Work with Mandala
Audition Notice for Bharatanatyam dancers
Mandala South Asian Performing Arts invites Bharatanatyam dancers to audition for a new paid contract. Contract Includes:
- Competitive Pay
- Projects with International Artists
- Opportunities to learn other dance styles
- Collaborative opportunities
Requirement- Prior Bharatanatyam dance style experience
In person audition available upon request at Fine Arts Building, 410 S Michigan Avenue, #528, Chicago, IL 60605
For a virtual audition, please email info@mandalaarts.org the following information:
- A video with your Bharatanatyam technique steps or a choreographed dance
- Age
- Location
Please email info@mandalaarts.org for further details.
Audition Notice for Kathak dancers
Mandala South Asian Performing Arts invites Kathak dancers to audition for a new paid contract.
Contract Includes:
- Competitive Pay
- Projects with International Artists
- Opportunities to learn other dance styles
- Collaborative opportunities
Requirement- Prior Kathak dance style experience
In person audition available upon request at Fine Arts Building, 410 S Michigan Avenue, #528, Chicago, IL 60605
For a virtual audition, please email info@mandalaarts.org the following information:
- A video with your Kathak technique steps or a choreographed dance
- Age
- Location
Please email info@mandalaarts.org for further details.
New Job Postings
Location: Chicago, IL
Organization: Mandala South Asian Performing Arts
Position Type: Summer 2025 Internship
Starting: Spring
Position Overview:
We’re seeking a Summer Intern for 2025 to support our Communications, Marketing, and
Community Engagement efforts. This role offers hands-on experience in promoting South Asian
performing arts while building community relationships.
About Us:
Mandala Arts celebrates South Asian performing arts through engaging programs and cultural
initiatives. We aim to create a platform for artists of all backgrounds and foster appreciation for
diverse traditions in Chicago and beyond.
Key Responsibilities:
Communications and Marketing
● Manage communications with partners, artists, and sponsors.
● Create new marketing strategies for Mandala’s audiences
● Expand Mandala’s audience through targeted marketing.
● Create compelling designs to promote Mandala’s performances, education programs and
community events.
● Document Mandala’s events through photos and videos
● Assist in collecting data at events and creating project reports
● Develop and implement social media strategy to maintain active online engagement
● Assist in foot marketing initiatives
Community Engagement
● Cultivate partnerships with community members and organizations.
● Develop outreach ideas to engage diverse audiences.
● Organize and attend community events to promote our programs.
Qualifications:
● Experience in Communications, Marketing, Arts Management, or related fields.
● Proficient with Canva, iMovie or knowledge of Adobe Premiere Pro
● Proficient in using phone cameras for documentation
● Strong written and verbal communication skills
● Familiarity with social media platforms.
● Interest in performing arts and community engagement.
What You’ll Gain:
● Experience in nonprofit communications and community outreach.
● Networking opportunities within the South Asian arts community.
● A chance to impact cultural initiatives.
● College credit if applicable.
Join us this summer to help promote South Asian performing arts in Chicago while developing
your professional skills! If you are interested, send a resume and cover letter to
info@mandalaarts.org.
Organization: Mandala Arts
Location: Chicago, IL
Position Type: Contractual Position
Starting: Immediately
Overview:
Mandala Arts is seeking a talented and motivated intern videographer for an oral history project
focused on immigration. This initiative is part of a larger series of multicultural performances in
Chicago commemorating the Immigration Act of 1965. The project will take place over several
months during 2025.
Key Responsibilities:
- Capture compelling video interviews with individuals sharing their immigration stories.
- Document related events and performances in various settings.
- Collaborate with the Mandala Arts team to produce high-quality video content.
- Edit video footage to create engaging narratives that highlight diverse immigrant
experiences.
Qualifications:
- Strong technical skills in videography.
- Creative storytelling ability with an eye for visual composition.
- Experience in documentary filmmaking or arts documentation is a plus.
- Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Audition, iMovie or other video & audio
editing software.
Requirements:
- Availability for flexible hours, including evenings and weekends when necessary.
- Must have access to their own videography equipment.
- Interest in storytelling and the arts, particularly within the context of cultural heritage.
Benefits:
- Gain valuable experience in documentary filmmaking and arts documentation.
- Contribute to a meaningful project that honors immigrant communities.
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth within the nonprofit sector.
If you are interested in helping us bring these important narratives to life, we encourage you to apply by sending a resume and cover letter to info@mandalaarts.org
Organization: Mandala Arts
Location: Chicago, IL
Position Type: Summer 2025 Internship
Starting: Immediately
Mandala Arts, a South Asian performing arts nonprofit, is seeking a detail-oriented and
passionate Grant Writer Intern. In this role, you will prepare professional grant documents for
our annual and seasonal performing arts projects, ensuring alignment with our mission and goals.
