Executive Director [Danforth Art]

Danforth Art in Framingham, Massachusetts, is seeking an executive director to lead this vital and highly regarded cultural and educational resource to new levels of growth. A capital campaign and move into a new home on historic Framingham Centre Common are planned. More information about Danforth Art is here: http://www.danforthart.org/.

POSITION

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.

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.

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; establish and maintain productive relationships with existing donors and provide leadership for major gift cultivation and solicitation; develop new earned income opportunities from membership programs and special events, as well as expanded course offerings in the school.

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; 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; continue Danforth’s productive relationships with regional artists and the press.

Operations and Administration – Oversee Danforth Art’s fiscal soundness; 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.

THE MUSEUM AND SCHOOL

Established 40 years ago by a local group of educators, business people, artists and art lovers, the Danforth has become a vital and highly regarded regional cultural resource, providing vibrant exhibits and educational experiences in the visual arts. Danforth Art engages the public through its 3500-piece collection of American art, changing exhibits of contemporary artists, 500 classes and workshops for children and adults in the School, and a variety of community outreach programs.

The Danforth operates with an annual budget of $1.5 million budget, 30 Board members, and 14 full-time and 6-7 part-time employees, plus approximately 40 art teachers.

LOCATION

Twenty miles west of Boston, Framingham enjoys easy access to metropolitan resources while experiencing a vibrant cultural renaissance of its own. Danforth Art is presently located in the heart of downtown Framingham, a developing mixed-use center. The Jonathan Maynard building, the future home of Danforth, is located on the Framingham Centre Common, the original town green and center of the historic district.

Framingham is the center of the MetroWest area of Boston, a region roughly comprised of the communities bounded by Route 2 on the north, Route 128 on the east, Route 95 on the south, and Route 495 on the west. This includes a broad and diverse set of communities ranging from Carlisle and Sherborn to Westborough and Waltham. Most of the highest income communities in Massachusetts are clustered in MetroWest, including Weston, Dover, Sherborn, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley, Lincoln, Southborough and Concord. While each town has its own unique charms and history, the quality of life in most is uniformly high with successful educational systems; amenities such as restaurants, cinemas and community theatres; and artist collaboratives and galleries.

Qualifications and Characteristics

At least 7 years senior level experience within a visual arts organization is required; advanced degree in a relevant field is strongly preferred.  Demonstrated success in donor cultivation and solicitation with previous capital campaign experience is preferred, as is previous experience with facility renovation and relocation. Must have vision and leadership skills, deep familiarity with the visual arts and living artists, programmatic creativity, financial acumen and enthusiasm for leading Danforth Art to new levels of growth.

Address inquiries and recommendations in confidence,
to the retained search consultants (e-mails preferred).

Freda Mindlin or Ruth Loomis
Opportunity Resources Inc.
196 East 75th Street, Suite 14H
New York, NY 10021* (212) 744-4409
search@opportunityresources.net * www.opportunityresources.net