The Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) explores global arts and cultures with an emphasis on Africa, Asia, Pacific, and the Indigenous Americas - past and present. The Fowler Museum enhances understanding and appreciation of diverse peoples, cultures, and religions of the world through dynamic exhibitions, publications, and public programs informed by interdisciplinary approaches, scholarship, and perspectives of the cultures represented. The museum’s mission includes a strong focus on contemporary artistic production from its regions of focus, including complex issues of politics, culture, and social action. The Fowler Museum stimulates curiosity in and respect for cultural difference and artistic diversity by breaking new ground with subjects, artistic genres of all types, and experimental interpretive approaches. By bringing past and present global arts together, the Fowler Museum creates a space for different communities in Los Angeles and beyond to see themselves and come together.

Education and engagement activities are also vital to the museum’s mission and include programs that serve both the university and the broader community. University programs include interdisciplinary class visits and student-led performances. School programs provide K-12 students experiences that demonstrate the power of global arts and cultures via UCLA student guided and self-guided experiences. Teacher programs and curriculum guides offer resources for all educators in the Los Angeles area and beyond to strengthen global arts and humanities education. Family programs foster positive interactions and collaboration between children and adults through the power of global arts by live performances and hands-on art projects. The Fowler also launched an initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment to engage the topic of lived religion in the 21st century museum. The project connects with local communities in Los Angeles to discuss and understand ritual and visual expressions of faith, how they could be portrayed or discussed within a museum context, and to support new exhibitions, public programs, and digital initiatives. The project draws on the museum’s research and work on the intersections of art and religion and its extensive collections of objects of religious worship from around the world.

The Fowler Museum current employs 35 full-time and part-time career staff, nine contract employees, and approximately 35 students in various museum departments including the Fowler Museum store. The Museum’s annual operating budget is approximately $5.5 million. The Director’s direct reports include the Deputy Director, Chief Curator, Director of Exhibitions, Director of Education and Interpretation, Director of Development, and Director of Communications and Engagement. The Fowler boasts an active and dedicated membership, many of whom have been affiliated with the museum for decades. Of special note are two interest groups – the Textile Council and the Contemporary Council – that sponsor special programs and support exhibitions and publications in their respective areas. The Director may also call upon the support of the Advisory Council and the Fowler Fellows, two select groups consisting of respected individuals in the UCLA and local arts communities. The former serve on a voluntary basis and the latter are high level donors to the Fowler.

Roles and Responsibilities
Visionary Leadership and Strategic Direction

1. Lead the strategic planning, direction, and implementation of the museum as a public unit within the School of Arts and Architecture supporting its broader goals and the university in articulating a compelling vision for The Fowler as a 21st century museum and cultural destination.
2. Develop opportunities to support The Fowler’s mandate as a teaching resource providing oversight and management of senior staff to ensure ongoing scholarship and connection to both university and external stakeholders and audiences.
3. Prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in all areas of the museum with a focus on the critical storytelling that is needed to advance the anti-racist and post-colonial mission, vision, and values of The Fowler and UCLA.
4. Guide capital planning efforts so the museum’s facilities needs are met and collaborate with the Deputy Director to ensure the effective operation and maintenance of current facilities.
5. Build and maintain a high performing team; set clear direction; and mentor, evaluate and guide senior management to support a culture of excellence, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
6. In collaboration with Deputy Director, guide the activities of the senior team to ensure operating goals are set and met.
7. Establish systems to track progress and measure operational and organizational effectiveness, and communicate key metrics and performance indicators to the staff, Dean, and key stakeholders.
8. Work with Deputy Director to assure the necessary organizational structure, policies, systems controls, and procedures are in place and regularly reviewed for effectiveness.
9. Represent the museum on the UCLA Chancellor’s Council on the Arts and other councils and committees within the University.
10. Actively engage with a comprehensive network of museum professionals, scholars, artists, and collectors, participating in relevant meetings and organizations to support the museum’s mission and strategic goals.
11. Embrace other visionary leadership and strategic direction opportunities as needed."