This is an opportunity to gain experience and mentorship both in communications and the field
of performing arts, and to receive college credit if applicable.
Key Responsibilities:
- Research and identify grant opportunities that align with Mandala Arts’ initiatives.
- Write and edit grant proposals, ensuring clarity and professionalism.
- Compile and organize documentation to support grant applications.
- Create reports at the conclusion of grant cycles, summarizing project impact and results.
Qualifications:
- Strong writing and editing skills.
- Familiarity with grant writing processes and nonprofit funding.
- Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
- Interest in the arts and cultural initiatives.
This internship offers valuable experience in grant writing and nonprofit operations while contributing to the growth of South Asian performing arts. If you are eager to make a difference, we encourage you to apply by sending a resume and cover letter to info@mandalaarts.org!
Organization: Mandala Arts
Location: Chicago, IL
Position Type: Contractual Position
Mandala Arts, a South Asian performing arts nonprofit, is seeking a dynamic Dancer & Educator
to join our team. In this dual role, you will perform at Mandala’s professional and outreach
events, showcasing your talent and passion for South Asian dance. Additionally, you will teach
classes for school residencies and at the Mandala Academy, inspiring students of all ages to
appreciate and engage with South Asian performing arts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform at various Mandala events, including shows and community outreach
performances.
- Develop and deliver engaging dance lessons for students in school residencies and
Mandala Academy.
- Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment for all participants.
- Collaborate with other artists and educators to enhance program offerings.
Qualifications:
- Proficiency in South Asian dance forms.
- Experience in teaching or working with youth in educational settings is a plus.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Passion for cultural education and community engagement.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to share your artistic talents while making a meaningful impact in the community. If you are enthusiastic about dance and education, we encourage you to apply by sending a resume, cover letter, and work sample to info@mandalaarts.org!
Applications are open for the position of Community Engagement Specialist
Application Deadline: April 15, 2023
Responsibilities:
- Developing, managing and expanding Mandala’s community engagement efforts to foster new connections and strengthen existing relationships within Devon
- Maintaining a link with local community
- Build relationships and power through a series of one on one with community members and key stakeholders.
- Identify issues and opportunities that connect to the lived experiences of community members and connect them to Mandala’s programs that impact them.
- Facilitate monthly meetings with the South Asian Coalition reaching out to stakeholders, developing a meeting agenda, and preparing community members.
- Organize and facilitate community discussions, and workshops in virtual or in person.
- Be representative within external coalition meetings with the Pan Asian organizations
- Assist Executive Director with program related fundraising.
- Manage administrative duties related to programming reporting.
- Document activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place
- Establishes positive, supportive relationships with community members
Qualifications and Experience:
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite and Excel
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience in writing and management
- Commitment to maintaining a high level of confidentiality with information acquired about Mandala prospects, donors, and volunteers
- Passion for engaging with students and families
- Ability and willingness to travel to Devon on regular weekly basis
- Attendance at all Mandala events
- Working with South Asian populations
- Strong advocate for issues such as racial justice, immigrant/refugee rights, and economic justice.
- Proactive creative problem solving attitude and the ability to be flexible.
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, priorities and deadlines in an effective and timely fashion.
- Multilingual or ability to translate (South Asian languages such as Urdu, Hindi, Bangla, Gujarati and etc.)
Associate Executive Director
The Associate Executive Director (AED) is responsible for the management of Mandala’s day-to-day operations, including program development, human resources, marketing, business management, staff management and recruitment.
The AED will work closely with the executive leadership and the board to accomplishing Mandala’s mission of providing quality South Asian centric arts.
Responsibilities:
Marketing
● Build brand awareness, engagement, adoption, and advocacy for Mandala’s mission and strategic fundraising initiatives through integrated marketing efforts.
● Lead the planning process and oversee the development of innovative, multichannel marketing plans for donor marketing efforts.
Business Development
● Lead the development and implementation of annual operational goals, strategies and project-specific plans with appropriate involvement of staff and stakeholders.
● Keep up to date with public policies, funding opportunities and strategies, with a view to identifying opportunities for the development of the organization
● Advise on matters relating to the development, promotion and implementation of Mandala’s vision and mission.
● Develop and manage effective external relationships with strategic partners and represent Mandala externally.
Financial Management
● Maintain an overview of Mandala’s financial health, leading on budgeting and forecasting and overseeing appropriate financial management and control.
