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  • Playlists For Your Plants (Yes, Really)

    While it’s been clearly demonstrated that plants respond to sound, the evidence about whether they’re affected by music, let alone which genres, is far from definitive. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of music for plants around; several streaming services even offer specially-programmed plant channels. – The Washington Post (MSN)

  • What Cancellation Of Big Bird Tells Us About The State Of Our Public Good

    The cancellation of Big Bird and co. would be a loss, but there’s something bigger going on. Sesame Street’s fate is symptomatic of a larger shift in how corporations, governments, and, increasingly, citizens have lost faith in the spirit of solidarity that made initiatives like the PBS show possible. – The Walrus

  • At Angkor Wat, A Buddha’s Head Gets Its Torso Back

    “Archaeologists in Cambodia are celebrating an unexpected find at the country’s centuries-old Angkor temple complex: the torso of a statue of Buddha that matches a head found nearly a century ago at the same site. The torso, believed to be from the 12th or 13th century, was discovered … last month.” – AP

  • Italy’s Politicians Fight Over Protecting Heritage

    The Italia Nostra heritage group warned that “downgrading interest in landscape” posed a “serious risk to the heritage of the widespread community”. – The Art Newspaper

  • Understanding Music Editing

    Like a page turner for a pianist or a sheet music librarian, music editor is the kind of job that only the idiosyncratic structures of classical music can produce. – The New York Times

  • Actors Unions Frustrated In AI Negotiations With Video Game Industry

    According to SAG-AFTRA, a recent proposal submitted by the major video game makers was filled with “alarming loopholes that will leave our members vulnerable to A.I. abuse.” – The Wrap

  • No American Play Is More Affected By The Shadows Of Its Previous Actors Than “Streetcar”

    And that doesn’t mean only Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh, though their shadows are the longest. Ben Brantley revisits some of the other prominent interpreters of the lead roles in A Streetcar Named Desire, from Faye Dunaway and Jon Voight to Gillian Anderson and Ben Foster. – The New York Times

  • Consolidating Culture To Death

    he past several decades have seen rampant consolidation via mergers and acquisitions across creative fields, all of it backed by rivers of Wall Street equity. In visual media, for example, there are just five major players (Comcast, Disney, Sony, Paramount, and Warner Bros). The music industry, meanwhile, has the big three labels. – Public Books

  • How Conquering Other Nations Came To Be Seen As A No-No

     It is rare to find anyone who will openly support the idea that annexing territory from another state, after forcibly conquering it, could be legitimate. Conquest exists, of course, but it is almost always disguised as something else. – Aeon

  • Imposter Syndrome Is Systemic

    Competency checking—whether intentional or unconscious—undermines those who challenge traditional norms of leadership and success. Imposter syndrome, however, masquerades as an internal failing, leading women to pathologize themselves rather than confront the systems perpetuating their struggles. – Time

  • Despite A False Start, Philadelphia Ballet’s New HQ Is Getting Built

    Wednesday saw the troupe visiting the construction site for a topping-out ceremony, at which the highest steel beam for the building’s roof was hoisted into place. The five-story, 43,000-square-foot dance center, budgeted at $37.5 million, is expected to be ready for move-in roughly a year from now. – The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)

  • How To Spot A Fake Masterpiece? Little Things Count

    The divergence of opinion between the museum’s experts and those who doubt the work’s authenticity opens a curious space in which to reflect on intriguing questions of artistic value and merit. Is there ever legitimacy in forgery? Can fakes be masterpieces? – BBC

  • Authors Mock Meta For “Bob Dylan Defense” In Copyright Case

    The authors mocked Meta for raising what they call “the Bob Dylan defense” of its torrenting, citing song lyrics from “Sweetheart Like You” that say, “Steal a little and they throw you in jail / Steal a lot and they make you king.” – Ars Technica

  • Spotify Is Paying Record Royalties. So Why Are Artists Unhappy?

    Streaming’s payment system, devised back when it generated so little money that the difference between 13% and 15% was almost irrelevant, is in dire need of revision. – Variety

  • French Authors And Publishers Sue Meta Over Its Use Of Their Material In Training AI

    “Three trade groups said they were launching legal action against Meta in a Paris court over what they said was the company’s ‘massive use of copyrighted works without authorization’ to train its generative AI model. (One group) noted that ‘numerous works’ from its members are turning up in Meta’s data pool.” – AP

  • What was I thinking?

    “There is no simple explanation for anything important any of us do, and the human tragedy, or the human irony, consists in the necessity of living with the consequences of actions performed under the pressure of compulsions so obscure we do not and cannot understand them.”

    Hugh MacLennan, The Watch that Ends the Night (1959).

