Curator and Community Liaison, Chinese Initiatives

Position: Curator and Community Liaison, Chinese Initiatives
Reports to: Executive and Artistic Director
Hours: Flexible Full-Time, in-office/remote hybrid - some evenings and weekends.
Compensation: $48,500, plus benefits

Flushing Town Hall (FTH), (aka Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts) is a multi-disciplinary non-profit arts organization serving Queens, the NYC region and beyond, whose mission is to bring people together by presenting traditional, contemporary and cross-cultural arts and culture from around the globe. FTH is a member of NYC’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and a Smithsonian Affiliate. FTH seeks a flexible full-time Curator and Community Liaison, Chinese Initiatives. FTH’s definition of Chinese is inclusive of, and not limited to people who are of Chinese descent and self-identify as Chinese/Chinese-American. Henceforth in this document, FTH uses the word Chinese to represent these diverse, self-identifying distinctions.

This position will program a wide range of disciplines and artistic practices of traditional, contemporary and cross-cultural arts programs, highlighting and celebrating the rich and far-ranging cultural identities of being Chinese, and amplifying often underrepresented artistic voices. The position will also engage Chinese and non-Chinese communities through programs and partnerships. The position supports and works closely with leadership and other FTH departments including Development, Marketing, Education, Arts Services, Production and Finance.

Responsibilities:
As part of FTH’s curatorial team:

• program and implement year-round multi-disciplinary traditional, contemporary and cross-cultural programs, plus seasonal festivals of interest to the diverse Chinese communities,
• develop and implement mission-aligned partnerships

• introduce audiences to emerging and mid-career Chinese artists.

• Provide guidance to FTH leadership and staff on cultural nuances and issues important to local/regional Chinese communities.

• Understand, be sensitive to, and communicate awareness of any political agendas and affiliations, to ensure FTH’s mission and arts & cultural programs remain apolitical at all times.

• Advocate for FTH and its mission, work to expand FTH’s audience within the Chinese and non-Chinese communities of Queens and the NYC metropolitan region.

• With support from, and working closely with FTH leadership and Development Department, fundraise for programming/department expenses in the local and regional community, including seeking sponsorships from local business and donors, and identifying foundations, corporate grant programs, and other sources interested in supporting Chinese initiatives.

• Position is supported by FTH’s Chinese Cultural Committee and Cultural Ambassador – responsibilities include meeting with committee chair to set agendas, scheduling, expanding committee membership to include diverse and regional representation, assist with committee’s fundraising and any FTH mission-aligned program initiatives with committee or Ambassador.

• Translate FTH promotional materials (marketing brochures, press releases, flyers, etc.) into Chinese, and distribute.

• Develop and maintain relationships with local/regional Chinese-language media; work with FTH Marketing and PR firm to translate/coordinate press events and press releases aimed at Chinese media.

• Promote FTH’s global arts programming to the Chinese community.

• Continually update Chinese Social Media platforms, such as WeChat, on behalf of FTH.

• Attend and represent FTH at local and regional functions and events.

• Serve as an on-site translator at FTH events attended by Chinese speakers; translate during office hours, as needed, for Mandarin speakers who wish to speak/meet with FTH staff. Translate for rental inquiries and production coordination.

• Identify and oversee volunteers and interns to assist with and support Chinese initiatives.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Candidate must be fully bi-lingual - fluent in both spoken and written Chinese plus fluent in both spoken and written English.
• Strong communication skills, especially the ability to act confidently, comfortably and proactively with people of different backgrounds, partners, donors, colleagues and volunteers.
• Experience in multiple aspects of arts and/or cultural administration, including community engagement, marketing & PR, fundraising, budgeting, programming, and implementation.
• Proven track record, knowledge of and experience working with diverse Chinese communities in Flushing, in Queens, and/or NYC metropolitan region.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task.
• Knowledge of and experience working with diverse Chinese communities in Flushing, in Queens, and/or NYC metropolitan region.
• Knowledge of and/or practice in the arts crucial.

Application Instructions

To Apply:
Please submit a resume, cover letter, writing samples in BOTH English and Chinese, and 2 references, via email to: sshumays@flushingtownhall.org. Include the words “Curator and Community Liaison, Chinese Initiatives” in the subject line. No phone calls or mail submissions, please.