Director, Weston Art Gallery

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. CAA’s Weston Art Gallery is acclaimed for its support of emerging and professional artists working in all media, locally and throughout the region. With galleries on two levels and 3,500 square feet of exhibition space, the Weston offers one-on-one assistance and support to artists to showcase their work in museum-quality environs through a diverse slate of exhibitions.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Weston Art Gallery Director position is a senior level role that collaborates closely with the President to support and further the mission and strategic objectives of CAA and the Gallery. The Director oversees the seamless operation and strategic direction of the Gallery, ensuring a dynamic and engaging presentation of artworks to the public. This role involves a blend of artistic vision and administrative acumen, as the Director curates exhibitions, fosters relationships with artists and steers the Gallery towards financial sustainability and cultural relevance. By balancing the educational aspects of the Gallery, the Director shapes an environment that not only showcases art but also stimulates dialogue and appreciation among diverse audiences. Through their leadership, the Gallery becomes a space where art is accessible, and its value to society is both celebrated and critically examined. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned.

• Hands-on in curating art exhibitions, including selecting artworks, scheduling, planning the layout, and coordinating installation (and de-installation) to ensure a cohesive and engaging visitor experience.

• Foster relationships with area arts institutions, educational institutions, artists, curators, and community organizations to enhance the Gallery’s reputation, expand its network, and secure new and exciting exhibitions that serve the community.

• Build awareness, encourage innovation, intellectual engagement, and collaboration within the community.

• Work in partnership with the Vice President-Development to secure funding through grants, sponsorships, and donations.

• Develop, prepare, and maintain the Gallery’s budget; map out a long-range strategy to balance the budget on an ongoing basis; ensure that the day-to-day operations and programs are efficiently administered in a fiscally responsible manner. 

• Collaborate with other leadership colleagues in reference to the marketing and promotion of the Gallery and its exhibitions, including advertising, public relations, and social media outreach to maximize attendance, engagement, and inclusion.

• Lead and manage Gallery staff, including hiring, training, and performance evaluation, to ensure a knowledgeable and motivated team; oversee Gallery volunteers.

• Oversee any additional campaigns developed for the Weston Art Gallery.

• Maintaining appropriate archives of each exhibition and arranging for documentation of each exhibition.

• Secure adequate insurance coverage for Gallery exhibitions

• Work in collaboration with the Weston Art Gallery Support Committee on the programming and mission of the Gallery.

• Advocate for the arts and participate in events as a representative of CAA and the Gallery.

• Attend CAA Board of Trustees meetings and report on Gallery happenings when necessary.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a related field or equivalent, and a minimum of ten years of related and successful experience; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skill, and abilities. 

• Knowledge of art history is crucial.

• A deep understanding of art and the arts community, the ability to compellingly articulate the Gallery’s vision and needs, and the agility to align these with the interests of funding bodies and philanthropic individuals are necessary.

• An ability to balance aesthetic appeal with educational value is essential for facilitating dialogue between viewers and the displayed pieces.

• Must be a proactive leader, highly creative, strategic, organized, resourceful and a visionary.

• A commitment to bringing cultural experiences to impassioned and initially indifferent audiences alike; an advocate for the Gallery and the arts who generates interest and enthusiasm for the role each can play in the lives of others.

• Demonstrated ability to be fiscally responsible.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a cohesive team.

• Ability to lead and think strategically.

• Ability to meet people with ease and interact equitably with staff, Board, and volunteers throughout the organization, and be comfortable with all forms of outreach.

• Ability to establish priorities, manage multiple tasks concurrently, work independently, and follow through with objectives.

• Ability to work under pressure while managing priorities and deadlines. 

• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail

• Proven leadership experience to supervise, motivate and mentor staff.

• Effective communication skills, both oral and written; interpersonal and customer-service skills

• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel

• Ability to work flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.

• Transportation required to commute for meetings/events outside the organization as needed.

Cincinnati Arts Association