Current Opportunities

Brandywine Workshop and Archives Seeks Executive Director

About Brandywine Workshop and Archives

Founded in 1972, Brandywine Workshop and Archives (BWA) is a mission-driven, nonprofit cultural institution that produces and shares art to connect, inspire, and build bridges among global communities.

BWA's creative expression is fostered through collaboration and processes that employ conventional as well as new technologies.

Located in the historic landmark Firehouse Building on South Broad Street, the "Avenue of the Arts" in Philadelphia, BWA houses a Permanent Collection which includes prints made by the more than 450 artists who have been in residence at BWA to date. Over 1,100 prints have been published by BWA in limited editions as screen prints, woodcuts, lithographs, monographs, collages, and mixed-media approaches. The building also houses Bob Blackburn Collection, Paper and Media Archives, and the Ruth Fine Library. To share its diverse, contemporary art with communities across the country, BWA donates, or through a combination of gift/purchase, Visiting Artist prints to establish "Satellite Collections" across the country and provides access to its collections through Artura.org, a free and open on-line educational resource. In addition, BWA offers a variety of programs including visiting artist residencies, exhibitions, internships, and ArtistsNConversation webinars.

BWA's current strategic plan focuses on three primary goals:

• Achieving self-sustainability by reaching 75% self-funding for core operations through endowment and all earned revenues.
• National recognition for elevating the medium of printmaking as an expressive artform through innovation, invention, and the inclusion of talented artists regardless of race, heritage, sexual orientation, or age.
• National recognition as a leader in diversity-driven programming and audience-building that serves the cultural and educational demands of the widest possible public.

In addition to the Executive Director position, BWA employs seven full- and part-time staff, engages several interns annually, and partners with several service providers. With an annual operating budget of approximately $1,000,000, BWA is overseen by a 15-member Board of Directors comprised of national business leaders, artists, and art enthusiasts.

About the Transition

BWA has been led by its award-winning artist-printmaker, educator, and arts manager, Alan Edmunds, since he founded the organization over 50 years ago! Over a five-decade career, Edmunds has been driven to create wider access for artists of color and their art in institutions, and to document, broadly, their contributions to global culture. In 2022, Allan announced his retirement from the Executive Director position, and until a hire is made, BWA is being co-led by two senior staff members.

For the next one to two years, Allan will be engaged by and report directly to the Board of Directors as a special advisor. In that capacity, Allan will support BWA's $5 million Legacy Campaign, and he will also provide mentorship, guidance, and introductions for the new Executive Director on an as needed basis.

Opportunity Going Forward

The Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead an historically significant, well-established, and highly regarded nonprofit with an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts and with an ambitious strategic plan to expand its impact and secure its long-term sustainability. In addition to overseeing all programs, operations, finances, and staff members, high priorities for the Executive Director include:

• Navigating the transition from a highly regarded and well-known founding leader, ensuring that existing and strong relationships with artists, collaborators, donors, and partners are maintained and grown.
• Supporting the Board of Directors and the founding Executive Director to complete the next phase of the 2021-25 BWA 2.0 strategic plan and Legacy Campaign.
• Evaluating and potentially altering BWA's structure, reporting relationships, policies, and procedures to ensure the organization is optimally designed to ensure staff, fellows, interns, artists, and collaborators are well-supported to contribute fully to BWA's success.
• Developing and executing a robust public relations and marketing strategy to expand awareness of BWA and to maximize outreach through the Satellite Collections, exhibitions, and Artura.org.
• Networking extensively to promote and raise the visibility of printmaking by emerging and established artists.
• Improving the professional care of the archives and expanding their use in exhibitions and accessibility to the public.
• Leading, empowering, and mentoring a team of committed, mission-driven staff members while also professionalizing BWA's human resource practices.
• In addition to supporting the Legacy Campaign, developing an annual fundraising plan and serving as a primary fundraiser for BWA.
• Supporting the Board of Directors to diversify its membership and transition its oversight from a founding leader to its first external leader.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate

Credentials:

• A minimum of five years of senior leadership, or equivalent experience, preferably at an arts-based organization.
• Knowledge of, passion for, training in, or experience with the arts and/or printmaking.
• Prior experience and cultural competence engaging with and supporting diverse communities

Skills and Qualities:

Entrepreneurial, Passionate, and Innovative Arts Leader

• An entrepreneurial mindset with the desire to innovate and experiment.
• Intellectually curious with the ability to consider options and make choices that collectively benefit the entire organization.
• Strategic and independent thinker who can clarify and operationalize BWA's strategic direction, expand BWA's demographic reach, and monetize its resources.
• Passionate about BWA's history and mission with the desire and ability to expand its geographic reach locally, nationally, and internationally.

Consummate Relationship Builder, Networker, and Collaborator with Excellent Communication Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with diverse audiences to develop and sustain meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships across the arts community, particularly with printmakers.
• A networker and connector able to build relationships and create goodwill with artists, collaborators, donors, collectors, and many communities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage others in support of BWA.
• Strong public relations and marketing skills with the ability to tell BWA's unique and important story compellingly.

Engaged Leader of People and Culture

• A people person with high emotional intelligence able to create an organization-wide culture that is encouraging, open-minded, inclusive, and collaborative.
• Active listener graciously willing to consider all opinions, make informed decisions, and delegate responsibility.
• Experienced at hiring, onboarding, mentoring, motivating, and developing professional staff.
• Understand and/or personally represent the lived experiences of the communities served by BWA, particularly artists of color.
• Skilled at developing and leveraging a Board of Directors to advance BWA's mission.

Arts Administrator Skilled at Developing and Utilizing Resources

• Experience evaluating and creating the organizational structure, systems, policies, and procedures needed to maximize the contribution of a small staff, interns, and participating artists.
• A fundraiser and income generator able to develop and execute a comprehensive revenue plan that relies on diverse income streams such as grants, private donations, in-kind gifts, and income generating initiatives.
• Prior experience leading and funding an organization of similar or larger size and scale.
• Financial acumen with the ability to manage budgets and financial reporting.

Compensation:

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with a starting salary range of $85,000 to $105,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications. BWA is currently operating as a hybrid organization.

Application Process and Additional Information

BWA is an equal opportunity employer and views diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence as vital guiding principles in its work. BWA welcomes and encourages applications from visible minority group members, Indigenous persons, members of the LGBTQ community, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the diversity of the organization and reflect the diversity of the communities served.

Candidate must include a resume and a cover letter that describes how qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of BWA. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Upload required documents to: https://eostransitions.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

This executive search is being conducted by Eos Transition Partners consultant, John Tarvin. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential, and any questions can be submitted to John at: jtarvin@eostransitions.com.