City and County of Denver · 19 hours ago
Public Art Manager - Bond Projects - Denver Arts and Venues
Denver, CO
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
$87K/yr - $143K/yr
5+ years expThe City and County of Denver is seeking a Public Art Manager to join its Public Art Team. The role involves managing a team and overseeing the planning and execution of public art projects while collaborating with community members and stakeholders to achieve strategic goals.
GovernmentHealth CareNon ProfitPublic SafetySecurity
No H1B
Responsibilities
Manage a team, demonstrating an ability to coach, motivate and engage direct reports
Provide technical expertise to artists and internal project managers through design development, construction, and installation of projects
Provide team-wide support in problem solving and strategizing around Public Art projects, and long-term team goals
Support the Public Art Director in building and executing policies, processes, decisions, research projects, and long and short-term strategic planning
Perform comprehensive and technical administrative activities related to the public art division including providing leadership, technical expertise and developing long range and short-term planning initiatives and overall goals, objectives, and priorities for the division
Provide consultation on the team-wide development of contracts, RFPs, and financial processes
Build interagency and community relationships to further the team’s goals and address Project Managers’ needs
Oversee and manage the completion of all Bond funded Public Art Projects
Develop strategies and systems to complete Bond funded public art projects in a timely and efficient manner
Work collaboratively with community leaders and internal and external stakeholders such as the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), Parks & Recreation (P&R), City’s Department of Finance, and the City Attorney’s Office to improve interagency processes and solve technical issues
Determine effectiveness of team procedures and processes and make improvements
Work in partnership with DAV agency teams including leadership, finance, marketing and capital projects to ensure coordination and completion of all projects on a defined timeline
Research assigned projects to develop and manage a work plan for each artwork, including detailed knowledge of parent project, public engagement, budget, timeline, location, and scope
Liaise with members of the City Council and district staff to develop plans and processes for projects within each district and to keep them informed throughout the project
Keep supervisor and leadership informed of all significant project milestones, delays, concerns and developments
Provide timely weekly, monthly and annual reports on projects and processes
Design and execute community engagement strategies, systems and procedures for applicable projects
Utilizing principles of public engagement, equity, diversity and inclusion, work with stakeholders to establish unique community engagement process or panel that will create goals for the project and selection of an artist/artwork
Facilitate the public selection process with professional consultation and expertise regarding artwork, artists, community research and public process ensuring that is it transparent, fair and effective
Draft and publish Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for each project and assist artist vendors with project proposals
Initiate and manage complex project contracts and budgets including regular communication with Department of Finance and DAV Finance division
Budget management: plan, execute, and manage all individual project budgets, including project contingency
Invoice management: pay and track vendor invoices
Contract negotiation in partnership with City Attorney’s Office
Ensure contract compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies including Prevailing Wage and Denver Small Business Opportunity program
Archive all project information in collection database
Ensure timely reporting to supervisor, agency and city as required
Submit and obtain (or assist artists in submitting) all necessary permits and approvals required for city installation and construction projects working with DOTI or other agencies as required. This includes ROW permits, Traffic Control plans, security and all other needs for the project while onsite
Provide architects, designers, and engineers consultation, coordination and guidance through the artwork development and installation process
Oversee artwork construction and onsite project installation in close coordination with parent project
Orient and provide technical support to artists during the application process, with particular emphasis on new and emerging artists in the public art field
Provide technical expertise to artists through city contracting process and policy, design development, fabrication, construction, and installation of projects
Conduct site visits during fabrication process as needed to ensure project will meet established goals
Develop and execute special research projects, policies, or events, as needed
Make informed, quick decisions weighing all risks
Work on Agency and Citywide initiatives, projects and committees as assigned
Engage in professional development and stay abreast of knowledge about the Public Art field
Perform other related duties as assigned
Ability to work some nights and weekends
Qualification
Required
Master's degree in Arts, Project Management, Public Administration or a closely related field
Five (5) years of supervisory, professional and technical level experience in Public Art, Placemaking or a closely related field
One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education
Ability to work some nights and weekends
Preferred
5+ Years experience in Public Art, Arts Administration, Placemaking and or Art/Design
3+ years experience managing a team, and/or developing strategy, leadership, and process improvements
Experience with project management and construction, preferably in a governmental setting
Demonstrated knowledge of the public art field
Experience implementing conflict resolution strategies
Experience in public engagement and facilitation
Ability to handle high volume of concurrent tasks with great attention to detail
Skilled in public speaking with exceptional verbal and written communication skills
Strong skills in problem solving
Knowledge of budgeting principles and practices
Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques for procurement and contracting, and contract negotiation and administration, preferably in a governmental setting
Technical expertise in construction, fabrication, art and design
Experience with collections management and databases
Experience with contract management, compliance, and municipal processes
Experience with and understanding of Denver's diverse communities and demonstrated ability to engage with and develop relationships with these communities
Knowledge of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles
High proficiency with Microsoft and Adobe software applications
Valid Driver's License, as this role requires travel around the metro area
Benefits
A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
457B Retirement Plan
140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date
Company
City and County of Denver
The City and County of Denver has adopted the ''Adoption of Level Red-Severe Risk'' Public Health Order, as amended by Colorado Public Health.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$2.37MKey Investors
Consumer Product Safety CommissionOpportunity Now ColoradoUS Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administation
2024-07-02Grant· $0.08M
2024-03-19Grant· $1.54M
2023-11-09Grant· $0.75M
Leadership Team
Merlin Namuth
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Recent News
Purchaser Business Group on Health
2025-10-14
2025-09-16
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