OVERVIEW

The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR) seeks an enterprising, bilingual Executive Director with exceptional leadership, fundraising and management skills to lead the Museo as it enters the next phase of its development, and to complete its full recovery from the 2017 hurricane. The Board of Trustees will partner with and support an excellent communicator and leader capable of expanding fundraising, establishing new donor relations, strengthening MAPR programs, and growing audience and community engagement. The next Executive Director will build on the Museo’s international reputation of collecting and presenting the art of Puerto Rico from the 17th century to the present, including Puerto Rican diaspora artists, and wide-ranging special exhibitions. 

The Executive Director will lead a dedicated staff in presenting a robust exhibition schedule, education and special programs, and collections-conservation services at one of the finest museums on the Island. In addition to managing the staff and daily operations, he/she will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of programming, collecting, and community engagement. This directorship is a unique opportunity to make a difference and to lead at a time of cultural rebirth and advancement on the Island.

About the MAPR. The MAPR was incorporated as a private nonprofit organization in 1996.  It opened in 2000 after an extensive renovation of San Juan’s historic Municipal Hospital, which had been designed by the architect William H. Shimmelphening in 1920. Its restoration was part of a $52-million government-funded initiative to preserve Puerto Rican art for the enjoyment of future generations. Today the MAPR comprises 130,000 square feet of space including 22 exhibition galleries over five floors distributed between the renovated historical building and the new east wing addition. There is an art conservation lab, on-site art storage, and a 400-seat auditorium adjoining an impressive atrium. Its beautiful grounds and outdoor sculpture garden are a park-like haven within the thriving Santurce district of San Juan.

The MAPR has averaged 100,000 visitors per year and is one of Puerto Rico’s major cultural assets, providing educational resources for the island’s youth and adults, and serving as a tourism destination. The Museo serves the people of Puerto Rico as well as international visitors, providing a robust exhibition schedule and diverse public-education programs for families, youth and adults. Education is at the core of the MAPR’s mission. The Museo is dedicated to hands-on learning experiences in the activARTE education galleries, funded by the Fundacion Angel Ramos, and in its art studios and research center. The lower level, which houses the education and research centers, will be undergoing restoration. The Artist Assistance Program (PROA) provides services, creative projects, and alliances promoting Puerto Rican artists.

The MAPR’s annual budget is about $5 million and the building and grounds are now fully owned by a charitable, tax-exempt nonprofit trust. The Museo has a staff of 30 full-time employees and its Board of Trustees consists of 21 members. The Museo received AAM accreditation in 2012 and is a member of AAMD. http://www.mapr.org/en

Hurricane Maria Impact. Fortunately the Museo building was spared significant damage during Hurricane Maria and is open and fully operating. The grounds surrounding the Museo will undergo restoration, and the education center, which experienced flooding, will be rebuilt. Following the hurricane, the conservation laboratory temporarily and generously provided a safe haven for other museums’ collections, further evidencing the Museo’s spirit of collaboration and service.

Exhibitions and Collection. The MAPR features dynamic, innovative permanent and temporary exhibitions, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore works from a wide variety of artists and historical periods and themes, including recent developments in Puerto Rican and international art. Its galleries are beautifully proportioned and include two large, flexible temporary-exhibition spaces. The sculpture garden has been an important asset in the Museo’s urban center location and includes koi ponds, fountains, and creative landscaping as a context for sculpture, a haven for relaxation, and a venue for special events from weddings to family days. 

As a museum opened in the 21st century, the MAPR’s acquisitions program is ongoing, and building the collection is considered a fundamental pillar of strengthening the cultural legacy of Puerto Rico. The MAPR’s collection features art by Puerto Rican master artists as well as contemporary artists. Currently, this young collection has more than 1,000 works of art and includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, photographs, prints and new media spanning the history of Puerto Rican art. The collection has grown through acquisitions and donations from both the private and public sectors and includes the finest examples of works by historical and contemporary artists. In addition, MAPR has collaborated with the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena by exhibiting loans and exhibitions from the Instituto’s important collection of historic Puerto Rican art.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required
The next Executive Director should have the following qualities and credentials:
• Exceptional leadership and management skills; entrepreneurial and a strategic thinker with vision.
• Proven fundraising expertise including private, corporate, government and foundation support and grant writing.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a leadership/administrative position, such as directing a museum or cultural institution or a significant department in a large institution, or other significant, relevant business or nonprofit management, fundraising and/or leadership experience.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to be the chief spokesperson and advocate in the community.
• Actionable contacts in the museum, art, cultural and donor sectors, particularly in Puerto Rico and the US Mainland.
• Bilingual Spanish/English fluency is essential.
• Master’s degree preferred as a minimum education requirement.
• Primary expertise in visual art is preferred.
• Passion and appreciation for the culture, art and history of Puerto Rico and the role Puerto Rican art plays in the context of international art.

