About Firebird Community Arts
“Our mission is to empower and connect people through the healing practice of glassblowing and ceramics.”
In the heart of Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, Firebird Community Arts has transformed a former warehouse into a vibrant sanctuary for creation, connection, and healing. In this space, art becomes a tool of transformation, and the mediums of ceramics and glassblowing become more than just crafts – they are catalysts for healing. With an emphasis on supporting individuals impacted by trauma, Firebird opens its doors to youth impacted by community violence, formerly incarcerated individuals, and students from Chicago Public Schools, particularly those from the South and West sides of the city.
Firebird’s work extends beyond skill-building: it creates a rare opportunity for people from different walks of life – who might otherwise never cross paths – to come together, learn, and grow through the shared experience of creating. Through their hands, people rebuild, reconnect, and rediscover their power. The artistry nurtured at Firebird doesn’t just foster creativity; it fosters community.
In an environment that aims to be welcoming, safe, and supportive, Firebird offers more than instruction. It provides a pathway for healing, links to wrap-around services, and bridges to future opportunities. For those traditionally underrepresented in the arts, Firebird opens doors to professional and educational advancement, helping to create a future where everyone can rise through the power of art.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Board of the Directors, the ED will shape the direction and scope of the organization’s future. The success of the capital campaign and move to a new facility opens the door to forging new and deeper relationships, provides new opportunities for program growth and development and sustainably expands Firebird’s reach and potential for continued growth.
Working with and leading a team of 5 full time staff, 8 part time members, and 3 independent contractors, the ED will provide leadership and oversight of strategy, programs, fundraising, community engagement, finances, operation, advocacy and human resources. Shifting to a single Executive Director leadership, the ED will be responsible for building and modeling excellent organizational culture, providing inspirational leadership to the staff, teaching artists and program participants and building on a well-established working relationship with the board of directors.
A primary area of focus of the next ED is developing and managing improvements to the internal infrastructure necessary to support expansion and growth, including the refinement of operating procedures, systems, policies and metrics. This extends to establishing tools and systems to support professional development throughout the organization.
The ED will oversee – and build strong connections between – Firebird’s full breadth of programming and the communities it serves through deep engagement, partnerships and collaborations, and by showcasing the holistic benefits of Firebird’s work and its impact for itself to a broad audience in a variety of public settings.
With a vision for the future, the ED will have the opportunity to hire a set of employees in administrative functions including a Director of Development.
Candidate Profile
The ED of Firebird Community Arts will possess the following personal and professional qualities, skills and competencies:
A Strategic and Visionary Leader
The ED is a strategic and creative leader with a solid understanding of the processes needed to advance the work of a mission-based organization, from strategic plan development and implementation to funding and mission delivery. The ED brings experience leading during a period of growth, change, and direction-setting. Curious and entrepreneurial by nature, the ED can lead the staff and Board to seek opportunities to grow and evolve, co-create, increase impact, build visibility, and promote engagement. The ED is an experienced advocate and coalition-builder who actively and strategically seeks out partnerships to advance the mission and strategic priorities.
Guiding Purpose-Driven Initiatives and Securing Success
The ED will be someone who can think creatively and expansively while always keeping people, sustainability, and long-term impact at the forefront. This person will have a proven track record of supporting and uplifting teams, helping them prioritize and align around shared goals, and translating vision into meaningful action. As a natural advocate for the organization, the ED will cultivate a culture of inclusivity, trust, and collaboration, creating a space where all voices are heard and new ideas can thrive. The ED will bring experience fostering a positive, collaborative work environment, demonstrating effective communication and conflict resolution strategies. The ED will know how to balance listening with decisive leadership, recognizing when to seek input and when to confidently move forward in pursuit of the organization’s mission. A key strength will be their ability to grow and develop team members, ensuring they have opportunities to adapt and thrive as the organization evolves. With a commitment to transparency and open communication, the ED will guide the team in executing on organizational goals while fostering an environment of accountability, professional growth, and creativity. They will prioritize creating a workplace where innovation, initiative, and a sense of shared purpose are not only encouraged but supported at every level.
Authentic Spokesperson and Adept Relationship Builder
An engaged and passionate storyteller, the ED will compel individuals and institutions to embrace the advantages of communities enriched by the arts and invest in them. This is a leader with self-awareness and an approachable demeanor that will resonate across the Chicago region. This leader will bring a high level of cultural awareness and competency with the ability to engage and inspire donors, funders, and philanthropic partners with the same ease as program participants, teachers, families, and volunteers. The ED will bring an entrepreneurial approach to revenue diversification and generation and an understanding of nonprofit finance and various revenue streams, including philanthropy, government grants, and individual support among others. They will possess an authentic and genuine ability to convene and inspire individuals, communities, and partner organizations around Firebird’s vision.
The ED will be a strong advocate for youth, teaching artists and staff. The ED will bring an understanding of how financial decisions impact the community the organization serves, ensuring that all resources are used ethically and equitably.
Business Acumen
The ED will bring a holistic understanding of both the internal operations and external environment, enabling informed decision-making that drives the organization's success. The ED will bring an understanding of organizational development, operations, personnel management, and finance. The ED will understand how to leverage budgeting and forecasting to maximize organizational effectiveness. Finally, the ED understands the importance of a robust partnership with a strong and efficient Board and will ensure best practice board governance and accountability.
A Champion for Healing, Social Justice, and the Mission
Fundamentally, the ED brings an understanding of the importance of the arts as a unique medium to connect, heal, and engage individuals and communities. They will exhibit self-awareness, high emotional intelligence, and an understanding of others that enhances interpersonal communication and management abilities. The successful candidate will be able to bring all these attributes to the hard work of change management in a multi-racial, inter-generational, and dynamic organization. With a commitment to social justice, this leader will have sensitivity to the arts space for the youth, community, and staff. An appreciation for the strength, vitality, and richness of East Garfield Park and the Chicago region is imperative. This leader will have a strong work ethic and evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth. Additionally, this leader will be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values – someone who can be trusted without reservation.
We are open to candidates from a variety of nonprofit backgrounds. An interdisciplinary career in youth development, trauma informed care, early childhood development, education, workforce development and/or arts and culture is attractive.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $125,000 to $145,000.