POSITION: Community Engagement Coordinator (Full-Time)
SUPERVISOR: Director of the Office of Engagement
DEPARTMENT: Office of Engagement
COMPENSATION: $19.00 per hour
The Art Academy of Cincinnati is seeking a full-time, experienced, and strategic Community Engagement Coordinator to join our team. This position plays a central role in advancing AAC's visibility, access, and impact across the region through the management of arts outreach programs and public engagement initiatives. The role includes a six-month probationary period, after which a formal review will be conducted to assess performance and guide long-term success in the position.
JOB SUMMARY
The Community Engagement Coordinator oversees the daily operations and evaluation of programs housed in the Office of Engagement, including Future BFA, the Artist and Writer in Residence Program, Camp Art Academy, Teen Academy, community education courses, portfolio preparation courses, and public programs. This position is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of programs, supervising contracted instructors and program staff, maintaining studio spaces, and developing partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations.
The Community Engagement Coordinator represents AAC to local communities, builds sustainable engagement strategies, and ensures program excellence across all initiatives. The position also manages planned public events in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Advancement. This position requires a professional who can balance logistical oversight, community relationship-building, and the operational demands of high-quality arts education and engagement programs. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong communication and project management skills and a commitment to broadening access to the arts while strengthening the Academy's role in the community.
This position is hourly, full-time with benefits, and non-exempt, with hours commonly scheduled Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Flexibility in schedule is required to accommodate special events, student programming, and periods of increased activity throughout the academic year. This position reports to the Director of the Office of Engagement.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
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Under the oversight of the Director of the Office of Engagement, manage K-12 school-based programs, including the Artist and Writer in Residence Program and Future BFA Pre-College, overseeing schedules, staffing, and program operations.
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Assist with the coordination of Camp Art Academy, Teen Academy, community courses, portfolio preparation courses, and adult and youth workshops.
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Lead Camp Art Academy Drop off and Pick up procedures.
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Supervise contracted instructors and temporary staff, ensuring quality, consistency, and adherence to program standards.
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Maintain and organize the Community Education Studio, including supplies, materials, and equipment, and support studio operations.
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Manage registration, attendance tracking, and documentation for all programs using Jotform, Square, Excel, and other systems.
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Attend the first sessions of community courses and engagement events to ensure smooth program launches.
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Plan and coordinate program logistics, including setup, cleanup, communications, and material preparation.
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Represent AAC at community events, school visits, festivals, and public programs, including limited and pre-planned evening and weekend commitments.
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In collaboration with the Director of the Office of Engagement, build and maintain partnerships with schools, nonprofits, community organizations, and local cultural institutions.
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Assist with photography, social media, and program documentation to support promotion and outreach.
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Track program budgets and expenses in coordination with the Director of the Office of Engagement and the Finance Department.
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Collaborate with AAC departments, including Admissions, Marketing, Student Affairs, and Institutional Advancement, to support integrated programming.
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Participate in travel when and where needed.
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Perform additional duties that advance AAC's vision and fulfill its mission, as assigned by the President, Executive Team, and Director of the Office of Engagement.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS
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Demonstrated experience in community education, experiential learning, higher education administration, or related fields within arts, design, or creative education environments.
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Strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple programs, initiatives, and student-support responsibilities simultaneously.
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Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
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Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, employers, community partners, and creative industry professionals.
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Familiarity with digital registration and administrative platforms, including Jotform, Square, and Microsoft Excel.
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Knowledge of regional school systems and community networks.
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A collaborative, proactive, and student-centered approach to fostering professional readiness, inclusion, engagement, and student success across the AAC community.
REPORTING STRUCTURE
This full-time, hourly position reports to the Director of the Office of Engagement and collaborates closely with the Executive Director of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean; Executive Director of Enrollment, Marketing, and Student Success; and Executive Director of Facilities to advance AAC's mission and uphold its standard of excellence.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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Bachelor's degree in Arts Administration, Nonprofit Leadership, Fine Arts, Design, Art History, or a related field.
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Strong time management skills and attention to detail.
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Willingness to collaborate across departments and with a wide range of constituents.
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Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
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Ability to analyze, interpret, and manage information effectively.
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Proficiency with Mac and PC operating systems and Microsoft Office.
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Proficiency in the use of technology, particularly social media platforms, to support professional opportunities, job searches, and self-promotion within creative industries.
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Experience in an AICAD or other art college setting.
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Ability to lift, move, and carry objects up to 50 pounds unassisted and heavier objects with assistance.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
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Experience developing and managing professional readiness services for students in higher education.
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Minimum of one year of experience relevant to the position and job responsibilities.
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Leadership and/or project supervision experience.
The Art Academy of Cincinnati's mission is to create and sustain radical, forward-thinking, contemporary visual artists and designers whose creative contributions make a substantial difference in all the lives they touch.
AAC, established in 1869, is an independent college of art and design. Degrees granted are the Associate of Science in Graphic Design; the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Design, Illustration, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Print Media, Digital Arts Animation, and Sculpture; and the Master of Arts in Art Education.
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), AAC is a charter member of both NASAD and the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). AAC is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE).
AAC is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment and encourages candidates representing diverse backgrounds to apply. AAC is committed to policies of equal opportunity and non-discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, or veteran status, as protected by law. This includes all educational programs and activities, admission of students, advertisements, and conditions of employment. This policy is consistent with relevant governmental statutes and regulations, including those pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
All AAC policies and procedures may be reviewed in the Employee Handbook, available on AAC's website or through the Human Resources Manager.
Any changes to the AAC Employee Handbook supersede the terms of this position description.
For more information, please visit www.artacademy.edu.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
To apply, please submit the following:
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Letter of Interest
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Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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List of three references and contact information, including email addresses and phone numbers
For full consideration, apply by July 15, 2026.
Preferred start date: August 1, 2026.
