Fine Arts & Character Education Director

Description

The Fine Arts & Character Education Director provides strategic leadership for the development, expansion, and sustainability of Frost Valley YMCA’s Arts & Character Initiative. This role is focused on building internal and external partnerships that strengthen arts, nature-based, and character education programming while ensuring these experiences are deeply integrated across camp, community, and year-round programs.

The Director collaborates closely with all program departments, as well as artists, educators, schools, and community partners, to design and deliver high-quality arts and character-based experiences grounded in the core values of compassion, perseverance, and responsibility. Serving as both a lead facilitator and a trainer-of-trainers, the Director trains, coaches, and supports staff to independently lead impactful programming, while maintaining a select hands‑on teaching presence to model best practices, instructional quality, and experiential learning techniques.

Through partnership development, staff training, and program design, the Fine Arts & Character Education Director builds the systems, relationships, and capacity needed to sustain and grow meaningful arts and character education throughout Frost Valley YMCA.

Requirements

Direct Instruction & Program Leadership

• Develop and sustain external partnerships with regional arts, cultural, and education organizations (such as Bethel Woods, CAS, and similar groups) to co‑create programs, host events, and expand access to high‑quality arts and character experiences for campers, staff, and the broader community.
• Plan and lead arts and character classes, workshops, and experiential learning sessions for campers and participants.
• Serve as a lead facilitator for pilot programs, camp‑wide arts initiatives, murals, ensemble performances, reflection circles, and camper‑led workshops.
• Model high‑quality facilitation, inclusive teaching practices, and effective group management during live programs.
• Support the implementation of Frost Valley YMCA’s Strategic Plan by aligning Arts & Character programming, partnerships, and staff training efforts with organizational goals and long‑term priorities.

Staff Training & Capacity Building

• Train seasonal and year‑round staff to confidently lead arts and character activities through workshops, demonstrations, and side‑by‑side coaching.
• Build and support a network of adjunct staff and volunteers to enhance arts‑based program quality and creativity.
• Teach staff how to facilitate fine arts projects, nature‑based creative experiences, and character discussions.
• Develop and deliver staff training modules focused on lesson structure, facilitation skills, reflection practices, and character integration.
• Support peer mentoring and CIT leadership by preparing returning staff to serve as arts and character leaders.

Curriculum Development & Program Integration

• Develop and refine written Arts & Character curriculum that can be led by the Coordinator and implemented by other staff.
• Adapt curriculum across departments and age groups while maintaining consistency in values and learning outcomes.
• Create clear lesson plans, facilitation guides, and reflection prompts to support staff success.

Program Coordination & Evaluation

• Collaborate with program leaders to schedule, support, and scale arts and character programming across Frost Valley.
• Collect and analyze feedback from campers, families, and staff using observation tools, reflection journals, and surveys.
• Contribute to end‑of‑season reviews, program summaries, and impact documentation.

Family & Community Engagement

• Lead or co‑lead family showcases, exhibitions, and celebrations of camper work.
• Support communication efforts by documenting programs and highlighting staff‑and‑camper‑led successes.
• Participate in community‑facing workshops and events as appropriate.
• Embrace Frost Valley YMCA’s character values and mission.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required:

• Experience leading classes or group instruction with youth in camp, education, arts, or community‑based settings
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and mentor staff
• Background or experience in multiple…