Director of the Iowa City Arts Alliance

Organization:

Iowa City Downtown District

Employment Type:

Full-time

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and passion for arts and cultural programming and community partnership development to: betsy@downtowniowacity.com

Position Overview
The Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Director of the Iowa City Arts Alliance to lead the launch and foundational development of a new, community-driven Arts Alliance serving the Iowa City area. Iowa City’s arts ecosystem is both deeply rooted and continually evolving. It is defined by a vibrant community of artists, arts organizations, and an exceptionally engaged public. Over the past 25 years, the community has experienced significant growth, including the development, renovation, and expansion of performance and cultural venues; the evolution of a cultural core that extends from downtown to surrounding neighborhoods; and transformative investment in the University of Iowa’s arts campus. This momentum builds on a longstanding legacy of artistic leadership, including the University’s pioneering role in creative writing, visual arts, and performing arts education over the past century. Equally important, this growth has been shaped by strong collaboration across organizations, businesses, the University, and local government, alongside powerful, community-driven fundraising and support efforts that have elevated institutions such as FilmScene, The Englert Theatre, Riverside Theatre, and Public Space One. Together, these efforts have created the rich cultural footprint Iowa City enjoys today. This full‑time, one‑year position is designed to establish the structure, strategy, and operational framework for long‑term success. The Director will serve as the primary leader, convener, and representative of the Arts Alliance working closely with partners, an Advisory Committee, and key stakeholders to position the Alliance as an active voice, champion, and resource for the arts in the Iowa City area. This role represents a unique opportunity to bring together a wide range of voices and perspectives to help shape a more connected, sustainable, and ambitious future for the arts in our community. This position is employed by the Iowa City Downtown District and reports directly to the Executive Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development:

Move the work of the Arts Alliance Feasibility Study and other arts and culture cohorts forward

Lead the development of a comprehensive Arts Alliance Strategic Plan, including vision, mission, priorities, and implementation roadmap

Establish foundational organizational structures, including governance recommendations, membership framework, and operating model

Identify and advance short- and long‑term funding strategies, including grants, and partnerships

Align Arts Alliance initiatives with regional economic development, tourism, and placemaking strategies

Advisory Committee Leadership:

Coordinate and lead the Arts Alliance Advisory Committee

Facilitate monthly meetings, including agenda development, materials, and follow‑up action tracking

Build alignment among committee members around shared goals, priorities, and decision‑making processes

Serve as a connector between committee members, partner organizations, and the broader arts community

Program & Initiative Management:

Lead planning and execution of key Arts Alliance initiatives, including Free Week as a signature cultural program

Support the development of collaborative programming that elevates local artists, organizations, and venues

Identify opportunities to expand visibility, participation, and access to arts and cultural experiences

Manage timelines, deliverables, and evaluation metrics for all initiatives

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation:

Serve as the public‑facing representative of the Arts Alliance across meetings, events, and community engagements

Build and maintain strong relationships with arts organizations, artists, nonprofits, government partners, and community leaders

Support communications that elevate arts and culture as a core part of the area’s identity and economy

Act as a liaison to key institutional and funding partners

Operations & Administration:

Organize and manage monthly meetings, work sessions, and stakeholder convenings

Develop systems for documentation, reporting, and knowledge‑sharing

Establish processes that support long‑term sustainability and future organizational growth

Qualifications

3–5+ years of experience in arts administration, nonprofit management, community development, or a related field

Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and program development

Strong facilitation skills and experience working with committees, boards, or stakeholder groups

Proven ability to build partnerships across diverse sectors

Passion for arts, culture, and community‑driven initiatives

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to engage diverse audiences and partners

Ability to balance creativity with operational discipline and fiscal responsibility

Benefits

Health insurance (100%)

Wellness program

Phone contribution

Starting 15 PTO/Vacation days, 4 sick days, and 10 paid holidays per year

Anticipated Salary: commensurate with experience

The Iowa City Downtown District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a mission‑driven organization, we believe our work is strengthened by the perspectives, experiences, and talents of our community. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and value a wide range of lived and professional experiences that may extend beyond a traditional resume. If your experience and skills align with this role and you are passionate about supporting a vibrant community, we encourage you to apply. If there is anything we can do to support you throughout the application process, please let us know.

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