About the Foundation for Contemporary Arts

Since its inception in 1963, the mission of the Foundation for Contemporary Arts (FCA) is to encourage, sponsor, and promote innovative work in the arts created and presented by individuals, groups, and organizations. FCA was founded by and depends on artists and a community of like-minded supporters—including philanthropic individuals, foundations, and government agencies—to fund its programs. Over 1,000 artists have contributed artworks to help fund grant programs that directly support individual artists. FCA annually awards unrestricted, by-nomination grants to 23 artists working in dance, music/sound, performance art/theater, poetry, and the visual arts in recognition of their artistic contributions; and maintains a by-application emergency grants fund, decided and disbursed monthly, to help approximately 200 artists per year with unexpected presentation opportunities and project-related emergencies. In 2024, they launched Creative Research Grants which provide 30 artists with $10,000 in support for critical exploratory phases of the artistic process. Since FCA’s inception, more than 7,500 grants awarded to artists and arts organizations—totaling over $29 million—have provided opportunities for creative exploration and realization of new work.

An organization founded by artists, for artists, FCA has grown carefully over decades—and is focused today on strategic and sustainable growth to artist support through its core programs, and its capacity to meet the evolving needs of the experimental field. For more information about FCA and its programs, please visit our website.

Job Description

FCA is seeking a full-time, permanent Program Manager to work closely with, and provide guidance to, the Program Associate and a part-time, seasonal Program Assistant. The Program Manager reports directly to the Program Director. 

The role ensures the effective administration of FCA’s multiple grantmaking programs and related initiatives, which support contemporary experimental artists across disciplines. The position serves as an accessible point of contact for FCA’s programs, actively contributes to departmental planning, and is committed to understanding and responding to the needs of working artists. Primary responsibilities include the organization and review of incoming grant applications; preparation of nominee and applicant materials for panel review; and grant notification, administration, payment, and compliance. The Program Manager is expected to be knowledgeable in contemporary visual and performing arts and poetry, and to attend grantee exhibitions and performances on a regular basis. Candidates should feel comfortable interfacing with all members of our community and will work most directly with artists, staff, colleagues and Board.

FCA is committed to access, accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value the perspectives and contributions of staff to achieving all aspects of our mission.

Core Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with artists, arts organizations, and key stakeholders in the artistic community; remain aware of developments in the field
• Serve as a primary point of contact for program nominators, panelists, and grantees, ensuring that all program communication is clear, timely, and gracious
• Manage FCA’s grant nomination, application, and award processes, including program outreach, application assistance and submission, eligibility screening, panelist confirmation and scheduling, grantee selection and notification, payment, and reporting
• Contribute to departmental and organizational planning, maintain program workplan and schedule in areas of responsibility
• Review and advance applications for panel review; prepare materials for grant selection meetings, working to ensure that processes are fair and equitable
• Administer scholarship awarded annually through the Warren Prindle Visual Arts Scholarship, including recipient intake, award letters, payments, renewal materials, and final reports
• Develop and utilize evaluation tools to track program outcomes and alignment with programmatic and organizational goals; monitor submission and review grantee reports
• Contribute to program policy and refine program processes, informed by applicant feedback, fieldwide trends, observation, and programmatic data
• Develop and update annual program materials, announcements, and reports
• Coordinate the planning and production of annual grants reception and other departmental events, with a focus on grantee participation and content
• Contribute to the communications plan as it relates to the website
• Responsible for program recordkeeping systems on FCA’s server and in its database in areas of responsibility; ensure that FCA’s website and application forms are up to date
• Guide, train, and serve as a resource for the Program Assistant; supervise Program Intern(s)
• Other duties as assigned

Ideal Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in arts or humanities field or equivalent work experience preferred
• 3-5 years of administrative experience, preferably in an arts organization; prior nonprofit or grantmaking experience a plus
• Knowledge of the diverse artistic practices, professional environment, challenges, and opportunities faced by experimental artists
• Strong project management skills with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness and ability to speak about and respond to experimental performance, poetry, and visual arts
• Excellent and sensitive written and spoken communication skills including editing, proofreading, and speaking on the phone
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team; supervisory skills a plus
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and solution-driven
• Fluency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google platform equivalents
• Experience with social media platforms and design software (Adobe Photoshop and InDesign) preferred
• Proficiency with database systems (ArtBase or Artlogic), online form builders and application platforms (Submittable) preferred

Compensation and Hours

The position is full-time, exempt. Compensation range is $70,000-$85,000 per year, commensurate with experience. FCA provides medical, dental, and vision insurance at no cost to full-time employees, paid holidays (including a winter break), 15 days of paid vacation annually, and a Simple IRA employer-matched retirement plan. FCA’s staff works on a hybrid schedule with three days in person at FCA’s New York City office. This position involves periodic in-person events outside normal business hours.

Equal Opportunity Employment

FCA is committed to providing access, accessibility, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for disabled people and individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to access or participate in the job application or interview process, and/or to perform essential job functions please contact Isai Soto, 212-807-7077, is@contemporary-arts.org.

Preference will be given to applications received by April 23.

If you believe that you could excel in this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds.