The Ackland Art Museum, founded in 1958 at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was established as a comprehensive museum open to art from all cultures and time periods. It holds an outstanding permanent collection of more than 17,000 works of art, featuring North Carolina’s premier collections of Asian art; one of the region’s most important public collections of works on paper (drawings, photographs, and notable prints); and significant collections of twentieth-century and contemporary art, European and American painting and sculpture, African art, and North Carolina pottery.

A dynamic curatorial program oversees the care and presentation of the collection, as well as ongoing scholarly research. The Ackland organizes more than a dozen special exhibitions per year. Curators and guest scholars organize exhibitions and programs, some of which travel to museums across the country, while a digitization project provides university, local, regional, and global audiences with online access to the entire collection. Recent temporary exhibitions have included “The New Found Land”: Engravings by Theodor de Bry from the Collection of Michael N. Joyner” (2014); Thornton Dial: Thoughts on Paper (2012); A Season of Japan (2012); Carolina Collects: Modern and Contemporary Art from Alumni Collections (2011); and DeNatured: German Art from Joseph Beuys to Martin Kippenberger (2010). The Ackland has an active publication program. The Ackland’s National Advisory Board and Academic Advisory Board promote and support the museum and provide input on its strategic directions and programs.

The Ackland finds its greatest strength in its university environment as a resource to engage both university and non-university audiences. The Museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, and present great art to educate, inspire, and engage the University and its regional, national, and international audiences in free and open inquiry. The Ackland Art Museum cultivates an active education program and, in support of the University’s commitment to the strongest academic experience for its students, the Museum collaborates with faculty in the art department and 24 other departments across the University to serve the curricular needs of 11,000 UNC students each year. Programs for University students include “Encounter Art” Tours, which are conversational, led by an Ackland student guide, and focus on selected works from the Ackland’s permanent collection. The Study Gallery provides a unique environment for faculty and students to hold classes and interact with works of art, and an active volunteer docent program provides tours for K–12 students and teachers that are tailored to fit specific class and curriculum needs. The Ackland welcomes approximately 55,000 visitors per year and provides teacher training and educational programs to 5,000 K–12 students and teachers annually. The Museum is free of charge to visitors, and offers a wide selection of events related to exhibition, community, and university topics.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

The Director will be encouraged to undertake new initiatives to infuse the Ackland with vision, energy, and excitement that build on the collection, exhibition, and program strengths. The Director will find willing collaborators on the staff and on campus eager to explore new approaches in teaching and learning, as well as creative applications of technology to advance the Museum’s mission.

To build audiences and awareness for the Ackland, the Director and the staff will continue to develop and promote the Museum’s strong curatorial perspective and educational philosophy, positioning the Ackland as innovative, accessible, connected to, and engaged with the UNC community and external constituencies locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Like many cultural organizations, the Ackland is challenged by current and projected financial realities. The Director, in partnership with the University and the Museum’s National Advisory Board, will lead the effort to develop new sources of funding and revenue.

The Director will help solve the limitations of the Museum’s building and will position the Museum so that it has a prominent place in the University’s capital campaign.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking an energetic and entrepreneurial leader to direct the Ackland Art Museum with strong grounding in the histories of art, museum management, and faculty and student engagement. The Director, reporting to the Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives, should bring vitality and direction to the Museum; working with the National Advisory Board, Academic Advisory Board, University administration, Ackland staff, faculty, and external partners to enhance the Museum’s artistic, aesthetic, and educational mission; to augment its financial resources; and to develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans. The Director must be creative and passionate in his/her approach to art and be highly regarded by his/her peers in the museum world. The Director must be able to articulate a strategic vision for the Museum. The Director should possess demonstrated skills in fundraising, financial management, audience development, and decision-making. The Director serves as the organization’s spokesperson to all constituencies, both external and internal, increasing awareness of the Museum by clearly articulating the Museum’s ambitious goals and programs. The new Director will help define the future of this unique and exciting organization.

