About the Role
About CM Youth Center:
The Government of Meghalaya, in partnership with Sauramandala Foundation (www.sauramandala.org) and Project DEFY (www.projectdefy.org), has established 22 rural SDL (Self-directed learning) centres for youth, called the Chief Minister's Youth Center with an aim to build resilience, sustainability, and problem-solving skills in the next generation of the community. The youth centres are established to bridge the digital divide with the help of innovation and entrepreneurship skills by providing access to the Internet along with open learning opportunities. The main features of the centre are a Nook (SDL space), a Library/Arts and a Sports program. The learning is open to all ages to have more involvement from the community.
About the Role:
The Manager - Arts and Theatre will play a pivotal role in shaping vibrant, culturally enriched arts and theatre programs across CMYC centres in Meghalaya. This role is dedicated to empowering children and youth, fostering community unity, and preserving cultural heritage through dynamic arts, storytelling, and theatre initiatives. The Manager will collaborate closely with local artists, children and youth learners, and community leaders to design programs that ignite creativity, inspire active social engagement, and deepen cultural connections. This role will be central in creating safe spaces for self-expression, intergenerational dialogue, and collective growth, positioning the CMYC centres as hubs of artistic innovation and cultural pride.
Key Responsibilities
Program Development & Implementation
Arts Program Design: Collaborate with centre-level teams and local artists to design culturally relevant arts and theatre programs that cater to community needs, promote self-expression, and foster creativity.
Theatre Workshop Facilitation: Lead theatre workshops focused on storytelling, improvisation, and performance skills, encouraging children and youth to explore self-expression and cultural identity.
Program Customization/Improvisation: Customize arts and theatre programs to fit the unique cultural landscape of each region, ensuring relevance and inclusivity.
Life Skills Integration: Utilize arts and theatre to teach life skills such as communication, collaboration, and empathy, empowering youth through creative expression.
2. Community Engagement & Partner Collaborations
Collaborative Arts Initiatives: Develop initiatives that bring together traditional and contemporary art forms, integrating local storytelling, folk arts, and dance into broader arts programming.
School and NGO Collaboration: Work with local schools, NGOs, and youth-focused organizations to expand access to arts and theatre programs, including co-hosting events or workshops.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Build partnerships with cultural institutions, art collectives, and government bodies to enrich the CMYC arts programming with new resources, talent, and exposure.
Parents and Elder Engagement: Encourage parents, community elders, and leaders to participate in arts and theatre events, fostering intergenerational learning and shared cultural experiences.
3. Budget & Resource Management
Budget Oversight: Develop and manage the budget for arts and theatre programming, ensuring efficient allocation and usage of resources.
Resource Mobilization: Identify opportunities for additional funding, grants, and in-kind donations to support arts initiatives, working with CMYC leadership to strengthen resource availability.
Material Management: Ensure availability of art supplies, costumes, and other materials needed for various programs, maintaining inventory and quality standards.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
Program Evaluation: Develop tools to measure the impact of arts and theatre programs on youth development, using surveys, feedback, and performance reviews.
Progress Tracking: Track children and youth participation, engagement, and skill development in arts and theatre activities, regularly reporting outcomes to CMYC leadership.
Storytelling and Impact Sharing: Collect and share impactful stories of youth and community members who have benefitted from the arts programming, working with the communications team to document testimonials and case studies.
5. Capacity Building & Mentorship
Field Team Support: Mentor centre and regional staff, conducting training sessions on facilitation skills, creative techniques, and community engagement strategies.
Youth Leadership Development: Identify and nurture local children and youth leaders passionate about the arts, guiding them to take on leadership roles within arts programs.
Training Local Talent: Offer capacity-building sessions for local artists, providing skills training to enhance their roles as facilitators and mentors within the CMYC arts programming.
Eligibility:
Experince: Minimum of 6–9 years in arts programming, community engagement, or theatre management, with core experience in rural development or youth programming.
Arts Facilitation: Demonstrated experience in arts education, theatre facilitation, and program management, ideally in diverse, community-based environments.
Cultural Sensitivity: Strong understanding of regional cultural dynamics and an ability to adapt arts programs to local customs and traditions.
Project Management: Ability to design and implement multiple arts initiatives simultaneously, coordinating with stakeholders, facilitating events, and ensuring high-quality program delivery.
Leadership & Mentorship: Proven experience in leading and mentoring teams, ideally including young facilitators and community-based staff.
Analytical Skills: Ability to evaluate program success using data, feedback,and engagement metrics, and refine arts strategies accordingly.
Reporting & Communication: Experience in writing program reports, managing budgets, and communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders.