An exceptional leadership and career opportunity is open in Okoboji and the Iowa Great Lakes region.  The Board of Directors of the Pearson Lakes Art Center (PLAC) is seeking qualified candidates to be selected as its next executive director. 

The Executive Director will provide leadership in developing, implementing and coordinating policies and programs to the meet the PLAC mission; oversee and manage daily operations, budget, fundraising, and staff;  and develop and strengthen donor and community relations and partnerships.

Qualified candidates include those with a business or arts management degree plus non-profit management experience including fundraising, grant-writing, marketing and public relations.  Demonstrated written and oral communications skills, supervisory, leadership, planning and organizational skills as well as knowledge of accounting principles and fiscal management are also required.  Desired qualifications include an MBA in arts management/museology and five or more years of non-profit management experience.  The detailed position description can be viewed online at www.lakesart.org.

About PLAC:
The PLAC will be celebrating its 50th year in 2015 and has a rich history as a center for world class art, performing arts, educational opportunities, and special events.  The PLAC has a professional staff of eight, houses six galleries, a performing arts theatre, an interactive gallery, classrooms, pottery room, library, events hall, and gift shop for everyone in the community. 

Thanks to the generosity of many donors, sponsors and over 550 members, the PLAC has an annual budget of about $800,000, an endowment of nearly $3 million, a beautiful facility inside and outside, and permanent art collections.  These include a Russian and Soviet Impressionism collection and a comprehensive fine arts collection of American and European paintings.  

About the Community and Region:
Dickinson County, known as a growing, progressive area in Iowa, offers a wonderful place to live and work.  It is home to one of the premier destination vacation spots in the Midwest because of its glacial chain of lakes – the Iowa Great Lakes – West Lake Okoboji, East Lake Okoboji, Spirt Lake, Upper and Lower Gar Lakes and Lake Minnewashta. People travel to Dickinson County not only for vacation, but also to take advantage of the county's fine dining, shopping, golf courses, amusement park, and attractions, as well as its diversity of job opportunities. There are more people here in the summer months than other times of the year, but many locals will tell you how much they love the quiet beauty of the off-season. And some savvy visitors are just beginning to appreciate the area's natural beauty year around.  It is home to miles and miles of paved trails, quality schools, higher education facilities, excellent health care facilities and services, a first-class YMCA and facilities, along with other educational and recreational amenities such as the Dickinson County Nature Center and Boji Bay Ice Arena. 

Dickinson County is one of four counties in the Iowa Lakes Corridor region.  The Corridor region is a place that allows for a balance in life. Living within the communities of the Iowa Lakes Corridor allows you to have it all. This area provides you with the ability to spend quality time with your friends and family while meeting your career objectives. Enjoy easy and scenic commutes, excellent schools with small class-sizes, safe communities to live in and endless recreational and cultural opportunities year round.  Within the Iowa Lakes Corridor there are progressive and distinctive communities each with its own history, character and lifestyle. Find affordable housing in a variety of beautiful communities and neighborhoods.  To learn more about the region visit www.lakescorridor.com.

Those interested in the PLAC Executive Director opportunity should send a cover letter, resume, and four references via email to Kathy Evert. The position will remain open until filled; it is expected to be in early 2015.