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Director
Newport Art Museum & Art Association
Newport, Rhode Island
Background
In the summer of 1912, a group of artists and intellectuals led by Maud Howe Elliott, Boston-born activist and Pulitzer-Prize-winning author, banded together to form the Art Association of Newport for the purpose of promoting and exhibiting fine arts and fostering arts education within the community. The other founders were Charles Biesel, John Elliott, Albert Sterner, William Sergeant Kendall, and Louisa and Helena Sturtevant. Barely a month after its creation, the Association staged its first exhibition, which included contributions from within the group and renowned artists such as George Bellows, Mary Cassatt, John White Alexander, Childe Hassam, and Arthur B. Davies. In 1915, prominent sculptor and arts patron Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney exhibited her works and joined the Association Council.
Today, the legacy of these early artists is the Newport Art Museum and Art Association, a community arts center that provides the region with exhibitions, art classes, educational programs, and cultural activities. Open to the public throughout the year, the Museum collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets contemporary and historic works emphasizing the pivotal role played by Newport and New England artists in the development of American art.
The museum campus consists of three state of the art facilities, including the Griswold House, a National Historic Landmark and an Official Project of Save America’s Treasures. Designed in 1862 by famed architect Richard Morris Hunt, it was completed in 1864 for John N.A.Griswold, a China Trade merchant and financier. It was Hunt’s first major commission in Newport and is the premier example of American Stick Style architecture. Hunt went on to design many of the grand cottages of Newport’s Gilded Age, including The Breakers, Marble House, and Ochre Court. The Griswold House became home to the museum in 1912 and currently houses restored rooms, galleries, a children’s art classroom, administrative offices, a lecture hall, the Griffon Shop and the Museum Store.
Directly across from the Griswold House is the Cushing Gallery, designed by William Adams Delano. It opened in 1920 as a memorial to artist Howard Gardiner Cushing, one of the early members and most prominent supporters of the Art Association. Carrying on the American Renaissance style of the late nineteenth century, the quiet classical details of the Cushing Gallery contrast with the slate roof, gables, and cross pieces of Griswold House. The Gallery was enlarged in 1991 with the addition of the Nathalie Bailey Morris Gallery, the Sarah Rives Lobby, and state-of-the-art collections storage, enabling the museum to expand and upgrade its collections and exhibitions, and to borrow important pieces from major museums across the country.
The two buildings are joined by a park and garden used for outdoor programs in the summer months. Across the street is the Gilbert S. Kahn Building that houses the museum’s art school, The Minnie and Jimmy Coleman Center for Creative Studies. Opened in 1998, it houses a variety of course offerings and workshops taught by professional artist instructors and available to students of all ages throughout the year. The Kahn Building has two painting and drawing studios, a printmaking studio, a photography darkroom and a ceramics studio with two electric kilns and nine potter’s wheels, including one that is wheelchair accessible. Through the art school’s outreach programs, the museum collaborates with numerous social service agencies, working to provide art education opportunities for all populations.
The museum’s collections and exhibitions focus on the visual artists of Newport and southeastern New England, reflecting both the rich heritage of the past and the lively art scene of the present. The collections feature works by Fitz Henry Lane, George Inness, William Trost Richards, John Fredrick Kensett, John La Farge, Gilbert Stuart, Helene Sturtevant, and Catharine Morris Wright. Contemporary artists represented in the collection include Dale Chihuly, Howard Ben Tre, Robert Hamita, James Baker, and Joseph Norman.
The museum organizes special exhibitions drawn from the permanent collection, the holdings of other museums and private collections. These exhibitions bring to Newport a wide variety of themes and styles, often accompanied by special programs. The Museum provides local and regional artists with opportunities to exhibit their works in the Newport Annual, and various other venues throughout the year.
The Newport Art Museum has an annual operating budget of approximately $1.4 million; a full and part time staff of 28, 150 volunteers as well as 25 faculty members. It is governed by a 30 member board of trustees. The museum has a membership of approximately 1,800, art school enrollment of 2,300, outreach program attendance of 7,500, and visitation of 28,000. The Newport Art Museum is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums. The Artists’ Guild, Photo Guild and Architectural Forum serve a total of 265 members.
Opportuniteis
The museum will celebrate its centennial in 2012. The new director will be able to capitalize on the forthcoming anniversary to launch a capital/endowment campaign; build the collection through an ambitious gift and acquisitions program; develop new and larger audiences through major exhibition and program initiatives; and assure the long-term financial sustainability of the museum by diversifying and expanding the donor base.
Responsibilities
The director of the Newport Art Museum, 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. Specific responsibilities include:
- Providing outstanding leadership and vision to assure the artistic and financial well being of the museum;
- Setting the artistic and aesthetic direction for the museum and overseeing the on-going development of the collection and the implementation of an ambitious exhibition and education program;
- Working closely with the board president and board committees as well as with the staff to develop and implement strategic plans and decisions;
- Identifying, cultivating and generating significant financial support for the short and long term development of the museum, working closely with the board and appropriate staff to secure monies from individuals, businesses, foundations, federal, state and city sources, and to maximize opportunities for earned income;
- Supervising all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the museum and overseeing the preparation of annual, capital and project budgets ensuring that the necessary systems, procedures and controls are in place and functioning;
- Identifying and implementing opportunities to expand the museum’s reputation, making the museum’s three campus locations the premier arts destination in the area with appeal to a large and diverse audience of local residents and visitors;
- Managing an outstanding administrative, curatorial and educational staff, encouraging team work and furthering a culture of excellence within the institution;
- Providing community leadership to enhance the visibility of the museum and its role as an exceptional cultural, economic and civic resource;
- Serving as chief spokesperson in all communications internally and externally concerning all aspects of the museum and its activities;
- Representing the museum at national, regional and local conferences and other appropriate venues deemed beneficial to the museum.
Qualifications
Essential qualifications include:
- Should have 10 years of increasing responsibility in a museum or related organization with at least 5 years in a senior position; an advanced degree in art history or a related field is preferred. Knowledge and experience in an area related to the museum’s collections and program is a plus.
- Must be an energetic and passionate leader with the ability to manage, position, market and develop an organization.
- Must have the demonstrated interest and ability to energize a diverse community while building a positive image and lasting relationships for the museum. Experience in working with volunteer organizations is critical.
- Must have the demonstrated ability to motivate, build and nurture a top-notch staff.
- Must be an effective communicator with the ability to present the museum, and represent the museum, to all internal and external constituencies.
- Must be able to manage all aspects of the day-to-day business affairs and operations.
- Must have the ability to create, manage and successfully implement a development campaign that will energize the museum in the short and long term.
- Must have a reputation for the highest level of integrity and credibility.
In summary, the new director of the Newport Art Museum will need to be cognizant of the history of the museum and its relationships in the community, while at the same time willing and able to bring new vision, passion and ideas to the museum.
Compensation
The salary is competitive, and dependent upon skills and experience.
Procedure for Application
Applicants should submit resumes and a one-page narrative describing their interest in the position and their experience that relates to the responsibilities described above, as well as the names of three references. Management Consultants for the Arts, an executive search firm working with the museum's board of trustees, will review all applications.
Send applications or suggestions of candidates to:
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