Join Our Team

Why This Position Exists

For more than 40 years, Northern Lakes Arts Association has created opportunities for people of all ages to experience the arts.

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Through professional theatre, concerts, youth camps, community classes, visual arts, workshops, and lifelong learning, we have built a strong foundation rooted in creativity, access, and community.

Now, we are ready to deepen that work.

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Our next chapter is not simply about doing more. It is about enriching the programs we already offer, strengthening the relationships that make them possible, and creating more meaningful opportunities for people to gather, learn, create, and express themselves.

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The Director of Outreach & Education will help build the organizational capacity needed to move that work forward.

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Working alongside the Executive Artistic Director, this person will lead educational programming, community outreach, volunteer development, relationship stewardship, and partnership-building across Ely and northern Minnesota.

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About the Role

The Director of Outreach & Education serves as the organizational leader for Northern Lakes Arts Association’s education, community engagement, volunteer development, and outreach initiatives.

This is both a strategic and highly relational position.

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The Director will develop programs, build partnerships, create organizational systems, support participants and volunteers, and lead projects from concept through evaluation.

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Success in this role will be measured by initiative, relationship-building, program quality, community impact, and the ability to turn ideas into action.

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This is not a position focused only on maintaining what already exists.

It is an opportunity to help build what comes next.

 

What You Will Help Lead:

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Arts Education

You will help strengthen and grow educational opportunities for youth, adults, artists, and lifelong learners.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating the annual Arts Academy schedule and educational calendar

• Recruiting, onboarding, and supporting teaching artists and instructors

• Coordinating registration and participant communication

• Creating systems that support an exceptional participant experience

• Evaluating educational programs and recommending improvements

• Identifying opportunities to expand programming for youth and adults

• Strengthening partnerships with schools and educational organizations

• Collaborating with the Executive Artistic Director to develop new educational initiatives

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Community Outreach and Engagement

You will help connect more people to the arts by building authentic relationships throughout the community.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing partnerships with schools, nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses, and community leaders

• Expanding participation in Northern Lakes Arts Association programs

• Creating outreach initiatives that welcome new audiences

• Representing Northern Lakes Arts Association throughout Ely and the surrounding region

• Cultivating relationships that strengthen long-term community investment

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Volunteer Leadership

Volunteers are one of Northern Lakes Arts Association’s greatest strengths.

You will help build a volunteer program where people feel welcomed, prepared, valued, and connected.

Responsibilities include:

• Recruiting, onboarding, and supporting volunteers

• Coordinating volunteer schedules and communication

• Developing systems for volunteer appreciation and retention

• Building a culture of hospitality and community involvement

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Development and Stewardship

You will support the long-term sustainability of Northern Lakes Arts Association through relationship-building and program development.

Responsibilities include:

• Cultivating relationships with donors, sponsors, members, and community partners

• Supporting annual fundraising campaigns and sponsorship initiatives

• Assisting with sponsorship fulfillment and donor stewardship

• Identifying opportunities to increase earned and contributed revenue through educational programming

• Supporting education-related grant applications and reporting

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Communications and Marketing

You will help tell the story of Northern Lakes Arts Association’s educational and community work.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing marketing language for educational programs

• Coordinating communication with participants and families

• Collaborating on email marketing, social media, and promotional campaigns

• Ensuring programs are communicated clearly and consistently

• Helping grow participation through strategic storytelling

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Community Presence

This role requires a visible, approachable presence within Northern Lakes Arts Association and the Ely community.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting classes, workshops, camps, performances, exhibitions, fundraising events, and public programs

• Representing Northern Lakes Arts Association at networking events and community meetings

• Welcoming participants, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and guests

• Supporting front-of-house and public event operations when needed

• Building meaningful relationships across Ely and northern Minnesota

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What You Will Be Empowered to Do

The Director of Outreach & Education is expected to exercise independent judgment, initiative, and creativity.

