19 Everett Alley, Trenton, NJ 08611 www.artworkstrenton.org 609.394.9436
Job Announcement: Executive Director
Artworks, Trenton New Jersey’s non-profit visual art center, seeks a passionate and experienced leader who will take the organization to the next level of success in realizing its mission of “connecting community, culture and creativity through the arts.”
Position Summary
The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of Artworks, a full-time position working closely with and reporting to the Board Chair and Board of Trustees. The Executive Director provides the leadership, inspiration, and strategic direction to ensure that Artworks meets and exceeds its annual and long-term goals for artistic excellence, financial sustainability, and community engagement. The Executive Director directs and administers all programs, operations and policies of Artworks, supervising a professional staff of four as well as volunteers, while serving our diverse community of artists, youth and the general public.
Organization overview
Artworks has a 57-year history of serving its immediate community as well as its regional neighbors. Since 1988 we have been based in downtown Trenton, NJ. Artworks believes in the power of art to transform both individuals and communities. In all of our programming and events we seek to engage and involve city residents of all ages, cultures and communities in ways that also help connect them with their neighbors in Trenton and surrounding municipalities. We do this through a year-round schedule of exhibitions, open studios; youth, teen and adult education; professional development and other programming. As a city, Trenton continues to struggle for resources and recognition despite being the state capital. Artworks is deeply committed to partnering with those working to improve and revitalize Trenton, using art as a change agent fostering social expression, social justice, racial equity, highlighting the voices and experiences of those our country has historically ignored, and celebrating human diversity in all its forms.
Responsibilities
Artworks looks to its Executive Director to have a deep and broad interest in all of its program areas, as well as a proven ability to lead and provide meaningful input into every aspect of its operations.
Primary areas of responsibility include:
- Program development and management – oversee all operations of Artworks, supporting existing and developing new programs, operating policies and procedures, and building administrative infrastructure.
- Fundraising and capacity building – maintain relationships with current funders, sponsors and individual donors and actively cultivate new donors and seek new funding opportunities. Responsible for all grants and grant writing. Serve as the top fundraiser while also working closely with the Board on annual fundraising strategy, planning annual fundraising gala and other events, developing new sources of mission-consistent earned revenue.
- Develop the annual budget for Board approval and provide sound fiscal oversight and financial management.
- Staff and volunteer oversight – provide overall supervision for and work closely with all full and part-time staff, including the exhibits manager, education coordinator, and public projects manager, on managing existing exhibition, professional development, arts educational, public art and community engagement programs and in responsibly developing new arts and artist programs and opportunities. Work with staff and any volunteer coordinator on nurturing volunteers for programs and events.
- Events oversight – work closely with Art All Night Director on all aspects of the planning and production of Artworks’ annual 24-hour Art all Night festival. Work closely with Art All Day Director on all aspects of the planning and production of Artworks’ annual Art All Day open studio and creative space tour throughout Trenton. Work closely with Education Coordinator on all aspects of the planning and production of Artworks’ annual Art Making Day family art making event.
- Advocacy – act as the voice of Artworks, including public and social appearances, advocating for the benefits of our programming, for the arts and for the City of Trenton in general. Engage in planning and development efforts with other city stakeholders, including cultural, business, organization, religious and government leaders.
- Marketing and communications – develop and oversee marketing and communication efforts, largely through social media platforms
- Strategic planning – engage with Board on strategic planning, oversee execution of strategic objectives with staff and Board.
- Financial, governance and ethical standards – work closely with Board Governance and Finance Committees on maintaining strong standards. Enforce appropriate fiscal controls in money handling, accounting, audit and financial filings. Ensure that all business conducted by Artworks staff, artists and other contractors is at the highest standard of integrity ensuring that all activities are legal and ethical.
Experience/Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3-5 years management experience at a nonprofit organization. Significant experience in the arts and prior leadership experience.
- Proven record as a successful fundraiser and grant writer.
- Outstanding written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong planning, organizational and analytical skills.
- Proven team player with flexible and creative approach to problem-solving.
- Ability to positively motivate and develop staff, board, and volunteers, and build consensus.
- Visionary and innovative thinker with a strong understanding of the important role of the arts in urban areas and in culturally diverse communities of color.
- Ability to work tirelessly and collaboratively with all sectors of the community, the Board of Trustees and staff.
- Knowledge of the Trenton area arts community a plus, but is not required.
- Bilingual Spanish-English language fluency a plus, but is not required.
Compensation
The salary for this position is commensurate with experience, but on the scale of a small nonprofit organization, and will be in the range of $60,000 to $75,000.
To Apply
Candidates should e-mail a cover letter detailing your qualifications and a resume to EDsearch2021@artworkstrenton.org. Please put “Executive Director Opportunity” in the subject line of your email. Artworks is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.
For more information about Artworks, visit www.artworkstrenton.org.