A primary function of this and every other job at “The J” is to ensure by whatever rational and legal means necessary that each person who engages with The J, whether at River and Dodge or beyond the walls of the physical space, feels just a little better than when they arrived.
Supervisor: Senior Director of Jewish Living + Engagement
The Tucson Jewish Community Center, also known as, “The J” has 1,900+ membership units and is the town hall for Jewish life in Tucson, Arizona. Guided by values rooted in Jewish tradition, we are open to all people of all ages. Our 115,000 square feet complex, built in 1989, houses a variety of programs each day, such as our state-of-the-art Fitness Center, Early Childhood Education program for children from six weeks through five years, Taglit, a day-program for adults with special needs. Through a recent merger with Arts for All, the J proudly offers services for those with disabilities beyond the walls of the J. Our facility includes a variety of multi-use spaces, including a ballroom, kosher demonstration kitchen, sculpture garden, fine arts gallery, gymnasium, fitness center, tennis courts, pool, splash park, café, indoor play space and more! When you enter our building, you will feel the vibrant, buzz that radiates through the building each day.
Through our arts & culture programming, members and guests engage in conversation with one another, learn about cultures from around the world, and enrich their artistic and spiritual sides. Clubs and classes provide both an opportunity to deepen one’s learning and also to meet others in the community. The Fine Art Gallery houses new exhibits approximately every six weeks, and features work by mostly local artists. What was a barren plot of land just 10 years ago, is now the serene Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden featuring works that are part of our permanent collection or juried as part of an annual exhibit. Connected by a gateway to the Sculpture Garden in Gan Tikvah, the Garden of Hope, a meditative space. Arts and culture is an entry point for people of all ages and at all stages into community at The J. We are proud to have collaborated with a variety of different arts organizations in Tucson.
The J practices radical inclusivity and is a safe non-judgmental space for all. Our community is incredibly diverse with families and individuals self-identifying as: “Just Jewish,” Not Jewish, Culturally Jewish/Secular/Humanist, Jewish by Birth, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, multi-faith, Israeli American, Jews of Color, LGBTQ, single-parent, differently abled/special needs, low-income, middle-income, and affluent. The J welcomes the participation of self-identifying people of all backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
The Director of Arts and Culture will nurture those currently in relationship with the J and those who do not yet have that relationship. The Director of Arts and Culture is an integral member of The J’s team beyond the Jewish Life and Learning department. The person in this role has strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
Guided by the voices of program participants, volunteer leadership, your own experience, and a spirit of innovation, the Director of Arts and Culture will build upon a robust program that includes:
- Become an expert in the art and science of relationship-based engagement (RBE): Meet community members, particularly through their interest in arts and culture, build relationships, and serve as a connector between people, programs and initiatives. Support staff across the J as they develop and hone their RBE skills and processes.
- Fine Art Gallery: Build relationships with artists. Work to recruit and schedule art exhibits, develop special programming around exhibits, and plan opening and/or closing receptions.
- Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden: Plan, execute, and wrap up our annual and yearlong Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden exhibit. Arrange for tours to the sculpture garden, and train sculpture garden tour docents. Serve as a resource to all J staff around how to maximize usage in the Sculpture Garden within different departments.
- Build and staff an arts engagement committee in order to expand community voice in the J’s galleries, the Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden, and art offerings.
- Classes: Develop and implement class offerings. Our ideal candidate will pursue new initiatives and community collaborations to increase our mission driven class offerings.
- Clubs: Serve as the liaison for a variety of clubs, both clubs that currently exist and those that will emerge. Current club offerings include: mahj, women’s book club, chess, JPride, and the widow’s circle.
- Support the Tucson J team in their efforts to use relationship-based engagement as a tool to build and strengthen community.
- Be present at engagement and arts events facilitated by the J and community organizations: Within our Jewish Living and Engagement team there will be opportunities to both take the lead on events and support the team on others, particularly around the Patron of the Arts Signature Events Series and Patron of the Arts donor events.
- Play a role in educating the Tucson J team around Jewish education, which includes but is not limited to the topics of holidays, values, and Israel.
- Often in partnership with other organizations and volunteers, create opportunities, rooted in culture, for young adults to connect with one another and the greater Jewish community.
- Set and actively manage budget areas pertaining to the Fine Art Gallery (705), Sculpture Garden (706), Art Studio (709), and Clubs + Classes (710).
- Participate in learning opportunities, through JCC Association of North America, and other local, national and global organizations to better understand evolving trends in Jewish life.
- Other duties within the Jewish Life & Learning team as assigned.
This position is a full-time exempt position and is covered by the code of the Personnel Practices for Professional Staff.