The College of Arts and Architecture at The Pennsylvania State University seeks a dynamic, visionary, and collaborative leader to assume the directorship of the Palmer Museum of Art.

The Palmer is an academic art museum for the students, faculty, and staff who comprise the Penn State community, as well as a civic institution serving the Centre region and the people of the Commonwealth. With a collection of 8,300 objects representing a variety of cultures and spanning thirty-five centuries of global art, the Palmer is the largest art museum between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The museum’s collections, special exhibitions, and education programs support its mission to “serve as a cultural and scholarly resource for the University and audiences from Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world….  In accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards, the museum preserves and augments the collections it holds in trust for future generations.”

The Palmer today consists of eleven galleries, three of which host changing exhibitions; a print study room; art storage facilities; an entrance atrium that includes a store; support and office spaces; and a 150-seat auditorium. The galleries range from intimate to spacious and allow for a variety of exhibitions. The expansion also included a dramatic new entrance to produce an iconic identity for the museum, a new outdoor plaza that serves as a campus focal point and gathering spot, and a sculpture garden adjacent to the museum.

A number of generous donors have enabled the museums to build an outstanding permanent collection that continues to grow at a strong pace. Areas of particular strength include American art from the late-eighteenth century to the present, Old Master paintings, and contemporary ceramics and glass. The Museum has a fine works-on-paper collection that extends from Old Master and Japanese ukiyo-e prints to photographs and contemporary drawings.

The museum operates with a full-time staff of thirteen. It has a docent corps of 35 and a membership group (Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art) of approximately 800, as well as an Advisory Board composed of members drawn from throughout the United States. The museum attracts approximately 35,000 visitors annually. Further information about the museum can be found at: palmermuseum.psu.edu.

“Advancing the Arts and Humanities” is one of five thematic priorities in Penn State’s strategic plan. Important elements of this priority are to “invest in Penn State as a cultural destination,” to “elevate the institution’s cultural profile,” and to “raise awareness of Penn State’s role as a cultural hub” (see: strategicplan.psu.edu). This institutional vision—to which Penn State President Eric Barron is strongly committed—provides a singular, transformative opportunity for the next director to significantly raise the visibility and impact of the museum on local, national, and international levels. To that end, the university recently completed a feasibility study for a proposed “Cultural District” in the Arboretum at Penn State, which envisions the construction of a new art museum adjacent to a new science museum, with allocated space for collaborative art/science programming. With these circumstances in mind, the next director will have the opportunity to explore opportunities to expand the museum’s commitment to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art, while continuing to aggressively pursue collection growth in areas of existing strength, advocate for and secure additional operational funds to support activities and initiatives beyond staff salaries and maintenance of the museum facilities, and play a lead role in accomplishing the recently completed feasibility study for a proposed “Cultural District” in the Arboretum at Penn State.

POSITION
The director reports to the dean of the College of Arts and Architecture and is member of the college leadership team.  S/he sets the museum’s strategic direction and oversees its operations.
S/he will plan and execute strategies and initiatives necessary to fulfill the museum’s mission and ensure its financial stability and growth; align the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the museum with those of the college and the university; provide vision and leadership to clearly articulate the role of the museum as a university and community resource, assuring its active engagement with all of its current and potential constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, donors, and community members; develop, oversee, and implement the museum’s annual budget and its short and long-term strategic plans; partner effectively with the dean, college and university development staff, and the Advisory Board and the Friends to engage actively and effectively in fundraising and collections building, including regular travel in support of these objectives; work closely with the Advisory Board and Friends to clarify and strengthen their roles by establishing clear policies and procedures and specific responsibilities and  work collaboratively with the college leadership team.

QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate should have demonstrated ability to serve as an effective spokesperson and ambassador for the museum, college, and university with excellent written and oral communication skills. Strong and proven leadership skills; direct experience and competence in establishing strategic priorities, creating and managing budgets, managing operations, and directing and supporting staff; knowledge of how a large, complex organization works and the ability to navigate successfully within one; a master’s degree (required) or earned doctorate (preferred) in an appropriate discipline. A strong background in art history is essential.

A full job profile may be found at
www.mcaonline.us

COMPENSATION 
The salary is competitive and negotiable. The University offers an excellent benefits package.  For general information, see the Penn State HR website: ohr.psu.edu.

START DATE
The preferred start date is no later than summer 2017.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit a current CV, a letter of application stating their interest in the position and their experience as it relates to the responsibilities and qualifications described above, as well as the names of three references.

Initial screening of candidates will be conducted by Diane Frankel of Management Consultants for the Arts, an executive search firm working with the Palmer Museum of Art. Send applications to Diane Frankel in care of Christy Wall at mcawall2@gmail.com.  Recommendations for candidates are also welcome.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.