Restorative Justice Program Director
Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For over 30 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative and equitable process, creating nearly 4,000 artworks that have transformed public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts aims to empower people, stimulate dialogue, and build bridges of understanding with projects that attract artists from Philadelphia and around the world, and programs that focus on youth education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, and public art and its preservation. Popular mural tours offer a firsthand glimpse into the inspiring stories behind Mural Arts’ iconic and unparalleled collection, which has earned Philadelphia worldwide recognition as the “City of Murals.”
Mural Arts is seeking a Director to lead the work of its nationally recognized Restorative Justice Program. Restorative justice is an alternative to traditional means of rehabilitation and punishment. It brings together offenders, victims, and community members, focusing on conversation and understanding as the first steps on the path to healing.
Consistent with the multiple levels of impact Mural Arts strives to achieve across its practice, our Restorative Justice Program aims to:
- Improve opportunities and quality of life for those in and returning from prison in order to reduce recidivism and increase chances of successful re-entry
- Stimulate healing in communities negatively impacted by crime and incarceration, including those who are victimized by crime and the families that suffer from the disruptive effects of mass incarceration
- Engage and inform diverse audiences about specific issues and challenges relating to the justice system in order to create a more supportive environment for those re-entering society and increase advocacy for effective policies
- Influence the systems that devise and implement our criminal justice system to reduce inequity and bias and pursue strategies that best serve the needs of individuals and communities
The Restorative Justice Program accomplishes these goals through an interconnected series of activities, including: high profile public art projects examining topics of critical relevance to the justice system; art workshops at state and local prisons; a four to six month re-entry program in which participants learn skills, apprentice on public art projects, and receive job training and placement support; and peer mentorship and continuing support for re-entry graduates. The program also facilitates public events, symposia, and exhibitions designed to foster dialogue about key issues and offer a platform to underrepresented voices within the system. All of these efforts are led in deep collaboration with the City of Philadelphia and a vast network of partners.
Key duties
- Develop and advance the vision and goals of the program in collaboration with the team and Mural Arts’ leadership
- Supervise, mentor, and support the team assigned to the work
- Oversee the work of consultants, artists, instructors assigned to the program
- Develop and maintain the partnerships necessary to advance the work in collaboration with key staff
- Develop and manage the program’s budget
- Oversee the collection of necessary data and prepare reports as required
- Coordinate project management of public art projects aligned with core curriculum
- Collaborate with core support divisions (Communications, Development and Finance) to assist the efforts to fundraise, market, and track the work of the Program
- Support the cultivation of donors interested in the work of Restorative Justice
- Serve on the senior team of the organization and participate in strategic discussion about Mural Arts’ work and future
- Serve as ambassador for Mural Arts and the Restorative Justice Program in wide range of settings locally, nationally and internationally
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Commitment to the principles of Restorative Justice
- Familiarity and connections with the criminal justice system is a plus
- Belief in the power of participatory public art to ignite change
- Alignment with core organizational values (curiosity, collaboration, innovation, diversity, equity, accountability)
- Ability to work well with diverse populations, especially those impacted by trauma
- Ability to motivate and lead people and programs with vision, creativity, and strategy
- Capacity to work collaboratively to ensure a robust cross sector approach to the work
- Capacity to develop, nurture, and advance people and partnerships
- Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work well in a fast paced environment
- Creative problem solving skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to develop and manage budgets
Additional qualifications:
- Masters or equivalent experience in social service, criminal justice or related field
- Must have 10 years of experience managing people, programs, and projects
- Valid driver’s license
Mural Arts is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive health and dental benefits package.
