Public Art Project Manager bei City of Seattle, WA

About the Department

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) fosters a city driven by creativity, where everyone can engage in diverse arts and cultural experiences. Our vision is a city where success, safety, and health are not predetermined by race and where all artists and creative workers have the freedom, agency, and platform to share their stories, cultures, and art. 

In alignment with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) Ordinance, we seek new solutions that use arts as a strategy to drive not only our office, but the City as a whole, toward racial equity and social justice. We will continue to break barriers and build arts-integrated tools that challenge the status quo and push us toward the inclusive society we envision! We welcome applicants who share this goal and strongly encourage people of color, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experience to apply. 

As a Public Art Project Manager, you’ll help shape the creative fabric of Seattle by managing approximately 10–15 public art projects at various stages - including permanent artworks, temporary installations, and community-based initiatives. You’ll collaborate with artists, community members, city departments, and contractors to bring public art projects to fruition across Seattle! This role requires a mix of project coordination, contract management, equity-centered facilitation, and public engagement, and is ideal for someone who is organized, curious, and committed to building a more just and artist-centered city.

Position Duties

What You’ll Do Day to Day

 Public Art Project Management

• Manage a portfolio of 10–15 public art projects at various stages, with varying scopes, timelines, and budgets.
• Negotiate, draft, and oversee contracts with artists and consultants, including development of scope, schedule, budget, amendments, and payments.
• Monitor and review contracts, ensure compliance with project goals, and resolve challenges as they arise.
• Coordinate the design and execution of artworks with design teams, contractors, and City staff, ensuring successful delivery of projects through Seattle’s 1% for Art program and other initiatives.
• Secure permits and approvals; ensure compliance with ADA guidelines, City codes, and public art policies.
• Work cross-departmentally with partners such as Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle City Light, Seattle Department of Transportation, as well as community organizations and stakeholders.

Art Program Development & Planning

• Conduct needs assessments and consult with communities and departments to inform project planning.
• Define project goals, implementation strategies, and budgets aligned with RSJI goals.
• Prepare and review public-facing materials (e.g., press releases, grant proposals, brochures).
• Conduct research to guide planning and spending decisions.
• Present project updates to advisory committees and internal decision-makers.

Artist Selection & Support

• Develop equitable artist selection criteria and lead outreach to diverse applicants.
• Facilitate selection panels and provide technical assistance throughout the artist selection and onboarding process.
• Support artists through permitting, design review, and installation phases, centering both creative integrity and community responsiveness.

Community Engagement

• Coordinate public involvement efforts and lead inclusive outreach strategies.
• Facilitate workshops, forums, and feedback sessions that support community collaboration.
• Build relationships with residents, cultural communities, and community-based organizations.

Major Upcoming Projects: 

North Aurora Ave Project – this is a large-scale project with multiple utilities and public agencies to revitalize this corridor of Seattle, including active engagement with communities to integrate public art projects into this greater vision.  

Seattle Public Utilities South Park Water Quality Project -  participate in the public art planning and implementation for this large scale new facility. 

What Will Help You Thrive in This Role

We know that strong candidates bring a variety of skills and lived experiences. You don’t need to meet every listed qualification - if you’re excited about this work and ready to grow, we encourage you to apply!

You’ll be well-positioned for success if you bring a combination of the following:

• A demonstrated commitment to racial equity, inclusion, and engagement with diverse communities.
• Experience working with public artists on site-specific, community-centered, or design-team-based public art projects.
• Familiarity with contemporary visual art, art history, and/or arts programming.
• Ability to interpret architectural drawings or construction documents - or willingness to learn.
• Comfort with or interest in growing skills in public speaking, contract negotiation, and budget management.
• Attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple moving pieces and deadlines.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving and relationship building.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and know when to ask for support.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage both short- and long-term projects.
• Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Photoshop- or willingness to develop proficiency.

Please note this job ad is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education, training, or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

Four (4) years of full-time professional experience in public art project management including experience with arts organizations, or construction, architectural, landscape architectural project management or art event management in the public realm,

OR

Three (3) years of full-time professional experience in public art project management including experience with arts organizations, or construction, architectural, landscape architectural project management or art event management in the public realm AND an Associate's degree in Fine Arts, Arts Administration, or a related field,

OR

Two (2) years of full-time professional experience in public art project management including experience with arts organizations, or construction, architectural, landscape architectural project management or art event management in the public realm AND a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Arts Administration, or a related field

License, Certification and Other Requirements: Current State of Washington driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Other Qualifications

This full-time and full-benefits eligible civil service position is overtime eligible and is classified as an Arts Program Specialist. This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement between the City and the union, PROTEC17 – Professional Unit. The full pay range for this position is $41.62 - $48.58 hourly. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $41.62/hour. Current City employees’ starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

Work Environment: This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to work in-office at ARTS at King Street Station at least three days a week, with team in office days on Tuesday and Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work is expected. Individual schedules will be determined between the employee and their supervisor.  

Benefits: A comprehensive benefits package includes vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website:https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

 Why Work at the City of Seattle? We recognize that every employee plays a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture results from our behavior, personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide?equitable?processes and services. 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications will be accepted until 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

 In addition to completing the application fully at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle please include:

• A PDF of your current resume, which illustrates your related skills, talents, experience, and abilities.
• A cover letter illustrating your qualifications and interest in this position with ARTS

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information. 

Who may apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.

Hiring Timeline: We anticipate conducting the first round of interviews at the end of September and the second round of interviews and an assessment at the beginning of October. We aim to fill this position with a preferred start date of November 5, 2025.  

Accommodations Request & Recruiting Contact: Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with disabilities to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and access other employment benefits and privileges. Please get in touch with [email protected] to request accommodation or with any questions.