OPPORTUNITY RESOURCES INC. Freda Mindlin 196 East 75 th Street President Suite 14H New York, NY 10021 TEL: 212-744-4409 FAX: 212-744-5004 [email protected] POSITION DESCRIPTION AND IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE POSITION: Executive Director CLIENT: Danforth Art LOCATION: Framingham, Massachusetts BACKGROUND Danforth Art is seeking a dynamic, visionary and entrepreneurial executive director to lead the organization through its next phase which will include a capital campaign and a move into a new home in the Jonathan Maynard Building on historic Framingham Centre Common. Established in 1975 by a local group of educators, business people, artists and art lovers, the Danforth Museum of Art, now called Danforth Art, has grown to become a vital and highly regarded regional cultural resource. Located in Framingham, Massachusetts, 20 miles west of Boston, Danforth Art, a museum and school, provides vibrant exhibits and educational experiences in the visual arts. Danforth Art engages the public through its collection of American art, changing exhibits of contemporary artists, classes and workshops in the School, and a variety of community outreach programs. While Danforth Art’s collection of American art ranges from the 18th Century to present day, the museum currently focuses on showing the very best examples of contemporary art by both emerging and established artists primarily in New England, as well as exploring in depth Boston Expressionism. Their compelling exhibitions – more than 25 each year – and permanent collection of over 3,500 works of art offer countless opportunities for all ages to explore a range of media and artistic forms of expression. Danforth Art’s school offers more than 500 studio art courses and workshops to children and adults each year. K-12 students enjoy both after-school and weekend programming, as well as school vacation and summer workshops. The Danforth also partners with area colleges and local public schools to provide professional development training for art teachers as well as offering a professional artist series to practicing artists. Danforth Art Page 2 The Danforth operates on a $1.5 million budget, derived mostly from private contributions and earned revenue from the school, and has 14 full-time and 6-7 part-time employees, plus approximately 40 art teachers. The Board of Trustees numbers close to 30 members, who bring a variety of backgrounds and a shared passion for the mission and success of the Danforth. THE POSITION Reporting Relationships/Primary Responsibilities The Executive Director reports to the Board through the Board’s Co-Chairs and works in tandem with the Board to define and implement Danforth Art’s strategic direction. She/he will serve ex officio on Board committees. Direct reports to the Executive Director include the heads of the four key functional areas: curatorial, education, development and marketing, and finance and administration. She/he will lead a devoted, professional team to ensure the success, reach and impact of Danforth Art. The Executive Director’s primary responsibilities are to provide Danforth Art with artistic vision, strategic direction and overall management, including: fundraising, collections, exhibits and programs, education, and physical, financial and human resources. The Executive Director will be Danforth’s public face and ambassador. She/he will build productive, collegial relationships with donors and art patrons, collectors, artists, volunteers and other cultural institutions within the wider region and nationally. In addition, the Executive Director will, with the Board, staff and outside counsel, plan and implement a capital campaign for the renovation of its new facility, oversee the actual renovations, and ensure a timely and successful move to the new facility. This is a unique opportunity for the right individual. Immediate Priorities During the first several months of the Executive Director’s tenure she/he will focus on learning every aspect of Danforth Art’s organization, programs, finances, collections, fundraising and facilities. She/he will supervise and support a highly professional staff, and will encourage or introduce best practices with regard to overall management, exhibitions and collections, and development. She/he will develop effective working relationships with Trustees and Overseers. She/he will also suggest initiatives that build on Danforth Art’s reputation and that will increase its visibility and contributed and earned income. She/he will, with the staff and Board, guide the process of strategic planning, with a key near-term goal of agreement on the plans for the new building and corresponding capital campaign. With the Board’s assistance she/he will also become familiar and engage with the organization’s stakeholders, such as its patrons, volunteers, funders and key officials from Framingham State University, Framingham and surrounding towns. Danforth Art Page 3 Ongoing Responsibilities • Revenue Growth With the Director of Development and the Board, develop fundraising strategies to expand the regional philanthropic community’s awareness of Danforth Art; cultivate and solicit new funding sources, including individual, corporate, government and foundations; establish and maintain productive relationships with existing donors and provide leadership for major gift cultivation and solicitation. Work with appropriate staff to develop new earned income opportunities from membership programs and special events, as well as expanded course offerings in the school. Continue to define and expand Danforth’s audiences and develop strategies for engaging these various communities. • Oversight of Exhibition and Education Programs With the Curatorial and Education staff, build on the success of Danforth’s exhibition and education programs to broaden the content and reach of the exhibition and public programming that will increase audiences and enhance the visitor experience. Provide ongoing leadership and guidance for Danforth’s artistic vision. Ensure an ongoing schedule of engaging exhibitions and programs. Cultivate relationships with museums and other suitable entities for loans and traveling exhibitions. • Governance Foster open and transparent communications with Trustees and staff and enhance a collaborative culture. Ensure that responsibilities, accountability and authority are clearly defined and delegated. • Communications and Public Relations Actively and visibly participate in community functions and in the greater region’s cultural life; serve on appropriate community, regional and national boards. Ensure that marketing and communications strategies, including branding initiatives, strengthen Danforth Art’s identity and positioning. Maintain frequent communication with Board and staff regarding plans for new initiatives; ensure a positive organizational structure. Continue Danforth’s productive relationships with regional artists and the press. Danforth Art Page 4 • Operations and Administration Oversee Danforth Art’s fiscal soundness; work closely with the Director of Finance and Operations in the preparation of annual operating budgets; monitor income and expenses and oversee monthly financial reports for Board review. Ensure that Danforth Art is appropriately and effectively managed, structured and staffed. Promote and maintain practices that encourage open communication, cooperation, satisfaction and teamwork among staff and ensure they have the support and information they need to make sound decisions. Mentor and manage staff to assure optimal performance. Conduct staff evaluations annually or more often, as needed. Serve as key contact between the Board and staff. Ideal Qualifications and Characteristics The Executive Director will play a critical role in every aspect of Danforth Art’s future direction and success as an important and highly regarded cultural venue and in its development as a financially secure organization. We seek an individual who will combine managerial savvy and artistic perception. She/he will have at least seven years senior level experience within a visual arts organization; advanced degree in a relevant field is strongly preferred. Among the most important qualities the successful candidate must have are vision and leadership skills, deep familiarity with the visual arts, programmatic creativity, financial acumen and enthusiasm for leading Danforth Art to new levels of growth. In addition, the following are highly desired: • Passion for the visual arts • Mature, confident and courageous decision-maker • Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation and solicitation; previous experience with a capital campaign preferred • Evidence of successful leadership through strong and persuasive interpersonal skills with staff, Board, patrons and community • Previous experience with facility renovation and relocation preferred • Financial savvy; experience developing institutional budgets and forecasting long-range outcomes • Demonstrated ability to think strategically and experience with long term planning • Ability to review and analyze complex issues, evaluate solutions and adopt an effective course of action Danforth Art Page 5 • Ability to build trust and confidence among staff, Board and patrons • Comfortable receiving input from many sources, a collaborative spirit and equally at ease as a leader or team member • Experience leading a devoted staff and ensuring a work environment that is collegial and respectful • A management style that is team-oriented and proactive