Art by David Repyak

Posted: April 23, 2026

Northwind Art is hiring a Visual Arts Program Manager for Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media and Jewelry education!  

Description

Part-Time (32 hours/week) with benefits | Non-Exempt | $24.00–$27.00/hour | Port Townsend, WA

Northwind Art is seeking a creative and strategic Visual Arts Program Manager to lead and grow its visual arts education programs. This role offers the opportunity to shape a dynamic, revenue-generating program that serves a diverse community while supporting working artists and fostering meaningful creative engagement.

Based in Port Townsend, Northwind Art is a nonprofit dedicated to enriching lives through art, education, and community connection. The Program Manager will design and sustain a high-quality class program across multiple disciplines, taking an active role in increasing enrollment, building instructor relationships, and evolving offerings to meet community demand.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development & Revenue Growth

• Design and curate a compelling mix of visual arts and jewelry classes

• Identify programming gaps and introduce new offerings that increase enrollment

• Balance beginner, intermediate, and specialty-level classes

• Evaluate class performance and refine offerings to maximize participation

• Plan class calendars strategically based on seasonal trends and demand

Instructor Recruitment & Relationship Building

• Recruit and engage teaching artists aligned with Northwind Art’s mission and values

• Build a strong, reliable network of instructors with high teaching quality

• Support instructors in developing successful, well-attended classes

• Foster long-term relationships with artists who can build a following

Scheduling & Calendar Management

• Develop and maintain a forward-looking class schedule (multiple quarters ahead)

• Coordinate instructor availability with program needs

• Ensure a balanced schedule across disciplines, times, and formats

• Optimize scheduling to support consistent enrollment and program stability

Class Presentation & Enrollment Optimization

• Collaborate with instructors to create clear, compelling class descriptions

• Coordinate class imagery and visual assets

• Ensure classes are presented in an accessible and appealing way

• Partner with marketing to promote classes and drive registrations

Market Research & Program Innovation

• Research comparable arts programs locally and nationally

• Identify trends in class formats, pricing, and teaching approaches

• Translate insights into new program ideas and instructor recruitment strategies

Program Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Track enrollment, retention, and instructor performance

• Expand high-performing classes and refine or retire underperforming ones

• Use data and feedback to continuously improve program offerings

Key Outcomes

• Increased class enrollment and fill rates

• A strong and engaged roster of teaching artists

• A well-balanced, forward-looking class calendar

• Clear, compelling class offerings that attract new and returning students

• A recognizable and thriving visual arts program identity

Qualifications

• Background in visual arts, arts education, or creative program development

• Experience working with artists, instructors, or creative communities

• Strong organizational and project management skills

• Ability to balance creative vision with operational execution

• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities

• Proactive, curious, and research-driven approach to program development

Why Northwind Art?

Northwind Art is a community arts organization in Port Townsend focused on creativity, access, and connection. We offer a collaborative workplace where staff and artists help make art central to community life, along with competitive pay, pro-rated benefits, and opportunities for growth.

To Apply

Please submit your résumé and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and experience to: HR@NorthwindArt.org.

Northwind Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Northwind Art is committed to creating an inclusive environment for staff, artists, and participants.