Assistant Director, Art Collective

Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all.

We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives.

Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT).

Program/Department Description

Community Access' Art Collective is a creative community supporting people living with mental health concerns to develop as artists. It provides opportunities for members to build skills, knowledge, and sustain their creative practice through access to studio space, materials, professional opportunities, and a community grounded in support and self-determination. Art is the framework through which artists claim meaningful social roles and build lasting relationships within the studio and the wider community. Membership is open to the community of people with mental health concerns living in New York City.

Position Overview

The Community Access Art Collective

Assistant Director

and Artist in Residence (Assistant Director) will collaborate with the Director and member-artists to sustain and grow the program as a vehicle for developing, creating, exhibiting, and marketing participants' work. This role supports expanding access to the visual arts within Community Access, with an emphasis on developing a professional screen print practice.

The

Assistant Director

builds on the strengths of members, fostering innovation and self-expression while nurturing participants' artistic skills and talents. They support the continued development of the program as a space for creative growth and recovery, while helping to maintain daily operations and advance members' life and career goals. In partnership with the Director and participants, the Assistant Director also helps identify and secure resources both within the program and the broader community.

In addition to administrative and programmatic responsibilities, the

Assistant Director

holds the designation of Artist in Residence (AIR). In this capacity, they are encouraged to pursue their own creative practice and professional development, with access to the collective's studio facilities, including screen printing equipment, outside of work hours (materials not included).

This dual designation is intended to ground the program in the active practice of working artists supporting artists, and to sustain a dynamic, creative studio environment that promotes skill-sharing, experimentation, and artistic growth.

Job Qualifications

Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
Minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or minimum of five years of experience in the visual arts, with advanced screen-printing experience, personal creative practice, and experience creating artwork with diverse communities.
Experience teaching screen printing to beginners and working with professionals.
Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Strong analytical ability.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Be creative and flexible.
Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Adobe and Microsoft platforms, social media and ecommerce websites, specifically Shopify.
Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the New York State Justice Center.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should apply on www.communityaccess.org/jobs.

Community Access is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V.

Women, People of Color and Members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as having a personal experience using mental health services.

www.communityaccess.org