Arts Director

The arts have the power to drive economic growth and community vitality across Iowa. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is seeking a mission-driven leader to serve as the next Arts Director
.

In this role, you’ll lead a dynamic team of IEDA arts team staff members, administer impactful grant programs, coordinate and collaborate with the Iowa Arts Council advisory, and champion the arts as a catalyst for economic prosperity across Iowa.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is dedicated to making Iowa the choice for people and business by building partnerships, leveraging resources, and strengthening economic and community vitality. IEDA administers several state and federal programs focused on business and community development to reach its goals of assisting individuals, communities, and businesses. Whether it is an enterprise or start up, a rural community seeking to preserve its history and highlight its arts and culture, or a community recovering from a disaster, IEDA creates opportunities for Iowans to thrive.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Arts Team, and the Iowa Arts Council, play a vital role in fostering creativity, supporting artists and organizations, and integrating arts and culture into community and economic development statewide. As the Arts Director, you will:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Arts team, advancing arts initiatives and fostering creativity, learning, and participation statewide.
• Lead the Arts team
  . Coach, guide, and evaluate assigned team members, manage workloads, and track projects.
• Coordinate and directly collaborate with the Iowa Arts Council advisory
  , to provide recommendations for the development and implementation of Iowa’s strategic arts plan.
• Oversee state and federally funded arts programs
  , ensuring compliance, effective fund distribution, and impactful service delivery.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for arts-related projects
  , representing IEDA at conferences, site visits, and regional gatherings.
• Administer partnership agreements
  , including with the National Endowment for the Arts, and manage a multi-million dollar budget.

• Impactful Work: Make a lasting impact on Iowa’s creative landscape and economic future.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for attending conferences and workshops to promote programs and learn about their impact.
• Collaborative Environment: Work with a dedicated team of professionals committed to making a difference for Iowans and communities.

• Regulatory Knowledge: Ability to promote the arts as a driver of community vitality within the bounds of state and federal regulations.
• Program Management: Proven experience managing programs involving state or federal grant funding.
• Leadership
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to mentor and direct a team.
• Dedication to uphold our Core Values:
  • Accountability in Action - We take pride in our work and results.
  • Innovate Together - We thrive on solving challenges through dynamic collaboration with our teams and partners.
  • Mission Driven - We place Iowans at the heart of everything we do.

New to the area or looking to relocate to Iowa? Visit  to see how Iowa offers something for everyone - competitively low cost of living, bustling cities and neighborhoods, access to entertainment, opportunities for career growth and unrivaled access to outdoor adventures.

As an employee of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, you are a State of Iowa employee, and you are eligible to enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.

To learn more about benefits available to State of Iowa employees visit the benefits web page.

The Arts Director is a…