You will be empowered to:

• Develop new educational initiatives

• Recommend improvements to existing programs

• Build community partnerships

• Create systems that improve organizational effectiveness

• Identify opportunities aligned with the organization’s mission

• Lead projects from planning through implementation

• Help turn organizational ideas into sustainable programs and relationships

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The Executive Artistic Director will continue to provide artistic vision, fundraising leadership, strategic direction, and overall organizational leadership.

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The Director of Outreach & Education will provide operational leadership for education, outreach, volunteer development, community engagement, and relationship stewardship.

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Together, these roles will form a leadership team focused on strengthening both artistic excellence and community impact.

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Who Thrives in This Role?

You may thrive in this position if you:

• Love building relationships

• Enjoy turning ideas into action

• Take initiative rather than waiting for direction

• Find purpose in helping others succeed

• Enjoy both strategic planning and hands-on community work

• Communicate with warmth, professionalism, and clarity

• Believe the arts can strengthen individuals and communities

• Are comfortable managing multiple priorities

• Want to help build programs and relationships that will continue growing for years to come

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We are not looking for one specific professional background.

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We are looking for a thoughtful, organized, creative, and community-minded leader who can help people and programs flourish.

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Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience in nonprofit leadership, arts administration, education, community engagement, project management, or a related field

• Strong organizational and project-management skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication

• The ability to build authentic relationships with diverse audiences

• Experience coordinating multiple priorities

• The ability to work independently with limited supervision

• A passion for arts education and community engagement

• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and sound judgment

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Equivalent combinations of education, professional experience, volunteer leadership, and community involvement will be considered.

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Schedule

• Average of 20 hours per week

• Flexible scheduling based on organizational needs

• Regular evening and weekend availability for classes, performances, events, and fundraising activities

• Seasonal fluctuations in workload while maintaining an average part-time schedule

• Remote work is permitted when the employee is not needed in person for events, programming, meetings, or community engagement

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Because this is a relationship-based and community-facing position, regular in-person work in Ely is required.

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Compensation and Benefits

• $25,000 annual salary

• Average of 20 hours per week

• Flexible scheduling

• 30 days of paid time off

• Professional development stipend

• Mileage reimbursement for approved organizational travel

• Remote-work flexibility when in-person work is not required

• Opportunities for increased responsibility as the organization grows

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What Success Could Look Like

After one year, success in this role may include:

• A growing Arts Academy with increased participation

• Strong relationships with instructors, schools, and community partners

• A thriving and well-supported volunteer program

• Participants and families who feel welcomed, informed, and connected

• Expanded educational opportunities throughout the year

• New outreach initiatives that welcome more people into the arts

• Stronger donor and sponsor relationships connected to educational programming

• Clear systems that support the successful delivery of programs

• Greater organizational capacity for the Executive Artistic Director to focus on artistic vision, fundraising, strategy, and long-term development

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Most importantly, success will mean more people across Ely and northern Minnesota have meaningful opportunities to discover, learn, create, gather, and belong.

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About Northern Lakes Arts Association

Northern Lakes Arts Association believes the arts strengthen communities.

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For more than 40 years, we have created visual, performing, literary, and educational arts experiences for people across Ely and northern Minnesota.

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Our work includes professional theatre, concerts, youth camps, community classes, visual arts, workshops, volunteer opportunities, and lifelong learning.

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We believe access matters.

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We believe creativity belongs to everyone.

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We believe strong arts organizations help build strong communities.

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Our work is rooted in Ely, artistically brave, guided by neighborly leadership, and committed to inviting what is possible.

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About Ely, Minnesota

Ely is a creative, independent, and deeply connected community located at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

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It is a place where artists, educators, small-business owners, nonprofit leaders, families, volunteers, and neighbors work together to create a strong community.

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This role offers the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, contribute to the cultural life of the region, and help expand access to the arts in one of northern Minnesota’s most distinctive communities

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