● Support in compiling accurate management accounts, producing end-of-year
accounts and processing financial transactions
● Oversee seasonal monitoring processes to evaluate performance against budget, review risks and issues and agree corrective actions with Project Managers/Board of Trustees.
● Devise and implement an ongoing successful income generation strategy, including preparing and submitting key fundraising bids, negotiating contracts and service level agreements with funders, and broadening income streams to support greater organizational resilience.
● Support and coordinate staff, and volunteers who are actively involved in delivering the funding strategy.
● Develop opportunities and activities to generate income through services, facilities, events and our community to sustain the organization and its key objectives.
● Supervise the preparation of suitable reports to meet the monitoring requirements of funders and provide evidence that specifications have been met.
Staff Management
● Provide strong and clear leadership of the staff team, promoting an inclusive, supportive and positive environment to work in.
● Provide support for the senior leadership team, including regular appraisals, identification of training needs and reviews of job descriptions.
● Ensure that an effective system is in place for the recruitment, management, training and development of staff that reflects the diversity of our community.
● Review the organizational structure in line with the annual objectives, making recommendations to the Board of Trustees as appropriate.
Accountability.
● Report to the Artistic Director (Pranita Nayar)
Please email a resume and cover letter to info@mandalaarts.org to apply.
Salary and Benefits
- Flexible schedule (15-20 hrs/wk) Excellent learning experience
- Leadership Role
- Learning about Non-profit organizations
- Community engagement
- Salary Commensurate with experience, skills, education and training.
Beginning January 2023.
Please forward resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references and submit to: Human Resources at info@mandalaarts.org by January 15, 2022
Devon Community Advisory Council
Mandala Arts is accepting applications for Mandala’s Together We Heal Devon Community Advisory Council (DCAC).
DCAC is a representative group of volunteer members who live and/or work in our service area. The council advises Mandala Arts on issues of interest to the broader community. It is an essential partner in achieving Mandala Arts’s goals related to the broader community interests, community benefit, access to arts and effective community engagement.
Membership & Organization
Members consist of individuals from the community who reflect the needs and concerns of community residents and Mandala Arts representatives. Members represent the diverse needs and interests of the communities served by Mandala Arts. They represent various ethnic, economic and cultural groups within the Mandala Arts service area.
Members consist of individuals representing multiple constituencies, such as, social services agencies, community leaders, business leaders, the faith community, advocacy groups, educators, arts advocates and the general community. The council consists of up to 20 members.
Members are recruited every two years, interviewed by a selection committee and invited to serve a two-year term. Members are expected to serve on at least one DCAC committee, with additional opportunities for community outreach and participation throughout the year.
The DCAC is selected by the Mandala and its partners such as Dance Peace, Indo-American center, Chicago Mehfil and Indira Frietas Johnson. New council members can be recommended by the DCAC itself.
Responsibilities
The council meets at least three times a year at regular intervals in Devon or online.
Council responsibilities include:
- Providing input and advice on issues of interest to the broader community.
- Identifying, reviewing and, where appropriate, making recommendations to Mandala Arts on priority social and community issues in the Devon area.
- Reviewing and providing input and advice to Mandala Arts on its efforts to meet the community’s social and cultural needs.
- Reviewing and providing input and advice on Mandala Arts initiatives to improve access to arts, arts education and direction of arts offering.
- Advocating on behalf of Mandala Arts with key constituencies in support of the Mandala Arts’s community initiatives.
- Reviewing and providing advice on issues referred to the DCAC by the Community Engagement Interns and Mandala partners.
- Referring issues on Community Engagement, as appropriate.
Sub-committee Working Groups
Each subcommittee working group primarily focuses its efforts on developing and recommending solutions to designated issues affecting populations residing in the Devon area. Additionally, each group provides critical advice to Mandala Arts regarding population cultural and community engagement strategies.
Working Groups & Areas of Focus
- Arts & Cultural Education: Working Group
- Arts Access & Engagement: Working Group
- Creative Directions: Working Group
The Mandala Arts DCAC will seek community input on creative place-making and its importance to Devon community area and surrounding communities. The group’s responsibilities will include providing input and advice to Together We Heal leadership regarding cultural and social determinant challenges. This council will facilitate discussion that will influence future decisions regarding community benefit for Together We Heal Devon Project
Benefits of Joining the DCAC:
- Learning more about the challenges of Devon
- Influencing in how Mandala improves the economic social cultural fabric of Devon
- Helping Mandala staff understand what the community needs
- Uniting a voice with other community building individuals
Requirements to be a DCAC Member:
- Regularly attend meetings and provide thoughtful feedback
- Read information sent to the DCAC to prepare for meetings
- Promote Mandala Arts in the community
- Make suggestions about your experiences with the community needs
Applications and Deadlines
To apply to be a member of the DCAC, please complete the application.