Summary Position Description
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director is responsible, with the Board, for the MAPR’s overall strategic direction and mission.  The mission of the MAPR is “to enrich the lives of its diverse audiences by making accessible and promoting the knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of visual arts from Puerto Rico and the world.” The Executive Director will lead the staff, and partner with the Board, as the Museo moves into the next phase of its development and service to the community and region following recovery from the impact of Hurricane Maria. The Executive Director leads planning, artistic and institutional vision, and administration of the daily operations. Financial management and oversight, fundraising, and personnel management are essential responsibilities, along with community, donor, government and Board relations. Primary responsibilities include:

Management and Leadership
• Direct museum operations and programs. 
• Develop opportunities to grow support and revenues, build audiences, and strengthen community impact.
• Manage the staff of about 30 full-time employees.
• Prepare, and operate within, the Board-approved annual operating budget and capital budgets.
• Oversee the renewal of the education center and the garden.

Fundraising
• Lead the development of philanthropic activities. Identify, cultivate, solicit and build relationships with key donors, funders, members and supporters. In particular, enhance private sector giving from individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Interact with the US Mainland support base to build new channels of private support.
• Oversee fundraising events. 
• Cultivate collectors and collection supporters to enhance the permanent collection and encourage acquisition gifts. 

Mission and Program
• Lead development of strategic plans and programs, best museum practices and policies to ensure the continued advancement and reputation of the Museo and to maintain AAM accreditation.
• Oversee concept development, planning and presentation of exhibitions, education and public programs.
• Oversee the permanent collection and its growth and development including acquisitions, collection refinement and conservation.
• Oversee creative program development aimed at educating, broadening and increasing audiences.
• Engage with and become part of the community, to advance the mission.

Public Awareness, Marketing and Communication
• Work with staff to develop marketing and communications strategies.
• As the chief spokesperson, serve as the public face of the MAPR; advocate for and promote the art, programs, mission and vision.
• Develop key relationships with the media, government leaders and other influencers in the community to advance the mission and goals.

Staff Management and Board Relations
• Hire and manage staff. Mentor and develop staff expertise and capabilities.
• Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees.
• Ensure administrative support for Board committees.

The position comes with a competitive salary, benefits, and a location in a major city with many cultural and recreational amenities. For additional information and updates:
http://museumsearchandreference.com/open-searches/

About San Juan and the Region
San Juan is a vibrant major American city where art, music, food, creativity, and the richness of culture come together. A 2013 book, Art Cities of the Future, compiled by an international group of curators, cited San Juan as one of “The 12 Cities that Will Shake Up the Art World In the 21st Century.”

A city of 400,000 people with a metropolitan region of 2 million, San Juan is ranked in the top 50 cities in the US by population and in the top 30 by metropolitan area. San Juan is home to artists and museums, musicians and performance venues, and the city offers theater and major classical, operatic, and contemporary music events. Its vibrant nightlife includes exceptional traditional and international dining. Area colleges and major universities, including medical, dental and law schools, provide an intellectual atmosphere across all sectors of business, technology, the sciences, medicine, the arts and humanities, as well as offering public lectures and events.

Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage from Hurricane Maria when it struck September 20, 2017. Though recovery was initially slow in many parts of the island, Puerto Rico is well on its way to full recovery (97% of power is restored to the island), and federal disaster-relief funding is flowing to restoration projects and reconstruction is well underway. San Juan is fully functional with businesses and daily life back to normal, though isolated areas of the island continue to face difficulties.

The MAPR is located in the Santurce district of San Juan, the busiest and most populated district that is transforming into a hip, younger urban area. It is the location of the business center of the city and the major cultural attractions of San Juan.

San Juan has excellent primary and secondary schools, with some offering bilingual or English-language curricula. San Juan is a major airlines hub, offering nonstop flights to Mainland major cities and Europe, has robust economic development and industries including biotechnology, and aerospace. Its situation as an ocean port means it encompasses both industry and waterfront recreation. The city’s architecture includes modern developments, traditional neighborhoods, and the Old San Juan historic district with its well-preserved homes and Spanish fortifications dating to 1521.

The historical city of Ponce, the second largest city in Puerto Rico, is 90 minutes away. Its historic architecture is a draw along with its many cultural attractions, including the Museo de Arte de Ponce, with its collection of European and world art.

Major industries of Puerto Rico include pharmaceuticals, textiles, petrochemicals, and electronics; followed by finance, insurance, real estate, and tourism. Puerto Rico features scenic mountains surrounded by coastal regions. Families will find outdoor and recreational amenities include swimming, sailing, hiking, cycling and many festivals. El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rain forest in the US Park Service, is within an hour’s driving distance from San Juan.

http://www.seepuertorico.com

Nominations and Applications are Welcome
This is a unique and highly attractive opportunity to lead the continued success of a stable, healthy, rising AAMD-member museum that is one of the most important cultural institutions of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.  Recent professionals from the MAPR and the Museo de Arte de Ponce have been hired to head major US Mainland art museums.  Nominations and applications are welcome in strict confidence by contacting Dan Keegan or Marilyn Hoffman at searchandref@museum-search.com. 

How to Apply
All applications and nominations are kept confidential. Email cover letter and résumé (Word documents preferred), salary requirement, and names of 3 references with contact information by September 3, 2018 to: Dan Keegan and Marilyn Hoffman, Museum Search and Reference, searchandref@museum-search.com. EOE. References will not be contacted without prior permission of the applicant.