Associate Director Civic Relations and Partnerships

About The Art Institute Of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

The Civic Relations and Partnerships team is specifically focused on driving attendance through strategic civic, community, and cultural partnership initiatives and advancing the museum’s civic profile.

The Associate Director, Civic Relations and Partnerships leads the museum’s civic and community partnership initiatives—helping ensure the Art Institute is a welcoming, accessible place for all Chicagoans. In this role, you’ll build meaningful relationships across neighborhoods, strengthen strategic partnerships, and collaborate closely with colleagues across the museum to drive attendance and deepen community engagement. You’ll work alongside the Executive Director, the Manager of Marketing Operations, and teams across the institution to shape outreach strategies, cultivate civic and community partners, and represent the museum in neighborhoods throughout Chicago.

• Develops a neighborhood engagement strategy that helps our visitorship reflect the diversity of Chicago.
• Uses available data to identify priority areas, understand community assets and stakeholders, and build an annual outreach plan that drives attendance.
• Strengthens partnerships with the Chicago Public Library, Chicago Park District, and City Colleges, while establishing new, sustainable relationships that support museum priorities.

• Cultivates and manages a portfolio of civic and community partners, including elected officials’ offices, neighborhood organizations, cultural institutions, and economic development groups.
• Builds trusted relationships that expand the museum’s reach and support long‑term community engagement.
• Identifies opportunities for audience development that deepen connections between the museum and Chicago communities.

• Plans and executes strategic events and outreach initiatives that engage civic and community partners and amplify the museum’s key messages.
• Leads neighborhood meetings and off‑site engagements that strengthen relationships and increase visibility.
• Develops targeted communication plans that promote museum access, programs, exhibitions, and community impact.

• Builds strong internal relationships to align neighborhood engagement efforts with institutional priorities.
• Collaborates with colleagues to amplify existing programs, exhibitions, and events.
• Identifies cross‑departmental partnership opportunities and serves as a resource on community engagement strategies.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible audience development experience with a strong record of strategic partnership development; experience with elected officials and civic organizations preferred.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the museum’s mission and a demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment.
• Familiarity with Chicago and its neighborhoods preferred.
• Exceptional relationship-building and collaboration skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal, verbal (including public speaking), and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, project, and time‑management abilities; comfortable managing multiple projects and engaging key stakeholders.
• Ability to use data and insights to guide strategic decisions.
• Willingness to work a variable schedule when events require.
• Spanish fluency highly preferred.

• Spends extended…