FestiFools Studio Production Manager

How to Apply

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Job Summary

Reporting to the director of LSWA, this position will manage a range of logistics and projects directly related to the FoolMoon and FestiFools events. The FestiFools Studio Production Manager is an essential member of the technical/ administrative/creative team that brings two major community-wide public art events, FestiFools and FoolMoon - and their related programming - to Ann Arbor each year.  The Studio Production Manager works both in conjunction with the Creative Director, and independently, performing advanced and diverse duties that are best realized by a flexible, curious, creative, and proactive mindset.

This position is a full-time, in-person/hybrid position that requires frequent evening and weekend work. 

Who We Are

Lloyd Scholars for Writing and the Arts (LSWA) is one of seven Michigan Learning Communities (MLCs) on campus for which LSA Undergraduate Education is the administrative home. LSWA is a living-learning community at the University of Michigan that is focused on writing and the arts. It is a welcoming and diverse educational environment for first- and second-year students from all UM undergraduate colleges. LSWA students are encouraged to nurture and develop their creative talents and passions, regardless of their academic majors. The curriculum focuses on writing and artistic expression, as well as leadership development. Special programs enhance the curriculum and reinforce learning outside the classroom; students experience the best of a small-college community with all the advantages of a major university.

Located in Alice Lloyd Hall, LSWA provides students with: 

• Small community focused on writing and the arts; 
• Writing and arts-focused interdisciplinary classes taught in the residence hall; 
• Access to faculty who teach innovative creative courses, including writing courses taught by Sweetland Center for Writing faculty; 
• Student-led clubs focused on such themes as creative writing, art, music, theater, photography, dance and spoken word performance; 
• Author readings, guest speakers, field trips, art workshops, and social events; 
• Art studio in the residence hall, which is open 24/7; 
• Dance Studio in the residence hall; 
• Social, cultural, and academic programming, including plays, art exhibits, and museums; 
• A LSWA literary and arts journal, published annually; 
• LSWA poetry prizes and performances; 
• Leadership opportunities. 

Responsibilities*

Job Duties 
Administrative: 20%

• Work closely with the FestiFools/FoolMoon Creative Director to develop and implement FestiFools and FoolMoon events, including ideation and visualization across all project aspects, such as: production; marketing and press releases; communications; sales; and day-of support and execution. 
• Establish a working mission and direct programming (community collaborations, coordination, and facilitation) to support the character and ethos of both events. 
• Act as a liaison with LSWA's Budget Manager and Business Administrator to manage finances, including expenses, revenues, sponsorships, and donations, and to ensure timely payment to vendors, contractors, organizations, and artists.
• Adhere to U-M policies and procedures regarding finances, fundraising, on-street production, and publicity.
• Oversee sales of merchandise in accordance with U-M guidelines for cash handling,  storage, and delivery of proceeds, assisted by the support and guidance of UGED Financial Operations.

Event Services Management: 10%

• Manage all aspects of FestiFools and FoolMoon on-street production, ensuring thoughtful set-up, safety and direction of volunteers, and acting as on-site coordinator for all vendors and contractors.
• Work with city of Ann Arbor to complete proper event, street-closure, and meter bagging permits, communicating street closures to affected businesses through the Main Street Area Association, guaranteeing electric hookup accessibility, ensuring participant safety, and to abide by city's street-event regulations.
• Implement and oversee on-street set up, including placement of barriers and signage, decorations, emergency management, and clean up. 
• Manage talent acquisition, researching and hiring artists/performers.

Course Support: 5% 

• Assist and prepare students and studio volunteers for the kinetic sculpture-making process, from conception to implementation, including ideation, design, puppet construction, internal structural design, oversight of papier-mache process, and assistance with painting, fabric construction and miscellaneous finishing work.
• Oversee Student studio hours.
• Co-Manage FestiFools Student Employee Projects, including Studio Assistants, Media Assistant, and High School Interns.

Marketing, PR, & Graphic Design: 22%

• Manage and implement all social media accounts, write promotional posts, facilitate sponsorships, share featured articles, photograph and share artistic processes, and create events that encourage connection, engagement, and elicit excitement.
• Produce all graphic design work for print and online promotional materials including:  all marking products, flyers, business cards, thank you letters, sponsor banner, and press releases
• Identify and explore marketing avenues for event promotion 
• Oversee production of event products including manufacturing, graphics, marketing, and sales of luminary kits and souvenir t-shirts 
• Project Lead for FestiFools 20th Anniversary book project, including community crowdsourcing of images and stories, designing/editing/publishing, plus co-managing student employee writers.

Development and Fundraising: 13%

• Develop and maintain accurate budgets, cost effective sourcing, timely purchasing, and financial planning. 
• Work with U-M Development staff to oversee fundraising initiatives, including U-M donor initiative participation, sponsor and donor identification and connection, sponsor product facilitation, and donor follow-up.
• Maintain relationships with recurring donors.
• Grant research and writing grant applications.
• Identify possible sponsorships and conducting outreach to facilitate them

Communications: 18%

• Manage community volunteer database and outreach, including detailed  information-sharing related to future workshops, additional volunteer opportunities, (also culminating events and corresponding trainings).
• Identify local community and business partners, initiate communications, liaise, oversee collaborations, and maintain relationships with all involved parties.
• Maintain a database of community project partners, student volunteers, community volunteers, business affiliates, and U-M partners.
• Develop promotional opportunities and partnerships with local businesses and media organizations.

Community Outreach: 12%

• Coordinate staffing and facilitation of the FestiFools/FoolMoon community luminary-building workshops, including space scouting, reserving, preparing, and maintaining the spaces. 
• Coordinate staffing and facilitation of FestiFools Studio work days, guiding student volunteers through various processes, including luminary kit construction, papier-mache, bucket drum, and gobo creation. Maintain a friendly and collaborative atmosphere for volunteers, identifying best fit for volunteer involvement.
• Garner new volunteers through outreach with local schools, groups, and nonprofit organizations. 

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in arts related field from an accredited college or university required. 
• Minimum of two years of student arts programming experience or equivalent.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, as scheduled.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment is necessary.
• Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at LSWA; we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact and sensitively communicate with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity.
• Proven ability to prioritize and manage large volumes of work (including planning and managing complex projects).
• Demonstrated experience in producing effective marketing campaigns across multiple platforms.  Effective use of print, email and social media (Facebook and Instagram) for community building and event promotion.
• Experience working with and managing students and student programming at the University level.
• Experience partnering with faculty, students and internal and external stakeholders; including, local business and nonprofit leaders and local government officials.
• Experience with large-scale event planning.
• Proven success with networking and fundraising initiatives
• Fluent in Microsoft applications and Google Suites.  Working knowledge of Adobe products and graphic design products.
• Ability to work in environments that require flexibility and adaptability.
• Experience managing volunteer databases and community outreach tools.
• This position requires the ability to transport and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• This position requires the ability for occasional day travel in the greater Ann Arbor area to meet with partners, donors, and execute events.

Desired Qualifications*

• An understanding and appreciation of higher education and the diverse cultures of the schools and colleges within the University.
• Intimate knowledge of the Luminary making process, kinetic sculpture building, and papier mache creation.
• Active participation in Ann Arbor's vibrant arts community.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.