Peninsula School of Art Hiring for Executive Director at Fish Creek, WI Full Time

The Peninsula School of Art (PenArt) is an arts education and exhibition center founded in 1965. As the preeminent school of its kind, beginning artists and established professionals can work together to create art in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and metal smithing. PenArt provides equitable access to the visual arts, gallery exhibits, affordable classes and workshops, scholarships, free public programming, and community events. More information about PenArt can be found at: https://www.peninsulaschoolofart.org

Current Circumstances

There is an alignment of circumstances and potential that add up to a compelling visionary direction for PenArt going forward. Our organization has grown and prospered during the twenty-year tenure of our previous Executive Director, Cathy Hoke. After two decades in this role, Ms. Hoke has decided to seek other opportunities. She is leaving a healthy organization well positioned to transition to the next generation of leadership. Our modern facilities support a rich array of programs for skilled and visiting artists, for beginning artists, developing artists and for children, a plein air festival with an international audience, and many others. This, together with our credibility as a valued and trusted partner in our community, are a foundation for what we do next.

In preparing for this transition, the board has weighed what PenArt has to offer to a visionary leader, who will both secure our position as a prime destination and realize our potential as an engine for growth. Our outgoing Executive Director’s long tenure and the steady, incremental improvements she has instituted have put us on a very solid footing. The Board has fully supported this, with thoughtful overall governance, fiduciary vigilance, and as active volunteers.

Looking forward, our realization is that for PenArt to continue on its path as both as regional center and major destination for the arts, a new model is needed. We need a strategic, growth oriented Executive Director. The Board needs to partner with this person, so it is aligned with this ambitious agenda. We expect this means orienting the board to focus on strategy and resource development, in a collaborative relationship with an empowered Executive Director. We are intent on working in partnership with our new Executive Director to continue to identify potential board members with strong development experience, who are philanthropists, thought leaders and experts in disciplines relevant to the strategic agenda we shape together.

We are also fortunate to have a skilled, professional, hardworking, and dedicated staff who are ready to evolve with this strategic direction.

We envision the new Executive Director as focused on strategy, fund raising, innovation, program development and board and staff development. We expect the Executive Director will need to support and fortify the staff, to assure continued, effective operational performance.

Door County is on a peninsula extending into Lake Michigan and is one of the most beautiful venues in the Midwest, often compared to Martha’s Vineyard. We are known for being a highly connected and engaged community of both seasonal and year around multi-generational families; we also sport a rapidly growing population of second homes for people of means from throughout the country. The expansion in year-round tourism has stimulated community growth and services. PenArt is very well situated to contribute to and benefit from this environment, and to attract the support needed to build the programs and infrastructure necessary to be the destination for a regional, national, and international audience.

We have a precious opportunity in this transition, that will not come again. We have reaffirmed our vision and mission and have a strategic plan in place. Our programs for FY23 are fully developed and subscribed. The new Executive Director will have up to a year to focus on learning, connecting with our community and, in collaboration with the board and staff, to continue, enhance or reshape our strategic agenda.

Qualifications

Peninsula School of Art is seeking an Executive Director with the vision and skills to help us fully realize our mission of providing enriching, educational experiences and to foster a community dedicated to the transformative power of the visual arts. The Executive Director will be a leader with extraordinary vision who is able to realize that vision through a rich interaction with the Board, staff, community members, supporters, volunteers, and those who are served by the organization. The Executive Director must have a value set consistent with a culture that is based upon respect, collaboration, high ethical standards, and a passion for art and creativity.

The Executive Director must have the skills to assure that PenArt programs are responsive to the dynamic environment and changing needs of those it serves, and that the methods and resources employed reflect best practices. A minimum of 5 plus years’ experience in a senior leadership role, or its equivalent, is required. An advanced degree in management, arts administration, community development, or other related disciplines is a plus.

Specific skills and commitments required of the PenArt Executive Director include:

Leadership: Commands respect for his or her character and values. Is well connected and has extensive experience working with local, regional, or national governmental, educational, policymaking and grant making institutions and leaders. Can inspire others and engage in collaborative leadership.

Vision: Has a clear capacity for advancing opportunities for PenArt and for using the resources of the Board, staff, volunteers, funders, policymakers, citizens, activists, and the media to realize this vision.

Fundraising: Skilled as a fundraiser and capable and comfortable in the role of lead fundraiser for the organization. Has a proven track record of garnering significant resources and maintaining strong relationships with funders and donors.

Management Skills: Possesses a proven track record managing staff, finances and a complex organization in a manner that is progressive, fair, and consistent. Experienced in program development and implementation and skilled at building and growing an organization.

Communication Skills: Is an effective marketer, who can promote the qualities and potential of PenArt to a broad audience. Demonstrates superior verbal and written communication skills and can serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization, while directing and inspiring Board leaders, program directors and volunteers to effectively represent the organization in their areas of expertise.

Interpersonal Skills: Is well grounded in techniques and skills of listening, providing feedback, catalyzing learning, and creative activity, promoting respect, and setting limits.

Knowledge/Understanding: Has a sophisticated understanding of the political, cultural, social, technological, and educational issues confronting contemporary art and has a strong understanding of the landscape of change and opportunity in this field.

Organizational Skills: Is creative and imaginative. Has a proven ability to attract outstanding and diverse talent. Is resilient, decisive, and can stick to a plan and lead it through to completion. Is skilled at appropriately assigning responsibility and authority.

Diversity: Is a skilled practitioner in issues of power, oppression, and cultural sensitivity; embraces diversity of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, and sexual orientation; and has a demonstrated track record of developing and reinforcing an anti-oppression lens in the external and internal work of the organization.

Application

PenArt is an equal opportunity employer. All candidates will be evaluated on a merit basis. Compensation is negotiable, depending on qualifications and experience. Serious candidates will be offered an open discussion about compensation early in their conversation with us.

Our consultant, Ted Ford Webb, will welcome inquiries from those who would like to explore this opportunity in more detail. He can be reached at the email address below.

Resumes and a cover letter may be submitted, in confidence, to:

Ford Webb Associates, Inc.

60 Thoreau Street

Concord, MA 01742

Or

[email protected]