  • They Thought It Was A Canaletto. Turns Out It Was Painted By His Teenaged Nephew

    The Grand Canal with San Simeone Piccolo (1737), housed at the Wallace Collection in London, has been reattributed to Bernardo Bellotto, who studied in his uncle’s workshop in the 1730s and early 1740s. – Artnet

  • Composer Sofia Gubaidulina, 93

    “(She) believed that it was Soviet repression which made her so powerful and distinctive a composer, though it was only after the fall of Communism that she became well known in the West, … becoming, in her 70s, one of the most sought-after composers in the world.” – The Telegraph (UK) (Yahoo!)

  • At The Rehab Center With Puzzlemaster Will Shortz

    The New York Times crossword editor and Sunday-morning NPR stalwart suffered two strokes a year ago. He came home from the hospital last April and has been hard at work on recovery ever since. New York mag restaurant critic Matthew Schneier tagged along for a therapy session. – New York Magazine (MSN)

  • Unpublished Ravel Work Gets Premiere From Dudamel And New York Phil

    “On Thursday, Dudamel and the Philharmonic will give the world premiere of the five-minute piece as part of a program celebrating the 150th birthday of Ravel. … The newly found piece, Sémiramis: Prélude et Danse, was written sometime between 1900 and 1902, when Ravel was in his late 20s.” – The New York Times

  • Trump Forces Out Chair Of NEH

    “Shelly C. Lowe, the first Native American to lead the National Endowment for the Humanities, has left her role at the direction of President Donald Trump. … The Senate confirmed her appointment in February 2022. The chair (normally) serves a four-year term, according to the agency.” – The Washington Post (MSN)

  • A Fully-Funded BBC World Service Is The Only Way To Counter Disinformation, Argue BBC Execs

    “Amid concerns about the scale of state-backed content after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, senior BBC figures believe it is ‘undeniable’ that the government should shoulder the costs of championing ‘western values’ via the financially strained World Service.” – The Guardian

  • Managing Director – Barrington Stage Company

    Position Profile

    About the Opportunity

    The Award-winning Barrington Stage Company (“BSC”) in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has initiated a search for a Managing Director. BSC’s Board plans to identify its choice for the position and engage the successful candidate by the late spring of 2025. The Managing Director will join in leading BSC to its next era of success and impact for its audiences, community and the American theatre profession more broadly.

    Barrington Stage has successfully transitioned from the pandemic and decades of success under the leadership of a charismatic founder. Its Managing Director will have the opportunity to partner with renowned director and Artistic Director Alan Paul and an engaged board in leading the company to its next era of success under a new co-executive team and financial structure that supports the company’s full artistic and organizational potential going forward.

    BSC’s Managing Director will help shape the company’s future and continue to strengthen its relationship to the increasingly diverse communities it serves. They will also seek opportunities to engage with a broad constituency by strongly supporting educational and community engagement initiatives for people of all ages and backgrounds.

    The successful candidate will have the opportunity to become the co-executive of a multi-faceted regional theatre with state-of-the-art facilities located in one of the most picturesque and vibrant regions of the country. They will be joining the leadership team of a company with a demonstrated history of creating and producing work that exhibits the highest production standards and a rigorous commitment to engage audiences in ways that bring new understanding to contemporary life and our common humanity. The successful candidate will be excited about engaging with the broader Berkshire community and supporting colleagues and constituents in advancing BSC’s interests in support of the arts and cultural community and those it serves at the local, regional and national levels.

    BSC’s Managing Director will be an individual who will help lead the company with a clear organizational vision that is aligned with that of the Artistic Director and the company’s mission. They will partner with BSC’s Artistic Director, Board and staff to support continuing organizational success that ensures BSC continues to respond successfully to the complex challenges that face theatres now and into the future.

    Competitive candidates will be accomplished arts administrators and will have a passion for BSC’s mission, and strong relationships throughout the theatre and arts communities. BSC’s Managing Director will be deeply committed to and have a demonstrable history of their commitment to institutional practices that encompass EDIA-based values and will foster systemic change that embeds equity, diversity, inclusion and access in all of BSC’s endeavors and relationships in support of BSC’s continued efforts to become an anti-racist organization. The search committee looks forward to interacting with organizational leaders from diverse backgrounds and varying experiences who have entrepreneurial instincts and social and artistic curiosity.

    About Barrington Stage Company

    Founded in 1995, Barrington Stage Company is one of the fastest-growing arts venues in Berkshire County. Today, BSC continues to gain national recognition for the quality of its productions, its award-winning educational programs and its broad civic engagement. With an annual operating budget of approximately $6.7 million for the current fiscal year, BSC attracts an audience of more than 30,000 each year to an average of eight stage productions and numerous concerts, cabarets and special events in three venues in downtown Pittsfield, MA.

