, and experiences that expand the Jones Center's programming and reach.
- Relationship Builder: Develops authentic, productive relationships with artists, organizations, partners, colleagues, and community members.
- Collaborative: Works effectively across teams and recognizes that exceptional programs require strong internal and external partnerships.
- Organized & Results-Oriented: Successfully moves programs from idea to execution while managing details, deadlines, budgets, and competing priorities.
- Guest-Focused: Approaches every program and interaction with the goal of creating an exceptional, welcoming experience for every participant and guest.

Education, Training, and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in arts administration, recreation, community programming, event management, nonprofit management, education, or a related field preferred.
- At least three years of experience developing and managing programs, events, performances, classes, or community-based initiatives preferred.
- Experience managing program budgets, contracts, vendors, instructors, or performers preferred.
- Arkansas driver's license and good driving record.

Physical Requirements
- Ability to remain stationary, standing, or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Ability to lift 25–50 pounds occasionally and work in extreme weather conditions.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by event schedules.
- Ability to travel regularly between the Springdale and Rogers campuses.