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Executive Director
MCA Denver
Denver, CO
Background
MCA DENVER is an innovative forum for contemporary art that inspires and challenges audiences, and whose goal is to create understanding and dialog about art of the 21st century. The museum is a non-collecting institution devoted to engaging the Denver community with artists of our time from the region and throughout the world. The museum is an activator, content provider and immediate research vehicle of culture in the making. It is a place for public engagement, a museum without a front door.
MCA DENVER has five distinct galleries, three spaces for education, multiple sites for special projects/commissioned works and one live art/lecture hall. The galleries perform in a rotation sequence that allows the Museum to always be in an active state, offering something new to be seen upon each return visit. MCA DENVER excites artists and visitors alike to enter into creative conversations that extend beyond its walls.
Founded in 1996, MCA DENVER was formed to provide the city with its first contemporary art museum. At its tenth year as a cultural presenter, David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates (UK) was commissioned to design a new permanent home near Denver’s historic Lower Downtown and Union Station. As a Gold LEED certified museum, MCA DENVER embodies sustainability. The museum is a cultural and civic leader. Since the opening of the new building in October 2007, the museum has had more than 50,000 visitors, exhibited the work of more than 20 artists from 13 countries, given more than 500 gallery tours, added more than 1,400 new members and offered more than 118 programs. MCA Denver operates with a budget of $2.8 million, is governed by a 25 member board of trustees and has a full and part time staff of 22.
http://www.mcadenver.org
Position
and Responsibilities
The executive director of MCA Denver, as chief executive officer, reports to the board of trustees, and administers and oversees all functions of the institution within policies determined by the board of trustees. The executive director provides overall leadership for all aspects of the operation and program of museum.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Providing vision and artistic direction for the museum, and taking the lead in enhancing the museum’s role and reputation in the city, the nation and the world.
- Working with appropriate staff and guest curators to develop and implement an exciting and challenging exhibition program bringing new work to Denver while at the same time supporting the work of local and regional artists.
- Being an articulate, passionate and persuasive spokesperson able to represent the interests of the museum to the general public, collectors, financial supporters, and to national and international arts communities.
- Being an energetic fundraiser who will work in partnership with the board of trustees and the development staff to expand the museum’s base of financial support and to develop and implement an endowment campaign.
- Providing support and oversight for the museum’s educational programs, ensuring a strong role for the museum in the educational, cultural and intellectual life of the community.
- Collaborating and partnering with other cultural institutions in the city, state, country and abroad.
- Overseeing and monitoring the museum’s annual budget.
- Developing and implementing short and long-term strategic plans, working closely with the board of trustees and staff.
- Overseeing the budget and plans for marketing and publicity of the museum’s programs, activities and events, with emphasis on increasing awareness, visitations and financial support.
- Hiring, directing and supporting a strong administrative, curatorial, educational staff; encouraging a culture of teamwork, excellence and flawless execution in all activities and at all levels within the museum.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate should have the following experience and qualifications:
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to help the museum flourish and achieve a new level of success;
- Prior management and curatorial experience in an art museum or exhibition space known for quality and excellence, and a strong background in contemporary art;
- A successful record in the planning and administration of museum programs, including exhibition development and educational and public programs;
- Commitment to the museum as an innovative, experimental and exciting laboratory;
- Competence and hands-on experience handling budgets, overseeing operations, directing and supporting staff and working closely with a committed and active governing body;
- Proven ability to build and nurture relationships with a wide range of individuals including artists, staff, trustees, peers, collectors and donors;
- Proven fundraising ability from a variety of sources, including successful experience cultivating and soliciting gifts from individual donors; endowment campaign experience is a plus;
- Demonstrated ability to serve as an effective spokesperson and ambassador for the museum, with outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
The executive director of MCA Denver will be highly regarded as a leader in the field of contemporary art with a demonstrated ability and passion for working with artists, staff, the public, volunteers and the board. The ideal candidate will currently hold an administrative or curatorial position with comparable managerial responsibilities and be recognized as a dynamic and energetic leader. The new executive director will value integrity and excellence; will be an effective communicator; and will be a flexible and collegial collaborator.
Salary
The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.
Start
Date
Winter/Spring 2009
Procedure for Application
Applicants should submit resumes, the names of three references, and a one-page narrative describing their interest in the position and their experience that relates to the responsibilities described above. Management Consultants for the Arts, an executive search firm retained by the museum, will review applications. Send applications and recommendations of candidates to:
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