Executive Director [Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, CA]

Description

The Santa Barbara County Arts Commission is seeking an Executive Director.  This critical role is responsible for developing and promoting visual and performing arts, and cultural affairs as integral parts of local government. We are seeking a dynamic, innovative and supportive leader to oversee contracts for arts services and cultural affairs activities for the County and City of Santa Barbara.

THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION

Formed in 1977, the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission is a 15 member County Commission appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, with three members from each of the five supervisorial districts who make recommendations to the Board on cultural arts policy. The Arts Commission serves as an umbrella for county arts projects, assists communities in raising funds for art programs and provides technical assistance and coordination to arts organizations, artists and local government. The Santa Barbara County Arts Commission is the regional cultural development agency, a State and Local Partner of the California Arts Council and manager of the County Percent for Art Program.  Additionally, through an agreement with the City of Santa Barbara Arts Commission, staff provides support for the City Arts Advisory and Visual Art in Public Places (VAPP) Committee’s, cultural district events promotion including exhibitions in the City Hall Gallery and Jardin de las Granadas. To learn more about the commission, please visit: http://www.sbartscommission.org.

THE POSITION:

This position reports to the Community Service Department Director and has a dotted-reporting line to the Board of Supervisors through the appointed County Arts Commission, and to the Santa Barbara City Council through the City Administrator’s Office.

This position will:

Communications / Relationship Development / Community Presentations

• Be politically savvy to navigate a diverse group of stakeholders with varying interests.
• Promote and advocate for County and City art projects.
• Be an effective communicator, negotiator, and relationship builder
• Develop relationships with business, philanthropic and educational sectors.
• Strengthen the role of arts and culture in the County.
• Attend meetings with the community, City and County.
• Be an exceptional public speaker and presenter, and present in public regularly.
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports and correspondences.

Leadership / Interpersonal

• Be a strategic thinker and creative problem solver.
• Develop the division’s short- and long-range work plans.
• Engage, motivate, and inspire diverse constituencies and staff.
• Plan and direct the activities of staff including hiring, training, and setting and evaluating performance.
• Be passionate and committed about the work we do and its impact on communities.

Business Acumen/ Budgets / Administration

• Oversee the work of staff that develop and administer contracts and who work closely with grantees, artists and the community.
• Formulate and implement programs, guidelines, and policies and division goals.
• Manage re-granting programs with funds from various groups and individuals.
• Develop and administer the division’s $750,000 budget, and effectively monitor revenues and expenditures.
• Prepare grants and solicit public and private financial support for division programs.

Arts Commission Administration / Art Programs and Outreach

• Provide administrative support to the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission and the Santa Barbara City Arts Advisory Committee.
• Administer both the County and City of Santa Barbara’s public art programs.
• Steer the overall work objectives of the Public Arts Program including project administration, coordination with artists, strategic planning and community outreach.
• Develop overall arts master plan including public art policy, program guidelines and principles.
• Analyze and evaluate management reports and programs to determine the need for new or modified programs and goals.
• Monitor the overall development of the public art collection, including ensuring that local and regional artists are presented and balanced with respect to ethnicity and gender of arts selection.
• Recommend artists to be commissioned for projects or engaged to join a project team.
• Manage the County’s “Percent for Arts” program and organizes and manages workshops and seminars.
• Provide technical assistance to artists, arts organizations, and community groups to incubate and develop arts services.
• Work effectively under the direction of a diverse group of stakeholders.

Requirements

Employment Standards

To be considered for this position, you will be competent in the areas listed above and have the ability to demonstrate these competencies consistent with the position’s level in the leadership and the specific work assignment. You will also need:

Experience and/or education directly related to the level of leadership and the scope of organizational authority/responsibility as listed in this announcement and:

1. A bachelor’s degree in art history, museum science, public administration, or related field and
2. experience with: supervision of staff, coordinating public art projects, grant writing, contract preparation, budget administration, working in community or private sector arts and culture; or,
3. a combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent and provides the required knowledge and abilities.

SALARY: $60,991 – $83,000 Annually. This position’s top salary is $100,636, however the County can only offer the position up to $83,000 as a starting pay base and is based on qualifications and experience.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers a benefits package including retirement.

Additional Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License is required upon appointment. Will possess physical agility to walk up and down stairs daily where our offices are located, and walk/stand for hours at community events.

HOW TO APPLY

Online Application: The County of Santa Barbara offers a simple and convenient online application (application process should only take 15 minutes).  Please apply online at www.sbcountyjobs.com and attach your resume and cover letter. This is an open continuous recruitment; however for first consideration APPLY by December 28, 2015!

Questions? Contact your recruiter Wendi Brown at:

• wendi@wbrowncreative.com
• 541-858-0376 – Direct
• 866-929-WBCP – Toll Free