Thursday, August 27, 2009

Help wanted: Wyoming Arts Alliance

The Wyoming Arts Alliance is looking for an executive director. Here's the job description:

The Wyoming Arts Alliance is seeking an energetic, self-motivated and fearless individual to help create and lead an outstanding arts advocacy organization for Wyoming. Wyoming Arts Alliance is a statewide 501(c) 3 consortium of artists, arts organizations, presenters, educators and advocates. The mission of the Wyoming Arts Alliance (WyAA) is to uniquely combine arts advocacy, professional services and information to advance a creative and culturally vibrant state. The new Executive Director for WyAA must have a passion for the arts, great communication skills, fundraising ability, a willingness to travel the state of Wyoming and beyond, capabilities in both organizational and event planning and good IT skills.

To achieve its mission, WyAA advocates for the arts at local, state and national levels for legislation beneficial to the arts and arts education. It provides education opportunities for its constituency regarding issues which effect arts and arts education. WyAA convenes an annual conference of presenters and performing artists and it provides professional development opportunities for its membership.

WyAA seeks to expand its support of artists and the arts in Wyoming through increased membership and participation from all arts disciplines and creative industries. The Executive Director of WyAA will lead the organization in this expansion, including development of new programs, professional services, legislative agenda and advocacy strategies. Creating an advocacy network throughout the state of Wyoming and the expansion of services to visual, literary and performing arts makes this a challenging and rewarding opportunity.

The position is three-quarter time and features a flexible schedule determined by the individual. The Executive Director can work from any location in the state and will have the additional advantage of being able to work from home.

The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors and will have full authority and responsibility as the chief executive officer of the Wyoming Arts Alliance, (WyAA). Responsibilities include:
* Provide leadership for developing and effectively implementing WyAA’s mission. This includes building an advocacy organization, agenda and strategies; increasing outreach to artists, educators, presenters, employers and advocates; and managing the annual presenters conference.
* Lead WyAA’s fundraising efforts, including expanding the donor base, cultivating relationships with individuals and foundations, grant writing and soliciting major gifts.
* Provide a high degree of visibility throughout the state. The Executive Director will serve as chief spokesperson for WyAA; establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with critical regional entities, state government, presenter organizations, Chambers of Commerce, libraries, educational organizations and institutions, regional galleries, cultural organizations, and donors; positioning WyAA to be the advocacy and education organization for arts in the state.
* Partner with the Board for effective long-term governance and leadership of WyAA; help to identify, recruit and develop the Board; direct the administrative management of WyAA; implement a staffing plan as needed for the expansion of the organization; develop strategic plans and program evaluations.
* Managing the organization in a fiscally responsible manner within the Board-approved budget and in accordance with accepted financial accounting practices.

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of the following:
* A passion for all of the arts, and experience in visual/performing arts and/or arts management.
* Leadership abilities, especially a high level of initiative, strong interpersonal skills, creative and flexible problem solving skills, the ability to partner with the Board, and the capability to direct and lead future staff.
* Ability to successfully fundraise.
* The capability to develop and maintain positive relationships with community leaders; strong political acumen; the ability to maneuver in the state with comfort and credibility.
* The capacity to implement the vision for the Alliance, including innovative programming, professional practices, consensus-oriented management, effective decision-making, strategic visioning, and practical implementation.
* Effective financial management skills.
* A strong work ethic, good sense of humor, sincerity, and a high energy level.

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be: Five to six years in visual and performing arts with increasingly responsible supervisory and/or administrative duties. Prior experience in grant writing is advantageous.

Individuals interested in applying for this position should send a letter of interest and resume to: wyomingartsalliance@gmail.com Only email applications will be accepted.
Visit: www.wyomingarts.org