Organization

Each edition, the Chicago Architecture Biennial welcomes local and international visitors to sites and programs across Chicago. CAB volunteers hold the important role of welcoming and interacting with the public and helping make the topics explored by the exhibition accessible to diverse audiences. CAB volunteers will provide essential assistance to our team through greeting visitors, leading tours, and providing program and event support.

Volunteers will be needed between September and December 2021. 

If you are interested in volunteering with CAB, please email volunteers@chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org and we will follow up about opportunities when they become available. 

Job Description
The Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB) is seeking a part-time, temporary Learning & Engagement Coordinator to support youth education and audience engagement projects and programming. Reporting to the Manager of Learning & Engagement, the Coordinator will help develop and implement a robust youth (K-12) education program including workshops, educator resources, competitions, and more. The Coordinator will also lend support to CAB’s audience engagement efforts including volunteer recruitment, training, and scheduling; visitor resources; tours; and evaluation.

This is an ideal role for a hands-on, creative professional with a welcoming and informational presence. Candidates must be highly self-motivated, creative, and organized, with 3-5 years of experience including providing excellent customer service, implementing educational programs for all ages, and supervising volunteers. The ideal candidate must be driven, able to multitask, work well as part of a team, take initiative, and anticipate and solve problems under pressure.

About the Chicago Architecture Biennial
The Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB) is an organization dedicated to creating an international forum on architecture and urbanism through producing year-round programs and a biennial exposition of city-wide activations for a diverse audience of designers, educators, advocates, students, and local communities. CAB’s mission is to engage and inspire professional and public audiences; highlight the transformative power of architecture; and envision a future for the field that is equitable and sustainable. In 2021, CAB’s work is focused on the theme The Available City led by Artistic Director David Brown, which presents a new approach to urban design that connects community residents and designers to collaboratively envision transformative possibilities for vacant urban spaces.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate implementation of youth partner programs including reviewing proposals, managing contracts, and partner communications
• Coordinate, oversee, and lead (as needed) educational programming at CAB sites
• Support the development of educational resources for K-12 students, families, and educators
• Support the Manager of Learning & Engagement and CAB’s communications team with outreach and communications around youth learning opportunities
• Help recruit, train, and schedule docents and educators to support K-12 and general public tours and programs
• Support the creation of audience engagement tools including maps, tours, and guides
• Help develop and implement audience evaluation program
  
  

Professional Skills:

• Willingness to take initiative and exercise excellent judgment, both as part of a team and independently
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including ability to communicate with audiences of different backgrounds, levels of knowledge, and types of ability; must be diplomatic and tactful
• Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills
• Exceptional collaboration skills including the ability to work within a framework of shared authority with a range of communities and stakeholders
  
  

Qualifications:

• Commitment to providing accessible, high-quality experiences to diverse, multigenerational audiences through Chicago, and to supporting the development of programming that is youth- and community-led
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required, preferably in art education, art history, museum education, architecture/design, studio art, or other related education, humanities, or social science field
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience working with K-12 audiences and/or in creative spaces
• Strong research and writing skills with experience producing interpretive or instructional materials
• Previous experience teaching in art, architecture, design, or related fields
• Previous experience training and managing teams including docents, volunteers, and/or educators
• Command of Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite
  
  

Additional Details:

• Chicago-based candidates only; CAB staff are currently working from home, however, in-person work (following current safety protocol) will be required throughout the contract
• Evening and weekend work will be required
• Applicant will be required to lift about 20lbs, transport materials, and travel to offsite venues across the city
• Contract period: June 2021 – end of January 2022
  
  

Application Materials
To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and two professional references to education@chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org by May 7, 2021 with Learning & Engagement Coordinator in the subject.

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Job Description
The Production Manager oversees the fabrication, production, installation and deinstallation of the 2021 Chicago Architecture Biennial city-wide exhibition. Working closely with the Artistic Director and CAB leadership, the Production Manager manages all aspects of research related to the installation and production and realizing the installed components of the project. Manager should have experience managing multiple project timelines and complex budgets. Manager will be responsible for getting competitive project quotes from vendors, ordering supplies and equipment for installation, and managing on-site technical teams/contractors.

This is an opportunity for a candidate with proven experience at managing various complex projects and who is inspired to work within a small team in a fast-moving and dynamic environment. This position is a full-time, temporary role from May 2021-February 2022.

About the Chicago Architecture Biennial
The Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB) is an organization dedicated to creating an international forum on architecture and urbanism through producing year-round programs and a biennial exposition of city-wide activations for a diverse audience of designers, educators, advocates, students, and local communities. CAB’s mission is to engage and inspire professional and public audiences; highlight the transformative power of architecture; and envision a future for the field that is equitable and sustainable. In 2021, CAB’s work is focused on the theme The Available City led by Artistic Director David Brown, which presents a new approach to urban design that connects community residents and designers to collaboratively envision transformative possibilities for vacant urban spaces.

Responsibilities:

• Manage all production timelines including design development, fabrication/production, installation, deliveries, maintenance of the site, and deinstallation; monitor the production process and adjust schedules as needed
• Maintain and manage project budget
• Work with contributors, Artistic Director and CAB leadership to determine the resources required for the project; evaluate and determine the resources available on the production site
• Oversee and supervise on-site production and fabrication of the project; coordinate and oversee installation and deinstallation schedules
• Determine the equipment and materials needed for the project
• Schedule and oversee timely local, national, and international transport including any crating, shipping, customs and necessary storage
• Source and hire fabricators, specialized technicians, and other production support needed to facilitate the construction or facilitation of the projects
• Liaise with engineers and special technicians to ensure the project meets all required guidelines and safety requirements
• Work with CAB to arrange and secure insurance coverage for exhibitions
• Ensure that health and safety guidelines are followed at all times
  
  

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3-5 years related exhibition or production management experience
• Superior budgeting, spreadsheet and contract preparation skills are essential
• Practical experience in the handling, transportation, installation/de-installation and display of a broad range objects and materials
• Ability to manage, coordinate, and complete multiple projects simultaneously, working within tight deadlines
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; detail-oriented
• Expertise with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and SketchUp or AutoCad is necessary
  
  

The position offers a competitive fee.

Application Materials:
To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and three references to info@chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org by April 26, 2021 with Production Manager in the subject.

[PDF]