Executive Director - AVA Gallery and Art Center : Job Details

Position Summary: Under the direction of a committed Board of Directors (Board), AVA's Executive Director (ED) leads a vibrant and well-established community arts organization that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023-24. Through collaboration and visionary leadership, the ED is responsible for building audiences and engaging donors, artists, and the broader community in AVA's ever-expanding work, making a significant impact on the local arts scene. The ED creates and supports balanced financial plans that continue to sustain AVA on a solid fiscal footing through fundraising and donor stewardship. The ED partners with the Board to bring strong management and people skills to maintain and support AVA's arts education and exhibition programs.

Key Responsibilities:

The Executive Director actively engages with and motivates AVA's staff and board members, volunteers, and other AVA community members to encourage a collaborative, mission-focused environment and expands educational opportunities for volunteers and leadership development for staff. This collaborative approach ensures a vibrant schedule of programs, classes, exhibitions, and events that further AVA's mission and goals. The ED also works with the Board and staff to develop strategies that position AVA as an advocate for the arts and as a leader in the Upper Valley arts and culture community. The ED is also a visible presence at AVA exhibitions, events, and classrooms.

The ED creates and executes comprehensive communication and marketing strategies to increase AVA's visibility and engage audiences of all ages in AVA's programming. A vital part of the ED's responsibilities, in partnership with the Board and the director of development, is to create a comprehensive and long-term development strategy for annual giving, membership, campaigns, fundraising events, grant writing, and donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The ED oversees long-term fiscal strategies and manages budgets, cash flow, and financial policies through best practices and solid organizational management, playing a crucial

role in AVA's financial stability.

The ED will provide strong leadership for the management, support, and future development of staff members, drawing out the skills and talents of staff to engage their creative thinking in the process of achieving AVA's ambitions. The ED will also oversee and manage the operations and maintenance of AVA's buildings and grounds, as well as necessary upgrades to the facilities to meet the needs of the organization. In the area of technology operations, the ED oversees all recordkeeping and communications systems and related vendors and personnel, including databases, software, internet/WIFI, etc. The ED supports AVA's commitment to environmental sustainability and to increasing diversity within the organization in terms of age, ethnicity, economic status, and underrepresented groups and welcomes all persons–regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.

Professional Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a strong background in all aspects of nonprofit management, with a keen interest in and deep connection to the visual arts. Qualified applicants will have experience managing multiple revenue streams, supervising and coaching staff, and positively engaging with AVA stakeholders, including donors, community members, and individual artists. A bachelor's degree is required, and a relevant advanced degree is preferred. The position requires solid personal communication skills and a proven track record in leadership, fundraising, organizational strategy, marketing, and community engagement. 7 – 10 years of

senior management experience with increasing levels of responsibility and 2 - 5 years of fundraising experience preferred.

To apply: Email resumé and letter of interest (both in PDF format) with at least three references to [email protected].

For more information:

AVA Gallery and Art Center Mission:

As a catalyst for creativity, AVA Gallery and Art Center (AVA) cultivates an openness of space and mind to inspire, nurture, and showcase the artistic spirit.

AVA serves its mission by maintaining vibrant artist studios and influential exhibitions and offering dynamic educational programming for artists of all ages and abilities. With an emphasis on building community, AVA also hosts and promotes special events that foster interaction between artists, patrons of the arts, and the general public. All our work is done with a priority of environmental sustainability and with the recognition that art enriches our lives. Located in downtown Lebanon, New Hampshire, just off the town's classic New England green, AVA is one of several vibrant arts and cultural institutions in Lebanon and the surrounding towns of the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont.