Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to be working on behalf of Manchester, VT-based Southern Vermont Arts Center on their search for a new Executive Director!

About Southern Vermont Arts Center

The mission statement of the Southern Vermont Arts Center is to promote and nurture the arts.

They do so by providing a meeting place in an inviting environment for their community to enjoy and participate in the arts – the community involves the children, young adults, full-time residents, summer residents, visitors, donors and artists. They do so by providing quality programming which reaches the many segments of the community at the Southern Vermont Arts Center campus and through the workshops and summer camps, and by providing their artist members an opportunity to grow in their artist endeavors by providing instruction, a place to exhibit their work, and the opportunity to sell their work.

Southern Vermont Arts Center is a steward of their assets – their endowment, their permanent collection, their campus and their legacy

Established in 1922, the Southern Vermont Arts Center provides cultural, educational, and creative opportunities for all ages, located within a four-hour drive of Boston, Montreal, and New York City.

Situated amid over one-hundred acres of pristine forest in the heart of the Green Mountains, SVAC offers a first-class experience in a traditional New England setting. With a rotating calendar of member and guest exhibitions, the largest sculpture park in Vermont, and a busy schedule of dynamic classes for all ages, the Southern Vermont Arts Center has something for everyone.

The drive into Southern Vermont Arts Center winds through a spectacular sculpture park.  Visitors can explore the twenty-eight room Yester House Gallery, built in 1917, home to diverse exhibitions featuring many mediums by member artists.  Across the courtyard, the contemporary Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum offers one of the East Coast’s finest exhibition spaces outside a major city and boasts over 800 pieces of 19th and 20th-century art, including the world’s largest collection of works by Luigi Lucioni.

A wide range of workshops and ongoing programs are offered year-round on campus in the Hay Madeira Education Center Studios. Programming is created for all ages and all skill levels.  In the summer, the 400 seat Arkell Pavilion is regularly filled with audiences entertained by a variety of performing arts encompassing everything from dance and classical music to theater.  The Center is also home to Café Sora, which features family-style Japanese cuisine, and has multiple venues available for private events.

More information about Southern Vermont Arts Center may be found at http://svac.org.

The Manchester, VT Community*

The Southern Vermont Arts Center is located near the center of Manchester, VT.  Manchester offers a unique blend of New England charm, and is a popular four-season destination.  Manchester is the perfect place for adventure-seekers and those looking to relax and unwind. Tucked between the Taconic and Green Mountain ranges, Manchester is a quaint, charming, four-season town with all the big city perks; world-class historic sites, award-winning cuisine at over forty eateries ranging from casual to fine dining, incredible galleries and museums, award-winning cultural venues, sophisticated shops, boutique accommodations,
and outdoor adventures for every skill level and taste.

Three acclaimed ski resorts are within easy distance – Bromley, Magic, and Stratton – and the area is well-known for its spectacular fall foliage.  Those who come to Vermont for the outdoors enjoy Southern Vermont Arts Center’s connection to the Equinox Preservation trails, as well as the many acres of woodland hiking. Even during the coldest months, you can find visitors snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing in the Southern Vermont Art Center’s renowned Sculpture Park.

Manchester is part of Bennington County.  As of the 2010 census, Manchester’s population was 4,391. The neighboring town of Dorset’s population is 2031. During the summer, the population expands dramatically with full-time summer residents.

Position Overview

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to create and execute a strategic vision for a historic multidisciplinary arts center!

Reporting to and working closely with the board of directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for the overall success and growth of Southern Vermont Arts Center. A visionary and entrepreneur, the Executive Director will enhance and elevate the vitality of the Center’s programs, engage and grow its member base, build a strong brand in Vermont and beyond, strengthen financial support through strategic partnerships, provide fiscal management, and oversee operations and marketing. As well, the Executive Director will lead and mentor the staff of 7 and a growing number of part-time and volunteers.

The Executive Director will oversee an annual budget of approximately $750,000 and an endowment of $3 million. The organization will, under the direction of the new Executive Director, launch a capital campaign in the near future.

As Southern Vermont Arts Center is a pillar of the rich cultural fabric in the area, the Executive Director will maintain an active presence in Manchester, working collaboratively with key stakeholders and leaders of other organizations in the arts and cultural community.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Thought-Leader

• The new Executive Director will create and implement a strategic plan that honors the Center’s history and existing success and builds on those to expand the program offerings and reach
• Conduct an assessment of existing programs, membership feedback, and best practices of similar organizations

Leadership & Management

• Provide leadership and management of all aspects of the organization
• Mentor and coach team members, providing opportunities for personal and professional development
• Model professional behavior, building a positive and inspiring organizational work culture

Fundraising & Financial Management

• Provide the vision for and execute a comprehensive plan for fundraising initiatives
• Oversee the administration of key fundraising activities
• Deepen the engagement of existing donors and expand donor base
• Assess and, as needed, implement fiscal controls to maintain the Center’s commitment to sound financial management and transparency

Brand-Building

• Oversee the Center’s marketing efforts, ensuring that the messaging and materials are consistent and highlight the mission and programs in an exciting, positive, and consistent manner
• Oversee the enhancement of the Center’s social media presence
• Represent Southern Vermont Arts Center at community events and arts/cultural forums
• Serve as the organization’s spokesperson in the media

Programming

• Enhance and expand the Center’s world-class offerings, including exhibits, programs, and educational pursuits

Board Relations

• Report to the Board of Directors, and builds a positive relationship with the Board
• Support the Board’s ability to function properly, providing updates and information on a regular basis
• Partner with the Board President to recruit new Board members as needed
• Work with various Board committees as needed in support of the strategic plan

Qualifications & Characteristics of the Ideal Candidate

The Executive Director will be a dynamic, charismatic, strategic, entrepreneurial, diplomatic, and resilient leader who can articulate a vision and plan of action for Southern Vermont Arts Center. A natural-born leader, the ideal candidate will be collaborative, encouraging engagement and fostering a sense of belonging among staff and volunteers. The Executive Director will be motivated, energetic, and comfortable affecting change and fostering a growth-mindset in an arts organization.

This leader will be a deeply committed champion of the arts, and passionate about the possibilities that exist for outstanding organizations like the Center.

To be considered, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) plus a minimum of ten to fifteen years of increasing responsibility in a senior management role. In addition, qualified candidates will possess:

• Extensive hands-on experience working in the arts, whether at a museum, arts center or similar multi-disciplinary arts organization
• Managing, mentoring and motivating a staff
• Success creating and implementing a strategic plan
• A track record of securing significant funding through stewardship of individuals, foundations, and corporations
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships within a local community as well as with other arts organizations
• Able to articulate strong business acumen
• Experience partnering with a board of directors

Compensation and Benefits

Southern Vermont Arts Center provides a competitive total compensation plan.

Applications and Inquiries

Please submit an electronic version of your letter of interest and resume to:

Cindy Joyce

CEO

Pillar Search & HR Consulting

(617) 529-7708

cindy@pillarsearch.com

Our Commitment

Southern Vermont Arts Center and Pillar Search & HR Consulting do not discriminate on the basis of an applicant’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

*Sources: svac.org / manchestervermont.com / Vermont.com