Job Requirements
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide outstanding visionary leadership and innovation in the Ackland’s advancement of collections, exhibitions and educational programs in support of the University’s teaching, research and public service missions. The Director oversees stewardship of the museum’s collection.
Identify and implement opportunities to expand the Museum’s reputation both regionally, nationally and internationally; oversee the development and implementation of an ambitious and extensive exhibition and program schedule.
Identify, cultivate, and generate significant financial support for the Ackland’s short- and long-term development plans; expand ties to the philanthropic, political, university, and civic community; actively seek private gifts and public and private grants.
Work closely with museum staff, faculty, University Advancement, members of the Ackland National Advisory Board, and others to identify and gather the resources needed to fulfill the Ackland’s mission and strategic priorities, including support for exhibitions and programs, research, capital projects, and endowments.
Promote sound financial management of the Museum and its programs, promoting its financial well-being and economic stability; oversee budget preparation, promote best fiscal practices, financial analyses, and the operation of the Ackland Museum Store.
Prepare and transmit to the Vice Provost an annual budget and annual assessments of the Museum’s and Director’s accomplishments.
Establish and nurture partnerships with public and private organizations and individuals to further the Museum’s mission and goals, always with attention to the inclusion of diverse constituencies.
Provide dynamic community leadership to enhance the visibility of the Ackland and its reputation as an exceptional cultural, economic, civic, and university resource and to bring the pleasure and meaning of great art to all segments of the community.
Supervise employees, set priorities, cultivate teamwork and open communication, promote diversity, foster a culture of scholarly engagement and service, evaluate performance, and provide opportunities for recognition, training, and professional development.
Empower staff and ensure that it is a cohesive team who are all working in the same direction and willing to share new ideas and try to solve old problems in new ways.
Maintain an organizational culture that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse and highly qualified staff and corps of volunteers. Promote a culture of excellence in all Ackland activities throughout the institution.
QUALIFICATIONS:

Seven to ten years of increasing responsibility in a museum of significant size with the past five years in a senior position; a demonstrated record of accomplishment. A minimum of a master’s degree is required with a doctorate preferred;
A deep understanding of the role of the visual arts in university education and community life and policies, and procedures typical of major public research universities;
Ability to garner the support of volunteers and recognize their contributions;
Strong managerial, fiscal, and administrative abilities;
Ability to lead dynamically, passionately, and energetically; and to manage, position, market, and develop an organization;
Experience in expanding a museum’s role within the community;
Understanding of and commitment to the research mission of a university art museum
Proven fundraising experience and success
Ability to articulate the Ackland’s needs for short- and long-term capital and annual fund development;
Ability to build on the relationship with the University by working closely and effectively with the Provost’s and Chancellor’s offices and with faculty members;
Experience in working with community-wide cultural and educational institutions and a desire to create partnerships throughout the community and in the region;
Ability to work in politically sensitive situations;
Ability to communicate in a simple but persuasive manner and to present and represent the Ackland Art Museum to internal and external constituencies;
A good speaker, writer, and strategic thinker who is as comfortable with artists and students as he/she is with donors;
A reputation for the highest level of integrity and credibility.
The new Director must be a bold, experienced, entrepreneurial, and visionary thought leader with the drive, focus, and energy to highlight, develop, and expand the Ackland’s areas of strength while addressing areas of weakness. The new Director should be engaging, approachable, scholarly, and committed to making art accessible to all constituencies; understand and appreciate the diversity of university and community disciplines, professions, and interests; and be able to build cohesive, well-functioning teams.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a comprehensive research university offering the highest academic quality and a culture of achievement and collaboration. Chartered in 1789, UNC-Chapel Hill is the oldest public university in the United States. The University enrolls 29,135 students, and is ranked in the top five public national universities by U.S. News and World Report. The University offers 78 baccalaureate, 112 master’s, 68 doctoral, and seven professional degree programs through its 14 schools and the College of Arts and Sciences. The William and Ida Friday Center serves adult learners through credit and noncredit course offerings. The University is situated in the vibrant Town of Chapel Hill in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina.

COMPENSATION:

The position will offer a competitive salary and benefit package.

START DATE:

Summer 2015

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION:

Send resume and cover letter indicating interest, qualifications, and list of three references to:

Diane Frankel/ Linda Sweet
Management Consultants for the Arts
Box Ackland
65 High Ridge Road # 128
Stamford, CT 06905

Email to: Mcawall2@gmail.com (preferred)

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Contact Person: Diane Frankel or Linda Sweet
Email Address: MCAWall2@gmail.com
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