Arts & Health Pilot Cohort Coordinator

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) invites professional educators, facilitators, and/or artists with demonstrated administrative, educational, and mentoring qualifications to apply for the Cohort Coordinator position. The Coordinator will receive $80,000 to serve as the primary navigator and point person for a cohort of 10 artists trained as community health workers and apprenticing at City mental health clinics from September 2023 – December 2024.

The Chicago Arts & Health Pilot for Creative Workers is a partnership between DCASE, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), and City Colleges of Chicago. The program aims to strengthen trauma-informed and culturally responsive health services in communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Selected artists will be trained as community health workers to offer creative wellness strategies at the City's five mental health clinics: North River Clinic (North Park/Albany Park), Lawndale Clinic, Greater Grand Clinic (Bronzeville), Greater Lawn Clinic, and Englewood Clinic. Priority will go to artists from and/or with existing community connections to these neighborhoods.

The Cohort Coordinator will track paperwork, maintain student files, monitor apprentices' progress and attendance, audit curriculum, coach and assess students' learning, support artist programming and service planning, coordinate community meetings and outreach, and serve as liaison between apprentices, City Colleges instructors, and City administration. Applicants must be Chicago residents with a valid street address, at least 18 years old, and hold a high school diploma or GED. A Bachelor's Degree in a related field with 4-6 years of experience (or equivalent combination) is required, along with understanding of arts and health practices. Bilingual applicants are highly encouraged. Submit CV/resume, 1-2 page cover letter, two professional references, and work samples demonstrating adult education experience, interaction with diverse populations, and knowledge of educational technologies. Written samples (up to three 5-page documents) are required; images (up to 8) and audio/visual (up to 5 minutes) are optional. Include an annotated list describing each work sample.