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. This is 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, supervises 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; public art, 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 strategies, including the 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 of all full and part-time staff, including the exhibits manager, education coordinator, and public projects manager. Work with staff and volunteer coordinator on nurturing volunteers for programs and events.
- Event oversight – oversee Art All Night Director on all aspects of the planning and production of Artworks’ annual 24-hour Art all Night festival. Oversee 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. Oversee 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, 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 the highest standards. Ensure that appropriate fiscal controls in money handling, accounting, audit, and financial filings are adhered to.
Experience/Qualifications
• 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.
• Creative approach to problem-solving.
• Collaborative leadership style and the 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.
• 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
Artworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. To learn more about Artwork’s mission and programs, please visit artworkstrenton.org.
Candidates should e-mail a cover letter detailing your qualifications and a resume to [email protected]. Please put “Executive Director Opportunity” in the subject line of your email.