Head of Education and Community

For ISH, education is about more than just dance; we want to help children and young people discover their own strengths. Not everyone will want to become a professional dancer, but we hope that all participants in our activities feel inspired to believe in themselves—and that they learn from us about courage, creativity, and collaboration. For ISH, community is about providing space and support; ISH offers a place for the urban arts & sports community to meet, to try and learn, and to express themselves.

The Head of the Education and Community Team oversees all education and community activities, implements the content strategy outlined in our multi-year plan, and sets the course for the future. Developing strategic partnerships, managing the team, putting together a seasonal program, developing program formats, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols are all part of the role.

At the heart of our activities is the Gym Hall building at Broedplaats De Lely in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, where the programs of our new ISH Academy are being developed. ISH shares the building with Circus Lab Amsterdam, an organization that, like ISH, invests heavily in children and young people. The halls in the building are large and multifunctional, suitable for both dance and other physical activities. All kinds of ISH activities will take place in the building, including rehearsals, ISH OpenPodium, residencies for emerging artists, and other programs yet to be developed. The ISH office is located in the main building of Broedplaats De Lely, right next to the Gym Building.

ISH currently offers numerous classes, workshops, and other educational programs, either on its own initiative or in collaboration with partners such as the Meervaart, the Dutch National Ballet, or the Jakop Ahlbom Company. All of these existing activities will be brought together under the umbrella of our new educational program, ISH Academy, but in the coming years, the focus will primarily be on developing activities at our new location in the Gymzalengebouw at Broedplaats De Lely. To develop and coordinate the activities at this new location, we recently appointed an education and community coordinator (0.8 FTE) with extensive knowledge and experience in hip-hop dance and working with children and youth.

The Head reports to the Director, who develops policy for the organization and oversees the heads of the various teams. The Head also works closely with Artistic Director Marco Gerris on the program’s artistic direction, with the Office Manager on administrative matters, and with the marketing team on promotion and publicity. Work takes place at the ISH office in Broedplaats De Lely in Amsterdam Nieuw-West and in the adjacent Gymzalengebouw. Working hours may sometimes extend beyond regular office hours, depending on the implementation of the activity programs.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Your responsibilities will include:

• Implementing substantive policy.
• Charting a course for the future.
• Developing strategic partnerships and maintaining a network.
• Managing the team; ensuring that tasks are distributed among team members
• and professional development.
• Designing and developing program offerings.
• Ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
• Budget preparation within financial constraints and budget management.

You are/have (at a minimum):

• An affinity for the performing arts and for young people.
• Knowledge of elementary and secondary education.
• Network in arts education, youth work, and/or education.
• At least seven years of relevant work experience, including two years in a managerial position.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The entrepreneurial spirit to independently develop new initiatives.
• The ability to work in a systematic and goal-oriented manner.

Advantage:

• An interest in hip-hop dance, urban sports, and/or street culture.
• Education or experience in the fields of education, the arts, or social work.
• Resides in Amsterdam.

What do we offer?

• A dynamic work environment that encourages initiative and fosters a sense of responsibility.
• A great workplace in Amsterdam with a close-knit team.
• A one-year flexible contract with the possibility of extension.
• Salary in Scale VIII of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Theater and Dance, based on experience (€3,120–€4,614).

How to respond:

Please send your cover letter and resume to vacatures@ishdancecollective.com by Sunday, January 8. Interviews will be held in the second half of January. The start date is negotiable, preferably March 1, 2023.

Our organization:

The artists and staff of ISH Dance Collective are committed to diversity in every respect. We aim to reflect Amsterdam’s diverse community and will take this into account as a criterion in the recruitment process for this position.

For more information about the organization, visitFacebook,Instagram,YouTube,orourwebsite.

PHOTO: ALEX BRENNER