Asian Arts Initiative Seeks Executive Director

Reports to: The Board of Directors
Application deadline: April 15, 2018

Asian Arts Initiative is a multi-disciplinary, community-based arts organization founded with the belief that the arts can provide an important voice for telling the stories of Asian Americans and building relationships among diverse groups of people.

Located in Philadelphia’s vibrant Chinatown North, Asian Arts owns its multi-tenant arts facility, which includes a gallery and exhibition space, a black box theater, a multi-media lab and library and workshop and office space.

Asian Arts’ full calendar of programming is centered around building community, supporting Asian American artists and gaining greater cross-cultural understanding through the arts. With exhibitions, performances and community projects, Asian Arts provides an inclusive gathering place for conversation and exchange of ideas. Community-based arts initiatives seek out and cultivate innovative models for artists to engage with local communities, with a particular emphasis on working in partnership with the immediate neighborhood.

Now approaching its 25th anniversary, Asian Arts Initiative recently adopted an ambitious strategic plan that renews the organization’s commitment to racial equity and social justice, and outlines the next phase of growth and development of programs including exciting new exhibitions, multidisciplinary performances and City wide events, artist residencies and commissions, youth and education workshops,
and neighborhood placemaking work.

The Position

The Executive Director is the chief executive and artistic officer of Asian Arts Initiative, reporting to the Board of Trustees through the Chairman. S/he oversees a staff working in partnership with the Board, staff, and community members to execute Asian Arts Initiative’s mission.

The Executive Director will be an entrepreneurial, optimistic, respectful and consensus-building ambassador, partnering extensively with internal and external stakeholders. At the same time, the Executive Director will provide visionary leadership, driving discussion toward consensus, and action, to advance the artistic, social and racial justice mission of the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the Executive Director is to implement strategies to ensure organizational sustainability. This includes the formation of strategy to achieve, and oversight of organizational efforts to ensure, satisfaction of the following goals:

Increase and sustain contributed revenue through a robust fundraising effort focused on the cultivation of support from individuals, foundations, corporations and government sources.
Enhance the organization’s marketing and communications efforts, with the goal of expanding audiences and promoting Asian Arts Initiative’s public image.
Develop and oversee financial instruments (both operating and capital), in partnership with the CFO, to monitor and report on the organization’s financial performance.
Hire, supervise, support, mentor and motivate a professional staff, who implement operations, fundraising, marketing and financial management in support of artistic, educational and community programs.
Develop and maintain business policies and procedures that ensure the efficient and professional operation of the organization.
Engage and manage effective, enjoyable relationships with board members to maximize their participation in Asian Arts Initiative and their contribution toward its success and growth.
Additional Responsibilities

In addition, the Executive Director:

Provides creative and innovative leadership for the continued enhancement of Asian Arts’ programmatic, educational, and community development activities consistent with its mission. The Executive Director is chiefly a top-level curator of the overall programmatic identity of the institution, cooperating extensively with programming staff and community partners to ensure that the multi-arts facility is a robust and responsive resource for the community. In this sense, the Executive Director is not a traditional ‘artistic director’, while s/he will nonetheless play an important curatorial role in the overall programmatic direction of the institution.
In partnership with the Board of Directors, provides strong organizational leadership to drive strategic planning efforts and set the overall vision and direction for Asian Arts Initiative.
Enhances Asian Arts’ visibility by building strong relationships and partnerships with appropriate cultural and civic organizations, government officials and community leaders, including participation in high profile community activities, speaking engagements and social events.
Will effectively navigate between hyper-local conditions presented by the fast-changing neighborhood of Chinatown North, the remarkable cultural wealth of greater Philadelphia, and the richness and diversity of the Asian American contemporary art environment in the United
States.

Qualifications

Asian Arts Initiative seeks a thoughtful and responsive leader, capable of understanding and supporting the needs and expectations of the board, artists, staff, and the diverse communities of Chinatown North and the greater Philadelphia metro area.

Strong candidates will have the following experience and capabilities:

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in non-profit management or related field preferred.
Commitment to upholding a strong organizational culture by leading with the values of Asian Arts Initiative and dedication to inspiring and mentoring the staff.
Successful experience in a management and/or senior leadership position within a cultural or community-based organization. Candidates with a deep knowledge of Asian American arts and culture (traditional and contemporary), with substantial experience in the areas of community engagement, community development, and/or advocacy, but without experience managing a cultural institution, will be considered.
Proven ability to work with a Board of Directors to maximize participation and engagement.
Proven fundraiser with a polished, personable, welcoming style and a natural relationship- builder with experience securing significant gifts from individuals, as well as foundation, government and corporate grants.
Experience working in, or broad knowledge of, the greater Philadelphia cultural community preferred, but not required.
Demonstrated experience in providing marketing leadership to increase organizational visibility and earned income.
General management experience with a strong understanding of finance, budgeting, information systems, human resources and facilities management.
Demonstrated ability to move organizational projects forward in an inclusive and streamlined manner.
Proven track record of success facilitating organizational change and development within a growing organization.
Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Track record of growing another organization or business by developing staff and organizational capacity.
Strong knowledge of national trends and best practices and a great appreciation for the arts, and, in particular, contemporary Asian American culture.
Compensation

The salary and benefits will be competitive with other companies of comparable stature and size.

To Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to send a resume, cover letter, salary requirements, and at least three
professional references to:
Lucy Doughty
LCPope@DeVosInstitute.net

Recommendations of qualified individuals are welcome and should be forwarded to:
Lucy Doughty
LCPope@DeVosInstitute.net
No phone calls, please.