Current Opportunities

Director

The Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art opened to the public in June 2004. Founded by the Marc and Livia Straus family, the not-for-profit center is dedicated to the development and presentation of new art through exhibitions and interdisciplinary programs that enrich the understanding of contemporary art, its contexts and its relationships to societal issues. Its exhibits have been highly regarded with visitors coming regularly from around the globe.

The Center, one hour north of NYC, is focused on serving its local and regional community, especially the city of Peekskill, a multicultural community that has recreated itself as a major center for art and culture in the Hudson Valley. HVCCA operates a 12,000 square foot exhibition space in Peekskill and is the primary sponsor of the Peekskill Project, a bi-annual, city-wide exhibition of site-specific artwork.

HVCCA’s vaunted artist-in-residence program brings emerging international artists to Peekskill to create new work and interact with regional students and artists, followed by a one person exhibit.

It’s successful education program now engages all 2,200 students in the city of Peekskill in addition to other constituencies.

The Center’s annual operating budget ranges from $350,000 to $550,000 depending on the scope of the exhibitions and programs in a particular fiscal year. HVCCA has a staff of five and a 15 member Board of Directors.

Peekskill, a city of approximately 25,000, is located in Westchester County on the Hudson River 50 miles from New York City.

OPPORTUNITIES:
Building on the accomplishments of the founders, the new Director will be expected to infuse HVCCA with his/her vision, energy and excitement.

Coincident with the recruitment of a new Director and beginning its second 15 years, the Center will undergo a major re-branding to HUDSON VALLEY MoCA. The Director will continue to evolve the Center’s brand, positioning Hudson Valley MoCA as a dynamic, innovative and accessible institution with a clear and strong artistic voice.

The Director will engage with the entire city and region to build awareness of and support for HVCCA and will develop collaborations and partnerships with other local, national and international, cultural and educational institutions.

Like many cultural organizations, HVCCA is challenged by current and projected economic issues. The new Director in partnership with the Board of Directors will undertake significant fund raising efforts and lead the effort to build an endowment and develop new sources of revenue.

The new Director, working with the Board of Directors and the staff, will have the opportunity to develop the next iteration of the museum’s vision, goals, strategies and actions.

POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director of The Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art provides conceptual leadership and vision through specialized knowledge of museums; is responsible with the Board of Directors for setting policy and raising funds; planning, organizing, managing finances, staffing and directing activities through the staff; as well as for professional practices such as research, education, interpretation and presentation.

MANAGEMENT, FUNDRAISING AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION 

-        - Oversee the organization’s annual budget and finances, operating within a balanced budget.

-        - Determine short-term and long-term development needs in the context of the Center’s strategic goals, spearheading fundraising activities and cultivating individual and institutional supporters interested in art, in art education and in the community.

-        - Mentor and manage a talented staff (currently numbering 5), promoting a culture that rewards initiative and teamwork and is predicated on a shared commitment to common goals.

-        - Explore and introduce new approaches to marketing, public relations and social media increasing HVCCA’s visibility and expanding audiences.

-        - Expand the Center’s membership base and individual, business and foundation support.

ARARTISTIC AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

- Oversee the stewardship and development of HVCCA’s exhibitions and educational programs with an emphasis on emerging international artists as well as on community outreach.

-        - Build on the current interpretive and educational programming to enhance the experience of visiting HVCCA.

-        - Strengthen the artist in residence, Peekskill Project and other programs.

-       -  Encourage and support serious scholarship and publication related to the exhibitions and serve as an advocate for the arts and artists locally and regionally.

-        - Build a national and international network of contacts with like-minded institutions and supporters.

-        - Continue to foster relationships with artists, collectors, and other museums.

-        - Ensure that the museum makes effective use of the internet and other technological opportunities to serve local audiences and to maximize access as broadly as possible.

BOARD RELATIONS AND GOVERNANCE 

-       -  Forge a close working relationship with the founders and the other members of the Center’s Board of Directors, making best use of each member's strengths, ideas and resources.

-        - Encourage open and frequent Board communication.

-        - Encourage an effective committee structure.

-        - Identify and cultivate new Board members whose commitment, talent, energy and resources will strengthen HVCCA’s ability to achieve its mission.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Director of HVCCA will be highly regarded as a dynamic leader in the museum field with a demonstrated ability and passion for working with artists, staff, the public, funders and a Board of Directors. The ideal candidate will currently hold an administrative or curatorial position with comparable managerial responsibilities. The new Director will value integrity and excellence; demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion; will be an effective communicator; and will be a flexible and collegial collaborator. Most importantly, the new Director will want to work closely with the Center’s founders as their involvement with the museum continues to evolve.

In addition, the new Director will:

  • Provide strong vision and strategic direction.
  • Build enduring, positive relationships with other community leaders and develop programs. that benefit the community and draw increasing numbers of visitors, program participants and volunteers to the Center.
  • Articulate the mission of the Center with passion and conviction in order to inspire long-term relationships with funders, artists and in the community.
  • Create and manage teams; make sure daily operations run smoothly; and ensure sound financial management.
  • Hold a Master of Arts degree in Fine Arts, Art History, Museum Studies or a related area, or have equivalent experience in a relevant field.
  • Have at least five years of experience in museum management or a directly applicable field, including supervisory, curatorial and fiscal management responsibilities.
  • Have demonstrated success in fundraising, audience development and institutional  planning.
  • Inspire a commitment to excellence in all aspects of the Center’s programming and operations.

COMPENSATION: The salary will be based on the experience and competencies of the final candidate.

START DATE: Spring 2018

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION:
Applicants should submit a resume, a one-page narrative describing interest and experience as well as the names of three references. Applications will be reviewed by Management Consultants for the Arts, an executive search firm working with the museum’s Board of Directors.

Send applications via email to Management Consultants for the Arts, Linda Sweet or Bill Appleton care of MCAWall2@gmail.com

 

About This Job

  • Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art
  • Peekskill, NY
  • Category: Professional
  • Posted: December 12, 2017