THE NEW ROLLINS MUSEUM OF ART
In a community offering many cultural experiences, the Rollins Museum of Art (RMA) remains unique in the breadth of its collection, the focus on education, and providing free access to all. To serve its educational mission and the wider community better, Rollins College has been planning for a new museum building, which will be located in downtown Winter Park across from The Alfond Inn. The new RMA facility, designed by Frederick Fisher & Partners, will serve as a cultural hub and a full-fledged community resource for residents, a destination for art lovers from near and far. It will comprise 31,000 square feet of exhibition and educational programming space, plus a separate auditorium and events space.
The $30 million museum building is part of a larger Rollins College project: the Innovation Triangle, which also comprises a new building for the Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business and The Alfond Inn, which houses a rotating display of The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, a significant part of the RMA’s collection. Groundbreaking for the new RMA is planned for fall 2025 and construction will take approximately two years.
The next Director of the RMA will have the unique opportunity to spearhead planning for transition of the RMA team, collections, exhibitions, and programs from the current site on campus to a new purpose-built museum facility. The more easily accessible location in downtown Winter Park will provide the RMA with a new and significant platform to expand its programs and exhibitions, so that the museum can continue to serve the Rollins community of students, faculty, and staff, as well as engaging with a broader audience in the region. The next Director will have a chance to raise the profile of the RMA and heighten its impact as an educational and cultural resource.
ABOUT THE RMA
A premier teaching and destination museum vital to the cultural fabric of the Rollins campus and community, the RMA features rotating exhibitions, ongoing programs, and an extensive permanent collection that spans centuries. The bulk of the diverse and growing collection consists of two-dimensional art (over 700 paintings from the 14th through the 21st centuries, and over 2000 works on paper – prints, drawings, and photographs), as well as three-dimensional objects (sculpture, decorative, and archaeological artifacts). Collection strengths lie in European, American, and contemporary art from the Renaissance to today.
ABOUT ROLLINS COLLEGE
Rollins College is one of the best and most distinctive independent, comprehensive liberal arts colleges in the country. U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked Rollins among the top two regional universities in the South. A member of the prestigious Associated Colleges of the South and the Annapolis Group, Rollins offers rigorous applied learning of the highest quality.
ABOUT WINTER PARK, FL
Located just three miles north of Orlando in Orange County, the city is 10-square miles with over 30,000 residents. Winter Park is known for its Old-World charm, elegant homes, quaint bricked streets, extensive tree canopy, first-class shopping and dining experiences, world-class museums, and Rollins College.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost, the Director will have primary responsibility for managing staff, overseeing the Museum’s annual $3.1M budget, establishing a strategy and a consistent exhibition schedule, conserving and displaying the permanent collection, and coordinating external and internal speakers and events, as well as overseeing all educational programming, in collaboration with the Curator and Curator of Education. Together with the RMA Board of Visitors, the director will recommend acquisitions and actively pursue external funding sources. Further, this position has a strong component of and requirement for fundraising done in collaboration with and support from the Office of Institutional Advancement.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
While it is understood that no one candidate will bring every desired skill, characteristic, and experience, the following offers a reflection of the ideal candidate profile.
Education:
An advanced degree in art or art history, museum studies, museum education, or other relevant field, or equivalent training and professional experience is preferred.
Strategic and Visionary Leadership
At least five years of relevant and progressively responsible experience in museum planning, development, and management. A collaborative leader with high EQ (emotional intelligence) who has been successful working with a range of constituents to define and refine long-term institutional goals, creating and executing new strategic plans. Genuine and broad intellectual interests and openness to new ideas, thinking, perspectives, and experiences, with the ability to serve as an effective thought leader in weaving these concepts directly into the work of an institution. The successful candidate understands how the museum provides an integral component of the College’s educational mission.
Collaboration and Engagement
The Director will excel in fostering and stewarding collaborative relationships with internal and external partners and constituents, both within the Rollins community and beyond. Warm and approachable, they will develop and nurture an active network of cultural and educational partners; they will strengthen connections with community members through strategic initiatives and fundraising efforts, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
An Effective Fundraiser
A commitment to building bridges and partnerships, with experience in working with other community-wide cultural and educational institutions. Enthusiastic about the opportunity to partner with college administration, faculty, and students. The successful candidate possesses personal and professional integrity of the highest degree, great comfort level operating in the public arena which includes valuing outward engagement, is at ease with people, and accepts the public demands made upon a leader with visibility in the community. Understanding of fundraising principles and strategy with experience building philanthropic relationships. Able to provide high-touch engagement with a range of constituents. Capable of cultivating major gifts from individual donors and stewarding significant past and current donors, while also identifying and connecting with potential supporters.
Passion for the Mission
Deep personal interest in art with a nuanced appreciation for the evolving role of museums, especially the distinct roles of campus-based institutions, and an active voice as part of this conversation. Knowledge of and commitment to art, art history, and museums. A high level of enthusiasm for art and its role, purpose, and opportunities in today’s world, and a desire to engage the community using an interdisciplinary lens, with and through art.
Operational Excellence and Financial Management
Expertise in the principal functions of art museums and best practices in the field. Experience leading teams effectively (including “managing by influence”). Knowledge of and experience with the funding models and strategies of multifaceted cultural institutions, including private as well as public funding. A strong record of successful oversight and management of finance and operations, with the perspective to consider the impact of decisions and make sound recommendations.
Commitment to an Inclusive Community
The successful candidate embraces Rollins’ promise to create an inclusive academic community. Rollins College is committed to generating and sharing knowledge as a community of learners. Rollins believes that broad variety of experience and points of view enhances critical thinking, and consequently the pursuit of knowledge. Rollins College values the talents, contributions, and backgrounds of its faculty, staff, and students.
Authentic Spokesperson and Adept Relationship Builder
An engaging, credible, and persuasive spokesperson to a range of external audiences locally, nationally, and beyond, underscoring the role of art and culture to these communities and across the field of art museums generally. A person drawn to an education institution promoting dialogue, conversation, and communication with others. An active and sensitive listener with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Facility connecting genuinely with audiences of varying levels of expertise, as well as the ability to plan and execute a successful marketing and communications strategy to elevate the profile of the RMA.
Culture Champion and Staff Leadership
Foster a positive working environment for the entire organization, enriching staff morale, and advancing an atmosphere of teamwork and mutual support among all staff. A person who encourages the engagement, growth, and achievement of others as an aspect of their leadership. Results-oriented with a collegial and collaborative working style.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range for this role is between $170,000 – $180,000. Compensation includes an excellent benefits package and is commensurate with experience.
CONTACT
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Naree W.S. Viner and Stephen Milbauer of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. To express interest in this role please submit your materials https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/21811, or email Stephen directly at smilbauer@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
To apply, visit: https://apptrkr.com/6073337
