Anderson Arts Center seeks executive director

Apply by January 15.

The Anderson Arts Center is looking for a team leader with limitless vision and innovation, and a proven track record of presenting creative, inspiring numerous arts programs. Our executive director will nurture existing relationships and foster new partnerships to further our mission to develop, advance and deliver high-quality arts and cultural experiences in the Anderson community. Our goal is to continually enhance the quality of life for our residents, while presenting Anderson as a destination city for visitors. If you have a passion for the arts and understand the strong influence they can have on people’s lives, we invite you to apply for this position.

The executive director is responsible for:

• Board Relations/Strategic Plans. Teaming with the President and Directors to implement Board decisions, assisting in developing goals and long-range plans, and reviewing progress of achievements. Aggressively implementing the Arts Center’s Strategic Plan, offering sound recommendations, and inspiring Board responsibility. Working effectively with City and County Governments to develop and implement strategic goals.
• Internal Relations. Working in full cooperation with the Board and the Chairs of the Membership, Executive, Special Events and Capital Campaign Committees to further the mission and goals of the Arts Center.
• Public Relations. Enthusiastically and effectively serving as an ambassador and spokesperson for The Arts Center to the public, special constituencies, potential donors and other organizations. Developing publicity materials, newsletters, annual reports and resource materials for various constituencies. Establishing and maintaining beneficial relationships with key individuals with integral roles in shaping the Arts Center’s future. Developing innovative educational opportunities for artists, students, Board members and potential donors.
• Development. Overseeing and implementing annual appeals, while actively soliciting and managing solicitation of sponsorships. Developing and supervising fundraising events. Providing excellent service to donors, and issuing comprehensive, accurate and timely statements of donor activity.
• Membership. Working with the Board and Membership Committee to grow and retain Anderson Arts Center memberships. Remembering that we are only as good as our collective membership.
• Grants Management. Administering the grant request program of The Arts Center, using the framework established by the Board-approved Fundraising Plan. Actively generating methods for The Arts Center to leverage its resources to meet community needs. Initiating and/or partnering with other nonprofits to enhance the effectiveness of Arts Center funding. Providing oversight and research for new foundation funding sources, and for creating and writing new grants.
• Fiscal Management. Preparing and operating within the parameters of the annual budget. Anticipating and planning for capital needs of The Arts Center. Working with the Executive Committee to assure proper cash management. Ensuring that The Arts Center complies with established policies and procedures, and with all governmental regulations and requirements. Working with auditors in the performance of annual audit, and effectively implementing recommendations.
• Human Resources. Attracting and retaining quality Arts Center personnel, demonstrating a good working relationship with all personnel, and providing regular performance evaluation and counseling.
• Personal Performance. Working effectively with the Board of Directors, volunteers, staff, other organizations and the community to achieve common goals. Demonstrating critical problem examination that leads to identification of key relationship components, and developing solutions. Continually improves the organization by exploring creative ideas or seeking further education on issues of importance. Demonstrating positive oral and written presentation of ideas within and outside the Arts Council. Understanding and following established policies. Exuding self-confidence, and demonstrating enthusiastic job performance with a minimum of direction. Trying new ideas, experimenting and taking reasonable risks. Forming sound evaluations of facts, opinions and options, while minimizing personal bias in decisions. Delivering consistent, reliable results, while instilling confidence in others.
• Fiscal Year Goals. Hiring talented staff to replace vacancies, developing a Strategic Plan, expanding the Board by recruiting new members, and developing and executing successful fundraising for The Arts Center.

Knowledge and abilities needed for success include:

• Vision and proven leadership abilities; A knowledge and appreciation of the arts and art education; Excellent organizational and communication skills; Honesty, enthusiasm, assertiveness and independence; A fine degree of diplomacy; Flexibility in task completion, and in interaction with professional and volunteer personnel; A solid commitment to the mission of the Anderson Arts Center.
• Excellent communication skills; A collaborative leadership style; Demonstrated knowledge of administrative and fiscal management; Resource management and solid business protocol; Professionalism, the ability to manage multiple projects at once, Flexible working conditions; Juggling content and scheduling.
• A proven track record in fundraising, event planning, donor development, membership development and retention.
• An understanding of the characteristics and differences in communities, including rural, underserved, urban and suburban; Effects of geographic, cultural and economic barriers, and their effects on the role of the arts, arts education, economic development, community development and cultural tourism.
• A knowledge of local, state and federal government affairs and the legislative process; diplomatic skills, and sensitivity to the current political environment (policies, practices and positions).
• An ability to oversee the work of the staff, committees, contract workers, website management, graphic design, bookkeeping, database management, publications, information distribution, brand-based advertising, technology infrastructure and facility management.
• An ability to manage and oversee Arts Center-related facilities, while maintaining strong tenant relationships.
• Negotiation and executing all legal documents (annual renewal of Director & Officers Liability & Employment Insurance, Building, General Liability, Exhibit and Personal Property, Annual registration with the Secretary of State, Contracts for SC Arts Commission grants, Private Foundations and local government documents).
• Working relationships with the SC Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, various foundations and other granting agencies in securing funding initiatives; Grant and proposal preparation for foundations, local government and private businesses.
• Maintaining a professional awareness and interest in the field; Attending exhibits, performances, festivals, professional seminars and workshops; Advising Board members of trends in the field and upcoming changes in the future; Facilitating long-range and strategic planning for the organization.
• Have a proven working relationship with artists, a knowledge base of various media, presentation techniques, exhibition policies, artist contracts, installation procedures, lighting, gallery programming, public and past curating experience.
• Planning and organizing various programs/services within the stated purposes and policies formulated by the Board of Directors and General Membership.

This position requires a bachelor’s degree, along with a minimum of seven years of experience with progressively increasing responsibility and oversight of an arts division or organization. Part of that experience must include active supervision and leading of others to reach departmental goals. The ability to work flexible hours is required.

The position is full-time, with a base salary starting at $55K. Any additional incentives for the position will be discussed with candidates during the formal interview process.

The Anderson Arts Center is accepting resumes and cover letters through January 15, 2018. Please submit via artscenteranderson@gmail.com.

About the Anderson Arts Center

Established in 1972, the Anderson Arts Center is a 501(c)3 that promotes and fosters the practice and appreciation of the arts in Anderson County and the surrounding areas in South Carolina. Once a primarily rural and textile area, Anderson continues to grow at a rapid pace with close to 30 schools, over 230 manufacturers, including 22 international companies, in the county. The Anderson Arts Center strives to meet the cultural needs of our diverse community through local and national exhibits, comprehensive arts programming for all ages, and community based public art projects. Our organization’s major partners include the Anderson Convention and Visitors Bureau, Anderson County, the City of Anderson, and the South Carolina Arts Commission.

After its founding, the Arts Center found a permanent “home” in the Carnegie Library building, secured through the Pendleton District Historical and Recreational Commission. There, the Center thrived and increased its arts programming for 34 years, until growth necessitated acquiring and renovating the adjacent P&N Railway Warehouse. Since 2006, the 33,000 square foot Anderson Arts Warehouse has provided exhibition and classroom space in a handicapped accessible location. The Anderson Arts Warehouse significantly changed the cultural landscape of our area, and has opened the arts to thousands of people in Anderson County and the surrounding areas in South Carolina.

---