Art School Director

Full Time - Immediate Hire

Salary Range: $65,000.00 To $75,000.00 Annually

This is not a traditional teaching or administrative role. As a school director, you will lead a creative business—building a team, shaping culture, and creating exceptional experiences for students and families.

You’ll have the Opportunity to:

Lead and grow a purpose-driven art education school
Stay deeply connected to contemporary art and the local creative community
Mentor and inspire a team of artists and educators
Make a visible, lasting impact on students’ confidence and creative growth
Balance creative leadership with real operational ownership

We aim to be the best place to work in the arts. That means being honest about the challenges, supportive in our leadership, and committed to your growth. We’ll give you a realistic picture of what the job entails—and the tools, systems, and support to succeed.

We Are Looking for a Leader Who Brings Art, People, and Purpose Together

You come from an art education background and believe in learning by doing.
You thrive in a lively, ever-changing studio environment where creativity and flexibility matter.
You believe great art education begins with a warm, thoughtful, high-quality human experience.
You naturally inspire your team to care deeply about students, families, and the details that make people feel welcome.
You bring a genuine passion for art and feel connected to the contemporary art community.
You can confidently support and inspire students of all ages, from young beginners to lifelong learners.

Position Highlights:

School Community

Lead and support a team of full-time and part-time educators, setting shared goals that nurture a vibrant, growing student community.
Step into the studio to teach classes when needed and stay connected to the classroom experience.
Collaborate closely with educators to create inspiring classroom experiences through thoughtful hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing support.
Foster long-term student relationships by ensuring strong onboarding, clear and caring parent communication, and continually finding new ways to build loyalty, referrals, and retention.

Community Outreach

Welcome new students into the school by responding thoughtfully to inquiries, guiding families through the enrollment process, and leading school tours.
Plan and activate local marketing efforts—including events, partnerships, press, and outreach—to increase visibility and community engagement.
Build meaningful partnerships with local businesses, public and private schools, PTAs, and community organizations, maintaining an active, visible presence in the neighborhood.

Community Space

Curate and produce professional and community exhibitions in the gallery, supporting local artists and engaging collectors.
Care for the physical space, ensuring the school is always welcoming, well-maintained, and fully equipped for creative work.

Business Stewardship

Monitor income and expenses with care, addressing challenges as they arise to keep the school healthy and sustainable.
Work collaboratively with leadership to set thoughtful, achievable revenue goals that support the school’s mission and long-term growth.

Why Artists Love Working Here

Strong pay with room to grow
Competitive salary plus quarterly bonuses. Depending on experience, starting pay typically ranges from $65K–$75K, with bonuses tied to realistic, achievable goals.
Plan for your future

You can invest pre-tax dollars into our employer sponsored 401K plan

Time to recharge
Paid vacation days so you can rest, travel, make art, or simply reset.
A schedule that works for creative lives
A non-traditional schedule with later start times—ideal for night owls and studio-minded creatives. Saturday availability required.
Health coverage support
We contribute toward your health insurance, with flexible plan options to choose from.
Keep making your own art
Take classes free at One River School and stay creatively engaged.
Real opportunities to advance
We’re a growing organization committed to promoting from within and supporting long-term careers in art education.
Ongoing learning & leadership development
Thoughtful training and mentorship to support you in your role today—and prepare you for greater responsibility tomorrow.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in a visual arts related field from an accredited, four year college or university required
Master’s Degree in Business, Art History or Education would be a huge plus
5 years work experience with at least 1 year in a leadership /management role in a customer facing setting
Available to work in the evenings and on Saturdays during the school year (September to June)
Strong interpersonal skills, with the proven ability to network, collaborate and build relationships with clients, partners, staff, remote colleagues and others.

One River School of Art + Design was founded almost 14 years ago with a simple but powerful goal in mind: To build a community for Contemporary Art in the Suburbs through fun educational programs and partnerships with living Contemporary artists.

One River is an Equal Opportunity Employer institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, pregnancy or marital status in employment or the provision of services and is an equal access/equal opportunity employer.

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