Creative Director and Cultural Curator - Detroit, MI

$75,000 - $75,000/Yr

Taskforce - Detroit, MI

Full-time

Remote - Detroit, MI

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

TaskForce seeks a motivated and creatively-aligned Creative Director and Cultural Curator based in Detroit, MI for its cultural strategies to mobilize voters in the 2024 election. The Creative Director and Cultural Curator for Culture 2024 will work with our Regional Council and Head of Arts and Culture Commissions to identify significant and influential artists, activists, and culture creators in the Detroit area. This role involves commissioning the work of creatives and co-designing activations to reach the intended audience to encourage voter registration and voting during the 2024 election period. The position requires engagement with diverse networks of cultural communities across key verticals such as arts and entertainment, wellness, sports, gaming, and more. The Creative Director and Cultural Curator will collaborate directly with our Regional Experiential Producer to ensure the successful execution of the initiative. This position is remote but will require some on-site work in the market. The term of the contract is full-time and short-term, ending on November 30th. The Creative Director and Cultural Curator will report to the Head of Arts & Culture Commissions and will be part of a 20+ person 2024 cultural engagement team.

Responsibilities

• Foster artist relations and a network of creative agents and managers in their market.
• Stay up to date on current cultural trends nationally and regionally, while anticipating new trends.
• Identify quality creative initiatives and understand their market impact.
• Oversee the process of ideation, commission and transition through execution with the Production team, ensuring the Regional Producer executes the approved vision.
• Review all commissions for assurance of quality, technique, and achievement of Culture 2024's vision.
• Engage with the Regional Cultural Council to secure lists of high-profile cultural leaders and artists.
• Manage regional budget to ensure parity, fairness, and equity while delivering against a budget.
• Work with the Operations team to ensure artists, producers, and vendors are properly compensated with pre-approved commissions budgets.
• Ensure artist projects are engaging, relevant, and executed within a provided budget.

Requirements

• Proven leadership, strategy, and financial management skills.
• Understanding of regionality and market segmentation, and creative direction.
• Proactive communicator with an eye for trends and innovation, as well as connections to skilled and driven tastemakers, trendsetters, and artists.
• Ability to work with creatives and a wide range of artists.
• Knowledge of various cultures and subcultures within the region, with an unbiased approach.
• Ability to identify and commission talent that may lend their work to a multi-layered, regional and national outcome.
• Strategic thinker that can identify creators that move the needle.
• Ability to think outside the box in regards to talent initiatives and commissions.
• Keen understanding of the creative commissioning process.
• Exceptionally detail-oriented.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work on multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of pop culture, counterculture, and trends.
• Invested in TaskForce's vision and mission for positive change through arts and culture.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, to take direction, to receive feedback, and to execute tasks accordingly.
• Deep commitment to progressive values and electoral engagement.
• 5+ years of creative direction, marketing, and project management experience.

Benefits

• Compensation for the project period will be $75,000 per year pro-rated for the term of employment.