Description

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) promotes the transformative power of art and art making.  PAFA will inspire the future of American art by creating, challenging, cultivating, and celebrating excellence in the fine arts.

Through the rare combination of its spectacular galleries, its internationally known school of fine arts, and thriving public programs, PAFA strives to provide students and visitors alike with a dynamic experience and an impressive history.  https://www.pafa.org/about

PAFA’s museum https://www.pafa.org/museum is renowned for its collections of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings, sculptures, works on paper and its practice of acquiring work from among its graduates to build what has become an impressive collection of significant pieces over time.  Though founded in 1805 as the United States’ oldest and first art museum and art school, PAFA is deeply committed to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art as well as connecting the contemporary artists’ work to the artists who preceded them.

The past twelve years have seen a balanced budget alongside dramatic growth at PAFA.  At the Museum, new talent has been added to a dedicated curatorial team; education and public programs have diversified and increased their reach three-fold; exhibitions originated and traveled by PAFA have become the backbone of the exhibition program, rather than the exception; major market press, including multiple New York Times articles annually, has become the norm; School and Museum activities are cooperative and each continues to seek opportunities for partnership; collecting committees have expanded and the return to aggressively collecting contemporary art has been embraced, establishing a welcome and ambitious home for Philadelphia’s contemporary collecting community that its larger or non-collecting peers do not occupy.

The Director of the Museum reports to the PAFA President & CEO and will be an inspiring, energetic, and collaborative leader motivated by the Museum’s unique mandate, collection and programs, to position PAFA as a field leader in American Art while fully embracing the Museum’s contribution to PAFA’s integrated educational mission.  The Director will provide creative and administrative leadership in the conception, development, and implementation of the Museum’s artistic and public programs and Campus Master Plan.  https://www.pafa.org/restoring-pafas-historic-landmark-building

In addition, the Director will represent PAFA’s interests to the public and embrace a leadership role in the arts and cultural community in the City of Philadelphia and beyond.  S/He will play a leadership role in fundraising, working closely with PAFA’s development team to secure the resources needed to support ongoing museum exhibitions, education programs, initiatives, and operations.  The Director will lead curators in fostering PAFA’s national network of American art collectors and artists, and will be PAFA’s representative to the American Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD).  The Director will work in partnership with members of PAFA’s senior management team – in academic programs, finance, human resources, development, marketing, and communications – to develop a strategic approach that is in concert with PAFA’s overall goals as an educational institution.

PAFA’s new Center for the Study of the American Artist houses PAFA’s Archives, art works on paper collection, rare books, and Fine Arts Library, and will promote the understanding and appreciation of American fine art from the colonial era to the present.  Building on programs that began in 1805, the Center will offer improved access to outside scholars and an unparalleled art history resource for PAFA students, underscoring PAFA’s ongoing commitment and contribution to field scholarship.

PAFA’s operating budget for both school and museum is nearly $20 million and there is an endowment of $35 million for operations.  The Museum has a full time program staff and an operating budget of

$6 million, approximately $2.5 million of which is raised annually.  A recent acquisition endowment of $30 million established to purchase art generates over $1.5 million a year.  Half of the annual funds available for art acquisition are dedicated to contemporary art.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director is charged with the following:

  • As leader and team player, propel PAFA regionally, nationally and internationally as a dynamic center for American art, artists, collecting and programming; inspire and engage staff, trustees, students, collectors, donors, and the public in PAFA’s ambitions and activities;
  • In partnership with the Executive Vice President of Development, identify, cultivate, and secure financial support for the Museum in the form of exhibition support, annual gifts, and capital support; identify, cultivate and steward new donors;
  • In conjunction with the President, hone and lead in the implementation the Museum’s 2013-2018 five year strategic plan;
  • Develop and oversee programming — exhibitions, symposia, and cultural activities — that will diversify and enhance the profile, contribution and reach of the Museum;
  • Implement and refine plans for acquisitions to continue to strategically build PAFA’s permanent collection;
  • Work with and staff the board’s Exhibitions Committee, and supervise all aspects of the Museum’s exhibitions; work with and staff the board’s Collections Committee, Community Education Committee and supervise the programming, planning and management of all aspects of PAFA’s collection;
  • In concert with the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, create and actively participate in activities that build audience, visibility, membership and support for PAFA;  oversee and develop strategies vis-à-vis Museum membership and admissions;
  • Work with the Dean and faculty in continuing to enhance ties between the School and the Museum, recognizing that the partnership enriches each and distinguishes PAFA as a whole; represent the Museum and the Academy at public, social and government events;
  • In consultation with the CFO, supervise all aspects of the financial operation of the Museum and ensure its financial health and long term sustainability.
Requirements

IDEAL CHARACTERISTICS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal Director will be or have the following:

  • Passionate about the arts and American contemporary art in particular; possess a record of respected intellectual and curatorial achievement, with demonstrable success cultivating relationships with, and building bridges among, diverse constituencies; a dedication to learning, intellectual curiosity and leadership;
  • Possess seven to ten years of museum experience, with progressive responsibilities, including direct experience with curatorial and exhibition planning, education programming, operations, personnel, fundraising, public practice and/or marketing, and budget management;
  • Hold an advanced degree in Art History, Studio Art, or relevant field, Ph.D., M.F.A., or terminal degree preferred; hands on experience with contemporary works and collectors preferred;
  • Effective and articulate communicator in person, in print, and through exhibitions as well as strong interpersonal skills; access to national and international networks of artists and professionals who can be called upon on PAFA’s behalf;
  • Possess the ability to establish credibility with the faculty and relate intellectually with a wide range of disciplines; a demonstrated achievement in teambuilding through attracting, motivating, and managing a talented staff and working effectively with peers.
Job Information
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19019, United States
  • 29819999
  • August 5, 2016
  • Edna S. Tuttleman Director of the Museum
  • Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
  • Directors/Administrators
  • Full-Time
  • Indefinite
  • Master’s Degree
  • 7-10 Years