Collections Care, Exhibitions, and Program Development

1. Ensure collection management policies and procedures are developed to create a sustainable plan for collection care and growth in the short- and long-term.
2. Confirm that collections care that is fully informed by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and other frameworks for repatriation and restitution as it relates to collections and exhibitions at the Fowler.
3. Integrate the Fowler Museum’s exhibitions and programs into the mission of UCLA and UCLA Arts and promote the use of both for research, scholarship, teaching, and community engagement.
4. Guide the development of institutional curatorial priorities, including exhibitions and collections care that address the short- and long-term needs of the museum and the community it serves with the highest curatorial and ethical standards of the field.
5. Develop relationships with foundation and other grant funding institutions to enhance the Museum’s research, exhibitions, and programs.
6. Develop relationships with scholars, artists, and institutions to support the creation and curation of vibrant exhibitions that build of The Fowler’s reputation and advance new scholarship and conversations within and beyond the field.
7. Leverage a broad range of programs to activate the museum’s mission, develop partnerships, and build a range of diverse audiences that inform The Fowler’s priorities with key partners in co-curating the visitor experience.
8. Embrace other collections care, exhibitions, and program development opportunities as needed.

Revenue Enhancement and Community Engagement

1. Serve as a positive spokesperson and ambassador for The Fowler in collaborating and interacting regularly with diverse students, faculty, staff, and visitors to elevate the museum’s international public profile.
2. Interact regularly with The Fowler’s advisory committee to ensure they actively engage in the future of the museum
3. Develop an active community presence, building positive connections and authentic relationships to understand opportunities for new initiatives and partnerships to support museum attendance and participation.
4. Serve as the chief fundraiser for the organization, transparently engaging proactively with the University Advancement team and The Fowler’s development staff.
5. Cultivate and steward major donors and prospects who will provide resources for ongoing growth and vibrancy for exhibitions, collections, and strategic initiatives.
6. Guide development activities with the Director of Development to maintain authentic and deep relationships with key funders and the donor community to support short- and long-term revenue goals.
7. Strengthen the museum’s brand through a clear and responsive communications strategy.
8. Build strong positive relationships with campus, civic, and cultural leaders to advance the interests and reputation of the museum ensuring that The Fowler serves as a vital cultural resource within Los Angeles community and beyond.
9. Embrace other revenue enhancement and community engagement opportunities as needed.

Summary
Reporting to the Dean of the School of Arts and Architecture, the Shirley and Ralph Shapiro Director has overall operational responsibility for the Fowler Museum at UCLA, the staff and activities in pursuit of its mission. A knowledgeable and visionary leader who is an enthusiastic collaborator, the Director will serve as the chief spokesperson, representing the museum and fostering connections within the university and across the greater Los Angeles community while also maintaining an active presence in the museum and cultural community regionally and nationally. They will have responsibility for the museum’s exhibition, collection, scholarship, and programs. They will lead, mentor, and develop a collaborative team while encouraging cross-departmental communication. The Director will provide leadership and strategic direction in support of the museum’s internal and external activities guided by a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

The Director will be a versatile leader who values knowledge production within arts, museum, university, and community contexts and who remains open to seeking new learning opportunities that meet and held define strategic priorities. This individual will be structured and organized, comfortable with scholarly knowledge while being open to seeking new learning opportunities that meet strategic priorities. The Director will be easily adaptable and will be able to comfortably shift their daily activities to respond to the changing needs of The Fowler’s many constituents while staying focused on key goals and objectives. With a passion for broad community engagement and public dialogue, the Director will be people-oriented and thrive in frequent interactions with diverse constituencies, partnerships, and collaborations.

Other key competencies include:
Leadership – The capacity to organize and motivate others to accomplish goals while creating a sense of order, direction, and active participation among a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Diplomacy and Appreciating Others – The dexterity to effectively and tactfully handle difficult situation and treat others fairly regardless of differences in maintaining positive relationships with genuine concern and appreciation for others.
Professional and Personal Accountability – The flexibility to prioritize and complete the tasks necessary to meet or exceed the agreed upon expectations of the role and to assume accountability for decisions and actions.
Continuous Learning – The creativity to take initiative, regularly adopt new concepts or technologies, and keep abreast of new information through listening, learning, reading, and engaging.
Time, Priority, and Project Management – The ingenuity to prioritize and complete competing yet complementary objectives, secure required resources, and engage people to achieve desired results within allotted time frames."

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