PROGRAM MANAGER AT ARTSPARKS FOUNDATION

ArtSparks Foundation is an educational not-for-profit organization that works to support the creative, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children, particularly children from under-served communities. ArtSparks also supports the professional development of classroom teachers, encouraging them to reflect on their teaching practice, and explore new ways to enrich their students learning.

What Do We Do?
At ArtSparks, we believe that a great education should equip children with skills to handle life’s complexities—skills such as problem solving, flexible thinking, creative risk-taking, perseverance, collaboration, communication, and so much more. We believe that creativity is a critically important skill for the future with far reaching benefits. And, that visual art & design provide rich and diverse opportunities to help foster meaningful learning. Through our programs, we create vibrant opportunities for learning that help develop essential 21st century learning and life skills in children. And, we help build the capacity of teachers to create more vibrant opportunities for learning in their own classrooms.

ArtSparks Foundation presently runs its school-based programs within schools across
Bangalore, as well as Kolar, Tumkur, and Hosur. We currently work with 10 schools, and have served 780 students and 200 teachers/educators.

To know more about ArtSparks, please visit our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/artsparksfoundation/

Why 21st Century Learning & Life Skills?
“21st century learning skills are increasingly being recognized as the skills that separate
students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in the 21st century, and those who are not” (P21’s Framework for 21st Century Learning). In an age where change is the only constant, understanding and applying 21st century learning skills allows children to be adaptive and innovative in responding to new demands and changing circumstances. Life skills on the other hand form the core of children’s social and emotional wellbeing. And, the extent to which children are able to apply them can determine how well they adjust and respond to life’s myriad experiences. These skills must be nurtured within students.

Why Creativity?
Creativity is recognized as one of the most important skills for the next generation. Its value reaches well beyond the arts to affect every discipline and numerous industries. The ability to dream, take chances, and create the things we imagine. These are the skills of entrepreneurs, innovators, and change makers. Children are born with these exceptional abilities, but research shows that over time they begin to lose them. We must offer rich opportunities that keep children’s natural creativity alive.

Why Visual Art & Design?
Research indicates that robust art & design education contributes to the development of
valuable thinking skills and attitudes whose benefits extend well beyond the art room (Harvard, 2009). The ability to pose questions, test ideas, take creative risks, solve problems, think flexibly, deal with ambiguity, collaborate effectively, are just some of the many skills and attitudes that are developed and strengthened through engagements with art. Involvement in the arts is also associated with gains in critical thinking and communication skills. Beyond this arts learning helps improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. In fact, studies show that students with high involvement in the arts, particularly those from low-income communities, stay longer and perform better in schools in comparison to those that receive no arts education.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Role: Program Manager (Full-Time)
Purpose: The primary purpose of this role is to plan, organize, implement, and continuously improve ArtSparks’ Creative Learning Lab (CLL) program. And, in doing so, to ensure adherence to processes, effectiveness of review and feedback, building relationships with stakeholders, and timely delivery of stakeholder expectations.

Key Responsibilities:
• Manage set up and implementation of ArtSparks’ CLL program on the ground
• Support existing CLL volunteers
• Recruit, train, and oversee new volunteers and fellows
• Develop a volunteer management strategy and execute the same
• Develop and implement a reporting mechanism for fellows
• Build CLL teacher capacity by delivering trainings
• Visit partner schools periodically to support CLL teachers, volunteers, and fellows through Lab observations, one-on-one feedback, and modeling when necessary
• Involve and build the investment of school management/leaders through periodic conversations and relationship building
• Assess effectiveness of implementation of the CLL program and provide feedback to
strengthen the program.
• Collect data regarding program outcomes, and report on the impact of the CLL program
• Other tasks as assigned

Must Have:
• Graduate or post-graduate degree
• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in the education sector (preferably teaching)
• Sunny disposition and genuinely enjoy working within schools with children, teachers, etc.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities at a time
• Attention to detail
• Ability to self-initiate tasks and work independently
• Ability to collaborate and cooperate with others
• Great written and oral communication skills

Nice to Have:
• Experience working with children ages 6-16 years
• Experience or specialization degree in Education, Social Work, Development, Psychology
• Knowledge of spoken Kannada

Location
Bangalore. Travel to different school sites will be needed, within Bangalore, and occasionally the outskirts of Bangalore.

Compensation:
Rs.30,000 – Rs.40,000 a month. Salary will be commensurate with candidate’s prior experience.

Application:
If you are passionate about serving children and believe that they deserve an education that unlocks their creative potential, this is the place for you. We believe that great people with shared enthusiasm, commitment, and hard work, can achieve wonderful things.

To apply please email a cover letter and your resume to employment@art-sparks.org. In your cover letter, please share why you think you would be a good fit for this position.