Summary
Description
The Position
The Youth Programs Manager plays a key role in shaping and delivering engaging teen programming at the Museum of Contemporary Art. This position is responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing dynamic in-person and multimedia programs that increase youth attendance, participation, and engagement.
Working collaboratively across departments and with external partners, the Youth Programs Manager builds meaningful connections with teens, educators, artists, and community organizations while supporting the museum’s mission to serve diverse audiences.
Key Responsibilities
Teen Programming & Partnerships
Lead the planning, promotion, and execution of all teen programs, including leadership initiatives, internships, workshops, and special events.
Manage events such as Family Day, teen exhibition openings, Educator Night, Teen Artist in Residence programs, and school film festivals.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with high schools, educators, and administrators.
Oversee teen leadership program logistics, including curriculum coordination, scheduling, and facilitator management.
Recruit, train, and supervise teaching artists.
Manage program logistics, including event setup and breakdown.
Support marketing efforts by reviewing materials and collaborating on outreach to schools and teachers.
Maintain program documentation, including budgets, archives, and records.
Collaboration
Cultivate relationships with teaching artists, community partners, and educators.
Collaborate with internal teams to support internship and fellowship programs.
Partner with Marketing to manage teen communications, including social media.
Work with schools and community organizations to design inclusive and engaging teen-focused programming.
Contribute to the museum’s overall teen engagement strategy.
Administration
Manage the museum’s teen space (The Idea Box), including scheduling and usage.
Maintain the teen program calendar and coordinate partner access.
Track attendance and support program evaluation efforts
Finance
Assist in developing and managing youth programming budgets.
Coordinate with finance staff to process payments for participants, artists, and partners.
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Museum Studies, Studio Art, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Experience:
Minimum of 3 years in a museum, educational, or cultural organization.
Experience working with teen audiences required.
Experience working with schools or school-based programs preferred.
Skills & Abilities:
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Professional and adaptable when working with diverse audiences.
Schedule:
Flexible availability, including evenings and weekends as needed for events.
Additional Information
This position requires handling confidential information with discretion.
Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to speak, understand, and communicate in English effectively, in person and in writing. Ability to hear adequately in person and by phone, in personal and group settings.
Ability to work with, and process information from, a variety of individuals and media (e.g. computers, projected images, printed materials), and sitting and/or standing up to 6 hours per day.
Mobility necessary to access various offices and a wide variety of meeting and museum settings. Mobility necessary to perform a variety of tasks that involve standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, bending and twisting, occasionally climbing stairs or using an elevator, possibly reaching chest high and overhead for materials.
Ability to reach for, move and/or lift up to 15 pounds and the use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
About Us
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA Denver) is a nonprofit organization providing an innovative forum for contemporary art that inspires and challenges, creating understanding and dialogue about the art of our time. MCA Denver is paving a new path for a 21st century museum that is Both/And: We are both advancing the field of contemporary art and providing a platform for creative expression, in the broadest sense of the term. We present both world-class exhibitions and quirky events, serious lectures and epic parties. We are both sophisticated and unpretentious. We welcome all audiences, celebrate all voices, and share all stories to provide one-of-a-kind experiences for our community.
Our Core Values
We are:
Adventurous – We are risk-takers. We are creative, open, curious, and sometimes weird.
Excellent – We strive to be the best in our field, we have high expectations, we believe in being resilient, creative problem-solvers, and professionals.
Human Centric – We are collaborative. We strive for emotional intelligence, and we value relationships.
Inclusive – We are welcoming to all audiences, voices, and stories. We believe in being authentic and inclusive. We actively seek and engage with diverse perspectives.
MCA Denver is committed in policy, principle, and practice to maintaining an environment that prohibits discriminatory behavior and provides equal opportunity for all persons. MCA Denver affirms its commitment to provide a welcoming and respectful work and educational environment, in which all individuals within the museum community may benefit from each other’s experiences and foster mutual respect and appreciation of divergent views.
All employment decisions at MCA Denver are based on business needs, job requirements and individual applicant qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, or belief, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), family or parental status, or any other status protected by law. MCA Denver will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
Our History
MCA Denver was founded in 1996 by philanthropist Sue Cannon and a group of committed volunteers and artists who responded to the community’s need for a contemporary art museum in Denver. In 2007, we opened our 27,000-square foot, environmentally sustainable facility in the Riverfront neighborhood of LoDo Denver. Our building has five galleries on two floors as well as dedicated education spaces, a gift shop, an innovative art lending library, and a rooftop bar and café. In 2021, MCA Denver opened a satellite location at the Holiday Theater in Denver’s Northside. This 380-seat auditorium is the site of some of the museum’s programming and events.
Application Process
This is an exempt, salaried position.
The salary range is $58,000-$60,000/year and includes our standard benefits package, including medical, dental, basic term life insurance, 403b retirement, holiday pay and paid time off.
Applications will be accepted until May 14th, 2026
Benefits
The salary range is $58,000-$60,000/year and includes our standard benefits package, including medical, dental, basic term life insurance, 403b retirement, holiday pay and paid time off.
