WHAT WE DO

Our Mission: A Reason to Survive (ARTS) lifts young people in the South County region of San Diego to become confident, compassionate, and courageous community builders through the transformative power of creativity.

Our organization: Founded in 2001, ARTS grew from a deeply personal mission to provide young people with the same kind of refuge and healing that ARTS founder, Matt D’Arrigo, found in the arts. What began as therapeutic outreach in local hospitals has evolved over the last 24 years into a cornerstone of the South Bay community and a national leader in the Creative Youth Development space. The organization’s journey has been marked by significant milestones, including the opening of a 20,000-square-foot flagship campus in National City.

Today, ARTS uplifts over 1,500 youth annually through comprehensive programs, including:

Community ARTS & ARTS on Campus: Delivering high-quality creative experiences at the ARTS Center and through public school districts across the South Bay.
ARTS @ Work: Preparing youth for successful futures through college and career readiness, mentoring, and professional skill-building.
ARTS 4 Justice: Providing restorative, healing-centered art programs for system-impacted and opportunity youth.

Through our innovative programs such as the annual Día de los Muertos festival, our end-of-season Youth Arts Festival, and our robust Volunteer and Intern Program, ARTS provides over 25,000 annual visitors with a space to connect and heal. Supported by 40+ community partnerships and a dedicated team of over 100 team members and volunteers, ARTS continues to prove that the arts are an essential tool for personal and community resilience.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

ARTS is led by a highly engaged 7-member Board of Directors. The organization’s leadership and culture are defined by a rare blend of vision, stability, and deep community commitment. As the only organization offering this level of arts-based youth development, ARTS brings college‑level training and state‑of‑the‑art facilities directly to young people, creating transformative experiences that genuinely change lives. The team operates from a place of strength—solid programs, a healthy financial foundation, and a readiness to grow. Relationships are at the heart of the culture: team members build long‑term connections with students. ARTS stands as a source of hope, continuity, and possibility, driven by leaders and educators who believe deeply in the power of creativity to shape brighter futures.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: $125,000 - $150,000
Medical, dental, vision insurance
15 PTO days, 5 paid sick days, and 15 paid holidays
Group Life/AD&D

LOCATION

This is largely an in-person role, but ARTS provides team members with a high degree of flexibility and autonomy to balance life and career. Our campus is located at 200 E 12th Street, National City, CA 91950.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Board Chair and working closely with the Board of Directors, our next Executive Director (ED) will leverage our 25-year legacy and national reputation to amplify ARTS’ reach within the communities of South County San Diego. They will serve as a highly visible spokesperson on three key fronts: 1) ARTS as an organization, 2) the wider role of CBOs (community-based organizations) in providing community-responsive extended learning opportunities, and 3) Creative Youth Development as a movement. In this capacity, the ED will lead in building cross-sector partnerships with school districts, municipalities, and philanthropic leaders.

As our “Chief Mission Champion”, the ED will oversee an annual operating budget of $1.8M and lead our efforts to continue diversifying revenue through both philanthropic fundraising and fee-for-service contracts. With the support of the leadership team, the Executive Director provides strategic oversight for all operational, programmatic, and advancement efforts to ensure long-term organizational health. The role currently has three direct reports: Program Manager, Operations Manager, Communications Manager, and, in the future, a new Advancement Director as well.

Year One Priorities

Build Relationships: Forge meaningful connections with the Board, team, and key stakeholders to understand ARTS' history and shape its future. Establish strong channels of trust and communication with our incredible team of 60 team members, made up of our amazing team of creatives and administrative professionals.
Fundraising & Stewardship: Engage funders and identify new prospects to garner support for the mission.
Board Development: Thoughtfully expand the Board of Directors to ensure the organization has the diverse expertise and leadership necessary to achieve its growth plans.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Management

Ensure our programs are of the highest quality, continuously evaluated, and mission-aligned.
Actively engage the Board in strategic planning, Board governance, and Board recruitment.
Coach, mentor, and manage team members, supporting talent retention, engagement, and growth.
Engage with our incredible team of creatives, working closely with them to deepen connection to both the organization and our mission.
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, and ensure all internal policies (e.g., bylaws, conflict of interest, payroll) are up to date.
Manage and grow the partnership with the City of National City—serve as the primary liaison, deliver regular presentations at City Hall, steward relationships, produce impact reports and other partner-facing updates.
Build and maintain strong community partnerships—cultivate relationships with local organizations, key stakeholders, and partners to align efforts and advance shared goals.

Development & Fundraising

Expand fundraising activities to support existing and new programs, including grant writing, campaign development, event planning, and cultivating relationships with donors.
Develop and nurture relationships with major donors, foundations, and community members, communicating the vision and impact of ARTS.
Strengthen ARTS’ brand and public image by overseeing all external communications, including the website, newsletter, social media, and public relations. This involves speaking at community events and engaging with local media.

Financial Oversight & Planning

Manage all aspects of finance, including audits and grant administration, while ensuring all expenses are within budget.
Collaborate with the Board and leadership team to create and implement strategic plans and annual budgets that support ARTS’ long-term objectives.
Ensure all financial matters, including the annual audit and IRS 990 filing, are managed according to organizational policies, financial standards, and with the support of a certified public accountant (CPA).

BACKGROUND PROFILE

Demonstrated passion for and experience in youth-serving or community development organizations, with the cultural competency necessary to authentically lead in the South Bay and National City.
Proven experience as an ED or senior leader, capable of mentoring a highly empowered team of artists through transparent communication and inclusive decision-making.
Extensive track record in fundraising and social entrepreneurship, with a focus on securing major gifts and managing complex fee-for-service contracts with school districts and municipalities.
Strong ability to navigate local government and community dynamics to effectively steward relationships with city leadership and secure essential facility leases and public-private partnerships.
Skilled in managing budgets and multi-year funding strategies, with the ability to maintain a high standard of safety and excellence across physical makerspace and gallery facilities.
Fluency in Spanish or Tagalog is a plus.

A Reason To Survive jobs

Executive Director