Culture Lab Program Director

About Western States Center

Based in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States, Western States Center (WSC), a 501(c)(3), and Western States Strategies (WSS), a 501(c)(4) affiliate, work nationwide to build a democracy where we all thrive in a just, caring, and connected society. Since 1987, we’ve played a catalytic role in advancing justice by convening, developing, organizing, and supporting the communities most affected by inequities. Our core strategies include cultivating leaders, resourcing organizers and movements, and sharing political education and analysis. We take regional action for national impact, equipping impactful leaders, pro-democracy institutions, and courageous coalitions with the tools needed to effectively counter bigoted social movements.

Position Overview

Since its inception in 2019, WSC’s Culture Lab has worked at the intersection of arts, music, and democracy, partnering with musicians and cultural leaders to counter authoritarian movements and build a more inclusive democracy. Through workshops, cohorts, artist engagement, and cross-sector collaborations, Culture Lab strengthens creative leadership and integrates cultural strategies into broader movement-building efforts.

We are now seeking a dedicated Culture Lab Program Director to lead this work and expand its impact. This position will oversee program strategy, artist engagement, and partnerships, ensuring that Culture Lab serves as a dynamic force for democratic resilience and narrative leadership among artists and culture workers. The Program Director will manage the Culture Lab team, including the Culture Lab Program Manager, and work collaboratively across WSC’s other program areas to deepen the integration of arts and culture into our work towards strengthening inclusive democracy.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead Culture Lab’s strategic direction, ensuring alignment with WSC’s broader goals, values, and program strategies.
• Supervise and support the Culture Lab Program Manager in executing programmatic activities, artist engagement, and network-building efforts.
• Develop and implement strategies that mobilize artists, musicians, and cultural leaders to counter white nationalism and anti-democracy movements.
• Build and maintain relationships with artists, musicians, and cultural institutions, like music and cultural venues, ensuring robust engagement with WSC’s regional field networks and rapid response efforts.
• Partner with WSC’s Momentum and Common Good programs to develop arts-based responses to authoritarian movements and strengthen cultural spaces as sites of resistance and resilience.
• Oversee documentation of Culture Lab’s impact, ensuring strong internal and external communication about program goals and successes.
• Work closely with WSC’s development team to strengthen Culture Lab fundraising strategies, including joining funder briefings and donor meetings as needed, identifying prospective funders, and grant review and advising.
• Collaborate with WSC’s communications team to amplify Culture Lab’s work through media, storytelling, and digital engagement.
• Represent WSC externally, speaking on panels, facilitating workshops, and engaging with key stakeholders in the arts, culture, and pro-democracy sectors.
• Manage consultants, fellows, and other program staff as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Broad experience in program leadership, cultural organizing, or arts-based social justice work, including five years of relevant expertise in a nonprofit, advocacy, or music industry setting.
• Deep understanding of the role of arts, music, and culture in movement-building and pro-democracy organizing.
• Strong leadership and team management experience, with a proven ability to supervise and mentor staff and nurture a positive working environment.
• Demonstrated experience in coalition-building and relationship management with artists, musicians, cultural organizations, and social justice networks.
• Knowledge of cultural strategies for countering white nationalism, authoritarian movements, and anti-democracy activity.
• Excellent strategic thinking and program planning skills, with the ability to turn vision into actionable plans.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience with public speaking, training, and facilitation.
• Self-starter, independent, and solutions-oriented; enjoys creating new systems.
• Passionate about WSC’s mission and impact, strong racial and gender justice analysis, and commitment to embedding equity values in program strategy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently, with keen attention to detail and organizational judgment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Lived experience in the Pacific Northwest or Mountain West as well as a commitment to champion place-based organizing and community resilience.
• Ability to serve as a media spokesperson.
• Experience countering organized bigotry and authoritarianism, networks in the pro-democracy field and progressive nonprofit sector, and familiarity with community organizing and movement building principles.

Location

The role will be remote with travel up to 1-2 times per month. We particularly encourage candidates based in OR, WA, ID, WY, and AZ, or with strong connections to the West to apply.

Compensation

This is a full-time exempt position. Benefits include health and dental insurance; paid sick leave; 20 days of paid vacation; 15 paid holidays; office closures in 2025 from June 30-July 4 and December 22-January 2; work from home stipend and paid digital security subscription; annual professional development support; and a 3% employer contribution to retirement effective date of hire and up to a 2% match for a total of 5%. Western States Center observes a four-day work week. To maintain equity among staff, compensation is designated via an internal, non-negotiable salary matrix that considers years of experience in a comparable role. This position is eligible to earn between $82,000 - $90,000 per year.

Application

Please submit the following for consideration through this application form:

• Cover letter clearly outlining the specific skills and knowledge you bring to the role.
• Resume detailing relevant experience, work history, education, and accomplishments.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For priority consideration, please submit your application by April 25.

Western States Center strives to create an inclusive and equitable workplace, and we encourage people from marginalized communities to apply. Some candidates may see a long list of job requirements and feel discouraged because they don’t match every single bullet point – we suggest that you please apply anyway.