"Assistant Director, Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (RCCE)"

Assistant Director, Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (RCCE)

Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)

Full-Time | Exempt | On-Site/Hybrid | Grade 7

Position Overview

The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Assistant Director of Creative Entrepreneurship to lead key creative commerce initiatives within the Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (RCCE). This role focuses on building pathways for MICA students and alumni to engage meaningfully in the creative economy through public art markets, e-commerce platforms, pop-up experiences, and entrepreneurial development programs.

The Assistant Director will be a collaborative partner in shaping and scaling RCCE’s impact—supporting artist-led ventures, managing flagship public events, and delivering innovative resources that prepare creatives to thrive in marketplace and community settings.

About RCCE

The Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship is a campus-wide hub that empowers artists and designers to turn their ideas into real-world ventures. A key part of MICA’s academic and innovation ecosystem, the RCCE supports student success through programs like the Art Market, the UP/Start Venture Competition, and CEINNOV Lab—incubating early-stage creative projects into viable businesses. RCCE is supported by the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation and housed within MICA’s Open Studies division.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, recruitment, execution, and operations of MICA’s Art Markets—multi-day public events held annually during the holiday season and ArtScape.
• Manage logistics and coordination for RCCE’s signature events, including the RCCE National Conference, the UP/Start Venture Competition Finale, and other public-facing programs.
• Research, develop, and launch a MICA-branded e-commerce platform for student and alumni art/product sales; support pop-up retail initiatives in partnership with the MICA Store.
• Oversee CEINNOV Lab launch events, aimed at helping students develop and test minimum viable products (MVPs).
• Design and deliver workshops, advising, and classroom-based learning opportunities that equip creatives with skills in entrepreneurship, marketing, and retail.
• Serve as a liaison to curricular pop-up markets and help design a student-accessible makerspace for venture development.
• Coordinate assessments, surveys, and data collection (via Startup Tree) to track program impact and guide reporting.
• Support and advise the student-led Creative Entrepreneurship Club.
• Collaborate with RCCE faculty and staff on grant-funded course support and related entrepreneurship programming.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of relevant administrative experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year of administrative experience.
• Demonstrated experience in art/product sales, both in-person and online.
• Experience in event planning and coordination, including vendor or artist-facing logistics.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and experience working across diverse communities.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends during major events such as Art Market and UP/Start.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign, Microsoft Office, and digital content platforms.
• Experience in an art and design educational environment or creative industry.
• Background in start-ups, entrepreneurship, or makerspace development.
• Experience with academic/curricular integration or advising college students.
• Supervisory experience is a plus.

Conditions of Employment:

Final candidate will be required to successfully complete a full background check.

Why Join MICA?

• Play a vital role in one of the nation’s leading creative entrepreneurship centers
• Lead high-impact, public-facing programs that elevate artists and designers
• Join a collaborative, equity-driven, and innovative campus culture
• Competitive salary and benefits package

Apply Now