Applications for the DCAC are open year-round and will be reviewed at multiple points throughout the year, depending on how many openings there are on the DCAC for new members.
Applicants may be contacted to arrange an in-person interview with Mandala Arts staff and current DCAC members.
Thank you again for your interest in the Mandala DCAC and your choice to have a positive impact on Mandala’s Together we Heal Devon project programs and services. We deeply appreciate your commitment to Mandala Arts
Mandala is hiring for the position of Associate Executive Director (AED)
Position Summary
The Associate Executive Director (AED) is responsible for the management of Mandala’s day-to-day operations, including program development, human resources and financial management. The AED will work closely with the executive leadership and the board to accomplish Mandala’s mission of providing quality South Asian centric performing arts.
The AED develops and provides oversight of marketing strategies, goals and outcomes as well as core relationships within a portfolio of multiple foundation, governmental, corporate and private funders. The AED is required to demonstrate expansive knowledge of and experience with South Asian culture and its performing arts. The AED should have proven people management experience, leading diverse teams, demonstrate ability to work well with multiple deadlines and show flexibility to adapt to unanticipated events. S/he should exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to Mandala’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
The AED’s role also includes South Asian culture consulting. The AED will deepen relations with audiences and community members through best-in-class sales, marketing, and engagement strategies designed to drive audience development and exceed the Mandala’s overall earned revenue goals. These goals will maximize total revenue through coordinated communication, recognition, and patron engagement tactics. The AED will support all branding and communications needs for the organization, in partnership with the Executive Director (Pranita Nayar). The AED will implement strategies to expand total patron revenue by supporting philanthropic messaging and digital campaigns.
What we offer
- A competitive salary, based on experience
- Hybrid work in Chicago
- Comprehensive health insurance with benefits
- Year end bonus based on performance
Job Type: Full-time
Schedule: Flexible with weekend hours required
Experience: Management & Marketing: 3 years
Work Location: Chicago
Send your resume to info@mandalaart.org by January 15, 2023
Specific Roles & Responsibilities below:
Marketing
- Build brand awareness, engagement, adoption, and advocacy for Mandala’s mission and strategic fundraising initiatives through integrated marketing efforts.
- Lead the planning process and oversee the development of innovative, multichannel marketing plans for donor marketing efforts.
Business Development
- Lead the development and implementation of annual operational goals, strategies and project-specific plans with appropriate involvement of staff and stakeholders.
- Keep up to date with public policies, funding opportunities and strategies, with a view to identifying opportunities for the development of the organization
- Advise on matters relating to the development, promotion and implementation of Mandala’s vision and mission.
- Develop and manage effective external relationships with strategic partners and represent Mandala externally.
Financial Management
- Maintain an overview of Mandala’s financial health, leading on budgeting and forecasting and overseeing appropriate financial management and control.
- Support in compiling accurate management accounts, producing end-of-year accounts and processing financial transactions
- Oversee seasonal monitoring processes to evaluate performance against budget, review risks and issues and agree corrective actions with Project Managers/Board of Trustees.
- Devise and implement an ongoing successful income generation strategy, including preparing and submitting key fundraising bids, negotiating contracts and service level agreements with funders, and broadening income streams to support greater organizational resilience.
- Support and coordinate staff, and volunteers who are actively involved in delivering the funding strategy.
- Develop opportunities and activities to generate income through services, facilities, events and our community to sustain the organization and its key objectives.
- Supervise the preparation of suitable reports to meet the monitoring requirements of funders and provide evidence that specifications have been met.
Staff Management
- Provide strong and clear leadership of the staff team, promoting an inclusive, supportive and positive environment to work in.
- Provide support for the senior leadership team, including regular appraisals, identification of training needs and reviews of job descriptions.
- Ensure that an effective system is in place for the recruitment, management, training and development of staff that reflects the diversity of our community.
- Review the organizational structure in line with the annual objectives, making recommendations to the Board of Trustees as appropriate.
Accountability.
- Report to the Executive Director (Pranita Nayar)
Who we’re looking for:
- Excellent communication skills when working across multiple stakeholders
- Knowledge of South Asian Culture
- Knowledge of South Asian performing arts, drama, and its related history, literature and philosophy
- Bilingual in South Asian language
- Experience with managing teams and operations
- Educational background focussed on South Asia Studies. Graduate degree or above.
