Steven Durland
05-25-2006, 03:43 PM
Position Opening for Executive Director, Sarasota County Arts Council, Florida
Posted May 15, 2006: Closes June 30 or until hire is completed
A visionary, energetic Executive Director is needed to lead a dynamic organization at an important and exciting time in its development. Established in 1986, the Sarasota County Arts Council has long been instrumental in the development of a flourishing arts community. The Director will follow a 17-year veteran who led the organization to create many strong community partnerships.
What is the Sarasota County Arts Council? The mission of the Arts Council is to create an environment where the arts flourish. Since 1986, the Council has grown from a fledgling 501(c)(3) organization to a well-respected, mature advocate for the arts. Helping government officials understand the importance of the arts in education and economic development, the Council has a strong impact on public policy and helped increase funding for the arts. The Council is proud of its leadership in fighting local and statewide funding cuts. See more about the Council at www.sarasota-arts.org.
On behalf of the County’s Tourist Development Council, the Council administers over $1 million in grants annually and awards additional grants to individual visual and performing artists and small organizations. Collaborating with 60 arts organizations and nearly 1,000 artists, the Council produces the Arts Day festival, attended by 30,000 people. Other programs include Arts Education, Cultural Calendar, Artist Registry, Public Forums, hosting the Cultural Tourism Roundtable, convening the Cultural Executives Committee, producing publications and encouraging public art.
Where is Sarasota County? About 50 miles south of Tampa/St. Petersburg, Sarasota is often referred to as “Florida’s Cultural Coast.” Because of its theatres, symphony, opera, ballet, museums and galleries, Sarasota has become a preeminent arts destination internationally. The Council is at the heart of this vibrant community collaboration. The population is 360,000; another 600,000+ tourists and winter residents visit each year. In 2001, Money magazine ranked Sarasota as one of the top seven best places to live, and in 2000 designated Sarasota as the “Best Small City in America.”
What skills and experience does the position require? The Executive Director will move this already strong organization through its next stage of development. Critically important will be leading the Council’s board and staff to increase private financial support without undermining established philanthropic relationships of member organizations.
• Externally, the position requires strategic thinking, strong communication skills, effective creative problem solving and the ability to work with many different constituencies: government, artists, civic, business, cultural, education, members, contributors and sponsors. Funding for the Council comes primarily from membership and philanthropic contributions. Currently there are over 1200 members.
• Internally, the successful candidate will supervise, hire and motivate 5-7 staff. He or she will provide leadership in program direction, fundraising, grant writing, and membership development. Supervision of finance and budgeting processes to manage an annual $700,000 operating budget, plus demonstrating due diligence for the funds entrusted to the Council for management, is very key.
To apply: Salary and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications. Minimum requirements include a demonstrated interest in the arts, a Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years’ progressive responsibility in related fields. EOE. Send resume and cover letter in confidence to the Council’s search firm, Designs in Development, P.O. Box 4460, Seminole, FL 33776. Electronic submissions preferred to Arts ED, Search@ePhilanthropy.com. Call 1-800-411-1477 for info.
Posted May 15, 2006: Closes June 30 or until hire is completed
A visionary, energetic Executive Director is needed to lead a dynamic organization at an important and exciting time in its development. Established in 1986, the Sarasota County Arts Council has long been instrumental in the development of a flourishing arts community. The Director will follow a 17-year veteran who led the organization to create many strong community partnerships.
What is the Sarasota County Arts Council? The mission of the Arts Council is to create an environment where the arts flourish. Since 1986, the Council has grown from a fledgling 501(c)(3) organization to a well-respected, mature advocate for the arts. Helping government officials understand the importance of the arts in education and economic development, the Council has a strong impact on public policy and helped increase funding for the arts. The Council is proud of its leadership in fighting local and statewide funding cuts. See more about the Council at www.sarasota-arts.org.
On behalf of the County’s Tourist Development Council, the Council administers over $1 million in grants annually and awards additional grants to individual visual and performing artists and small organizations. Collaborating with 60 arts organizations and nearly 1,000 artists, the Council produces the Arts Day festival, attended by 30,000 people. Other programs include Arts Education, Cultural Calendar, Artist Registry, Public Forums, hosting the Cultural Tourism Roundtable, convening the Cultural Executives Committee, producing publications and encouraging public art.
Where is Sarasota County? About 50 miles south of Tampa/St. Petersburg, Sarasota is often referred to as “Florida’s Cultural Coast.” Because of its theatres, symphony, opera, ballet, museums and galleries, Sarasota has become a preeminent arts destination internationally. The Council is at the heart of this vibrant community collaboration. The population is 360,000; another 600,000+ tourists and winter residents visit each year. In 2001, Money magazine ranked Sarasota as one of the top seven best places to live, and in 2000 designated Sarasota as the “Best Small City in America.”
What skills and experience does the position require? The Executive Director will move this already strong organization through its next stage of development. Critically important will be leading the Council’s board and staff to increase private financial support without undermining established philanthropic relationships of member organizations.
• Externally, the position requires strategic thinking, strong communication skills, effective creative problem solving and the ability to work with many different constituencies: government, artists, civic, business, cultural, education, members, contributors and sponsors. Funding for the Council comes primarily from membership and philanthropic contributions. Currently there are over 1200 members.
• Internally, the successful candidate will supervise, hire and motivate 5-7 staff. He or she will provide leadership in program direction, fundraising, grant writing, and membership development. Supervision of finance and budgeting processes to manage an annual $700,000 operating budget, plus demonstrating due diligence for the funds entrusted to the Council for management, is very key.
To apply: Salary and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications. Minimum requirements include a demonstrated interest in the arts, a Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years’ progressive responsibility in related fields. EOE. Send resume and cover letter in confidence to the Council’s search firm, Designs in Development, P.O. Box 4460, Seminole, FL 33776. Electronic submissions preferred to Arts ED, Search@ePhilanthropy.com. Call 1-800-411-1477 for info.