Education & Community Engagement Director

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
Published
October 8, 2021
Location
50 N George St, York, PA 17401, York, PA
Category
Job Type
Salary/Wage
$55,000 - $75,000
Contact Name
Appell Center for the Performing Arts

Description

The Education & Community Engagement Director is a dynamic, creative, community connector
responsible for the overall leadership, management, coordination and facilitation of the Appell
Center’s education and community outreach initiatives. Those initiatives were set forth in 2020 via
a multi-year Education and Community Engagement Strategic Plan. The Director will be
responsible for implementing that plan while also having the opportunity to inform and redirect the
plan for maximum impact. Director will serve as a member of the Appell Center’s Senior
Management team.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Implement the multi-year Education & Community Engagement plan which includes four
    key goal areas

    • Engaging every York County student during their K-12 education experience by
      expanding the school matinee program, developing in-school residents, offering high
      school career days and becoming a venue for students to perform and share their work
      at performing arts festivals
    • Creating enrichment programs open to the public that will include establishing affinity
      groups, planning pre and post show audience engagement opportunities, adult classes
      and managing a public facility tour program
    • Spearheading initiatives that intentionally intersect the arts and our diverse community
      through free events in public spaces outside of our facility, sensory-friendly programs
      and quarterly listening sessions to address topics aimed to engage the broader
      community.
    • Fostering sustainable community partnerships by opening our doors and inviting in new
      resident partners, expanding our Ticket Outreach program to additional local nonprofits, serving as host for local organizations to drive diverse content.
  • Build relationships with new community stakeholders and develop programming to serve
    new guests
  • Manage department and program budgets, delivering programs within budget and seeking
    opportunities for revenue generation
  • Serve as a staff member on the Audience Development Committee and the Diversity,
    Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee
  • Other tasks as assigned

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job functions.
The activity level varies daily depending on a wide variety of circumstance many of which are out
of the control of the employer or employee.
Office hours are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday. Director will be expected to be present at
meetings, events and shows that occur outside of normal office hours.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be quite noisy.

About the Appell Center for the Performing Arts

Located at the corner of George and Philadelphia Streets in historic downtown York, PA, the Appell Center for the Performing Arts (previously the Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center) is Central PA’s premier venue for dynamic live entertainment, presenting an array of Broadway productions, comedy performances, live music and family shows. The facility encompasses five buildings, including two historic theatres – The Capitol, built in 1906 and The Strand, which opened in 1925. The Appell Center for the Performing Arts is committed to serving as the cultural center of the community, offering a diverse array of arts programs and education to enrich the quality of life for all area residents. We are focused on equality and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.


A non-profit organization, the Appell Center is led by an outstanding staff and guided by a Board of
Directors made up of community stakeholders and leaders. The organization is funded by a mix of
ticket revenue and donations from individuals (“members”), businesses, foundations and
government sources, which are key to the organization’s ongoing ability to offer high-quality
diverse performances, preserve the historic integrity of the theatres and serve as a cultural leader
in the community.

The Appell Center was recognized as a Best Place to Work in Pennsylvania 2019.

Our Vision and Mission

The vision of Appell Center for the Performing Arts is a community that is passionate about the
performing arts.
To work towards that vision, the Appell Center’s
mission is to inspire, educate and entertain
through professional performing arts experiences that bring together York County’s diverse voices.


Our Values

The organizational values that guide our work are Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Diversity,
Respect, Passion, Inclusivity, Excellence.


Our Community Commitment

As a public gathering place for the brilliantly diverse community, we at the Appell Center see it as
our top priority to ensure that all of our patrons, performers, staff and guests feel welcome –
regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion or sexual orientation. The performing arts unite
everyone in shared experiences and expand all of our horizons. Filling our house with those of
diverse backgrounds and perspectives makes our entire organization stronger

General Requirements & Skills

Critical Success Factors
The critical success factors listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability
required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the job functions.

  • An appreciation for the performing arts and the opportunities the arts provide to bring
    community together and leverage educational benefits
  • Proven ability to network with community resources, build relationships and create
    community partnerships
  • Ability and desire to assess needs and opportunities, create programs that meet those
    needs and lead implementation
  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; demonstrates sensitivity and tact in
    interpersonal relations
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including well-developed public speaking
    skills
  • Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required
  • Ability to multi-task and manage a large number and variety of projects concurrently
  • Behavioral characteristics of successful candidates will include
    • Initiative
    • Problem-solver
    • Effective communicator (internally and externally)
    • Creative thinker
    • Business-minded
    • Detail-oriented
    • Professional

Education and Experience
Minimum 5 years’ experience in a related position
University degree in a related field of study considered an asset, though an equivalent
combination of experience and education will be considered.
Experience building relationships and engaging a diverse set of communities and
stakeholders, preferably in York County, PA.


Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger,
handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee
frequently is required to stand, walk, climb or balance. The employee is often required to sit and
stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and
will occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision,
and depth perception.
Excellent hearing is essential.
All Appell Center staff and volunteers are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Related Jobs

Vice President of Grants and Community Engagement   14 West Market Street, Pennsylvania
March 18, 2024
Part-time Coordinator of Embracing Aging and TroveStreet   14 West Market Street, Pennsylvania
March 18, 2024
Community Giving Officer   Wrightsville, PA
March 13, 2024
Senior Project Leader   Wrightsville, PA
March 13, 2024