Wildling Art Museum
Executive Director Position

Application Deadline: Requested by July 15, 2009
(will be considered until position filled)

Salary: Open
Employer: Wildling Art Museum
Location: Los Olivos, CA
Type: Full Time - Experienced

Museum Description

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The Wildling Art Museum is a remarkable, small museum dedicated to presenting the art of America’s wilderness. Through exhibitions and programs of exceptional quality, participants of all ages gain a greater appreciation of art and a better understanding of the importance of preserving our natural heritage. Recently relocated and expanded in the charming, small town of Los Olivos, the nine-year old museum is a growing cultural center in Santa Barbara County.

The Executive Director will:

• Work closely with the board of trustees to establish the museum's strategic direction

• Track and implement the museum's strategic plan to ensure that its strategic objectives are attained and its mission fulfilled

• Drive fundraising, working closely with the board and the development committee to secure the resources needed to support museum operations and new initiatives

• Guide the board in fulfilling its commitment to the vision set forth - both in terms of fundraising and active board leadership and participation

• Provide the artistic oversight, strategic leadership, and management expertise for the museum

• Manage museum operations, including oversight of all curatorial, development, education, external relations, finance, and staff

• Define the scope and direction of exhibition programming, set interpretive goals, and articulate objectives for the continued development of programming, educational, and outreach initiatives

• Drive budget development and manage/monitor the financial and operational condition of the museum

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the museum’s history, culture, staff, finances, operations, programming, and base of financial support

• Manage, motivate, inspire, and work closely with a small staff

•Serve as an effective spokesperson for the museum and write for publication

• Evaluate the museum’s programming and provide direction for exhibitions, programs, and educational outreach that will appeal to an increasingly broad audience

• Develop compelling ways to promote the museum's activities and increase its membership


Requirements

The ideal candidate will have proven ability to be a leader and advocate for the museum and its mission throughout the region with a strong ability to maintain and expand the museum’s capacity and opportunities. Critical requirements for the director include:

•Success at building a comparable institution into a leader in its region

• Demonstrated ability to raise funds through identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major donors and other sources of revenue

• Competence, ease, and experience handling multiple revenue streams and budgets along with success and creativity in developing earned income opportunities

• Demonstrated management and leadership responsibility in a museum or associated institution

• Proven success managing people and operations with an ability to attract, motivate, mentor and retain staff; demonstrated ability to forge effective relationships with board members, cultural leaders, and people at all levels; a proven track record as a team builder who can delegate and empower

• Experience in monitoring and strengthening finances and budgeting processes

•Demonstrated ability to plan and operate strategically; demonstrated ability to move from strategic plan to action; able to focus and engage board and staff in clarifying goals and implementing a plan

• Experience in creating successful exhibitions and programming that further establish the museum’s reputation for quality programming; a commitment to art and wilderness education; and an enthusiasm for cultivating converts to appreciate and preserve art and nature.

• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, with the presence and credibility to serve as an effective spokesperson for the museum and to write for publication and prepare grant proposals

• A master’s or a PhD in art history or an appropriate discipline, coupled with a significant level of education or experience in management

• Connections to a regional and national network of artists and arts professionals that can be called upon to enhance programmatic excellence


Salary/Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Applications are requested by July 15, 2009 but will be considered until the position is filled.

Please send a resume, a completed application for employment, and a letter (not to exceed 2 pages) describing your qualifications to meet the position requirements as described above. The museum mailing address is P.O. Box 907, Los Olivos, CA 93441-0907.

The Wildling Art Museum came into being through the inspiration of Santa Barbara artist, Patti Jacquemain. With the support of others who shared her vision, the museum became a nonprofit corporation in 1997 and opened to the public in spring 2000. The museum began to exhibit the work of significant artists in the historic Keenan-Hartley House in the charming town of Los Olivos located in north Santa Barbara County in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley wine country. Memberships and community involvement grew quickly. Consequently, the museum’s board of directors recognized the need to seek a more permanent and larger home for the museum. With community support, the museum recently moved to its current location in Los Olivos where it is much more accessible to visitors and provides a larger space for exhibitions and diverse programs.

With its unique mission, the museum is now poised for far greater growth and an even more prominent role in Santa Barbara County and the region. The founder’s vision of an art museum dedicated to presenting the art of America’s wilderness to foster a better appreciation of art and an understanding of the importance of preserving our country’s natural heritage has flourished at the Wildling. The museum now seeks a dynamic and creative director who will embrace its mission and advance its community support by engaging and inspiring audiences with the highest quality programs and exhibitions.