The Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) seeks an experienced Interim Executive Director to provide steady, thoughtful leadership during a period of organizational transition. The Interim ED will ensure continuity of operations, support staff and programs, and partner closely with the Board of Trustees as the organization continues to assess long-term strategies for sustainability and impact. This is a time-limited assignment, well suited to a seasoned museum or nonprofit leader who brings strong operational judgment, financial acumen, and a collaborative leadership style.

Contemporary Arts Center

Founded in 1939, the Contemporary Arts Center is a non-collecting contemporary art institution dedicated to presenting innovative exhibitions and programs that engage artists and audiences with the art of our time. For more than eight decades, CAC has played a nationally recognized role in introducing groundbreaking artists, ideas, and conversations, and today continues to function as a laboratory for contemporary art, experimentation, and public dialogue.

CAC is known for an ambitious exhibition program featuring national and international artists alongside emerging and regional voices, with an emphasis on new work, underrepresented perspectives, and artists working across disciplines. Exhibitions are complemented by education programs, public talks, artist residencies, and community partnerships. CAC serves a broad and diverse audience that includes local and regional visitors, students, artists, educators, and tourists; approximately one-third of visitors come from outside the immediate Cincinnati area, reflecting the institution’s broader regional and national reach.

Since 2003, CAC has been housed in its landmark downtown Cincinnati building, designed by Zaha Hadid, one of the most influential architects of her generation. The building, Hadid’s first museum commission in the United States, received significant national and international attention when it opened and firmly placed CAC on the global cultural map. The approximately 80,000-square-foot facility, including roughly 23,000 square feet of exhibition space, remains one of the most architecturally distinctive contemporary art venues in the country and continues to be a draw for artists and visitors alike.

CAC operates with an annual budget of approximately $4 million, supported by a mix of contributed revenue, earned income, and endowment support. The organization’s endowment is approximately $6 million. CAC is governed by a Board of Trustees of approximately 20 members and is supported by a staff of approximately 18–19 full- and part-time employees, reflecting a lean structure following several years of organizational streamlining.

Like many contemporary art organizations, CAC has faced increasing financial and operational pressures in recent years, driven significantly by building-related operating costs, prompting a period of reassessment and strategic exploration. Through disciplined management and active board engagement, the organization has already made progress toward greater financial stability while continuing to deliver high caliber exhibitions, education programs, and community engagement initiatives. As CAC looks ahead, the Board is thoughtfully considering a range of options to ensure long-term sustainability and relevance, including potential partnerships and operational adjustments.

Interim Executive Director Position

The Interim Executive Director will serve as CAC’s senior executive for an anticipated six- to twelve-month appointment, with primary responsibility for maintaining organizational stability and forward momentum while longer-term decisions are under consideration. Working in close partnership with the Board of Trustees and senior staff, the Interim ED will focus on day-to-day leadership and provide support to the Board on long-range structural change. Key areas of responsibility include:

• Providing clear, steady leadership to staff during a period of transition
• Overseeing day-to-day operations, including finance, administration, and facilities
• Providing information, advice, and support to the Board as it explores strategic options for sustainability.
• Supporting exhibition, education, development, and external relations functions
• Maintaining productive communication and collaboration across departments
• Serving as a visible, credible, and articulate representative of CAC to funders, partners, and community stakeholders

This role is not intended to resolve all long-term strategic questions, but rather to ensure that the organization remains stable, functional, and well supported as those discussions continue.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will bring:

• Senior leadership experience as an Executive Director, Interim Executive Director, Deputy Director, or equivalent role within a museum, arts organization, or mission-driven nonprofit
• Demonstrated strength in organizational operations, financial oversight, and staff management
• Experience leading organizations through periods of transition or change
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with staff, board members, and external stakeholders
• A collaborative, steady leadership style grounded in emotional intelligence and sound judgment
• Flexibility as strategic direction evolves; the ability to communicate the Board’s decisions to the staff and to support them to the public.
• Familiarity with contemporary art organizations or exhibition-driven institutions is highly desirable

Curatorial expertise is not required, though an appreciation for artistic practice and museum culture is important.

Compensation and Structure

The Interim Executive Director will be engaged as an independent contractor for the duration of the appointment. Compensation is expected to be approximately $175,000 on an annualized basis, prorated for the length and structure of the six- to twelve-month interim engagement, and commensurate with experience.

Residency and Work Location

The Interim Executive Director is expected to maintain a regular on-site presence in Cincinnati for the duration of the appointment. While the Board is open to a hybrid work arrangement, the role requires meaningful in-person engagement with staff, board members, and community stakeholders. Candidates who are not currently based in the Cincinnati region should anticipate establishing a temporary local residence during the interim period. The organization may be able to assist with identifying short-term housing options, depending on candidate circumstances.

How to Apply

To apply in confidence, submit application online at https://rcr.li/QLTT by February 11, 2026, to: Dan Yaeger, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference.

A complete application should include:

1)    A cover letter expressing interest in the position and giving brief examples of past related experience.

2)    A résumé.

3)    The names and contact information for three professional references, indicating your relationship with them.

This will be an expedited placement, so applicants are encouraged to apply early. All applications and nominations are kept confidential; we will not contact references without your permission. Nominations are welcome. For more details, visit: www.museum-search.com/open-searches.

Questions should be directed to Dan Yaeger, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference, via SearchandRef@museum-search.com.