    BSC first gained national prominence in 2004 with the world premiere of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. A runaway hit at BSC, the musical later moved to Broadway where it garnered significant acclaim and won two Tony Awards. Numerous BSC productions have been named among the top 10 productions of the year by various media outlets – leading The Boston Globe to laud BSC as “one of the jewels in the state’s crown.” BSC has been recognized by the profession for its artistic excellence and contributions to the field with countless awards and honors culminating in 2020 with BroadwayWorld Berkshires naming BSC “Theatre Company of the Decade”.

    Today, BSC is a cultural flagship for the region it serves and an economic driver for Downtown Pittsfield and surrounding communities. After decades of strategic growth, the theatre’s campus includes the 520- seat, state-of-the art Boyd-Quinson Stage, the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, home to the 136-seat St. Germain Stage and the 99-seat Mr. Finn’s Cabaret, the Wolfson Center, which houses BSC’s administrative offices, rehearsal rooms and costume shop in a prime location in downtown Pittsfield; and its Production Center, which houses its set, prop and paint shops.

    In addition to its heralded programs, BSC has become an integral part of downtown Pittsfield’s economic revitalization, so much so that the Massachusetts Cultural Council presented a “Creative Community” Commonwealth Award to the City of Pittsfield in recognition of its efforts to boost the creative economy in Massachusetts.
    Barrington Stage has been active for more than 15 years in developing and producing new works for the stage. It has produced over 40 premieres,18 of which have moved on to New York and/or major regional theatres around the country. BSC’s commitment to new work also includes the development and production of new musicals. The Musical Theatre Lab was created after BSC workshopped and premiered William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in response to musical theatre writers not having a home to develop their work. It has become an integral part of BSC’s commitment to support a broad spectrum of new musical works and writers that author them. Since MTL’s creation, 17 world premieres and 6 workshops of new musicals have been produced, and many have moved on to New York and various venues around the country.

    In addition to its award-winning work onstage, Barrington Stage has long been at the forefront of creating impactful educational and community engagement initiatives. Its robust educational programming is designed to “awaken the minds, imaginations and creative power of young people” by providing opportunities for them to experience the joy of live theatre as performers, technicians and audience members. Every year, BSC offers more than 250 classes and employs 40-50 teaching artists who work with 7,000 young people from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and lived experiences.

    BSC has long been at the forefront of addressing social justice issues onstage and off. In 2016, it’s production of American Son became the impetus for a symposium on race and bias throughout the communities it serves. In addition to its mainstage run, it played to more than 2,000 high school students who participated in talk backs with actors and BSC creative staff members throughout the tour. As part of its continuing efforts to join the community in addressing systemic racism, BSC launched its Black Voices Matter (BVM) Initiative to amplify BIPOC voices within its community and raise awareness of social justice issues. The BVM Initiative speaks to the racial climate in this country and the social, political and economic inequities facing communities of color. Building on BVM, in the summer of 2021, BSC produced a week-long “Celebration of Black Voices Festival” where BSC staff worked with local artists of color to present programs that celebrate their many talents.

    To learn more about BSC’s programming, educational initiatives and ongoing community engagement efforts, go to https://barringtonstageco.org/.

    BSC’s Mission, Values and Guiding Principles

    Mission

    Barrington Stage Company has a three-fold mission: to produce top-notch, compelling work; to develop new plays and musicals; and to engage our community with vibrant, inclusive educational outreach programs.

    Vision

    Barrington Stage creates theatre experiences that engage and excite our audiences by entertaining as well as challenging them with the most dynamic and provocative productions possible. BSC creates a platform for new voices and diverse perspectives that drives our work: our productions, our educational programming and our community engagement.

    Values

    • Artistic Excellence — we create an environment that empowers and supports artists to do their best work.
    • Community — we create relevant work that deeply resonates with the diverse communities we serve.
    • Respect and Openness — we strive to create a positive environment where ideas from many different perspectives are valued and openly discussed.
    • Stewardship — we believe that financial health and stability are integral to our success and embrace our responsibility to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us and to make wise and prudent use of those resources.
    • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion — we welcome artists, staff and patrons of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, economic groups, religions, age, gender and physical ability.

    Barrington Stage Company is committed to a workplace free of discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, or disability. Our work seeks to celebrate all members of our community and amplify the marginalized voices who are often silenced. It is our responsibility to prioritize and protect from discrimination and oppression those who make our work possible. We stand in solidarity against bigotry and racism. We will hold our artists, staff, board, audience members, volunteers and donors accountable to these principles.

    The Community

    Pittsfield is the largest city and the county seat of Berkshire County, Massachusetts. The population was just under 44,000 at the 2020 census, making Pittsfield the third largest municipality in Western Massachusetts. It is the gateway to the Berkshires where nearby ski resorts draw winter visitors. To the south is the Tanglewood performing arts center in Lenox and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. In 2009, the City of Pittsfield was chosen to receive a 2009 Commonwealth Award, Massachusetts’ highest award in the arts, humanities, and sciences and in 2010, the Financial Times proclaimed Pittsfield the “Brooklyn of the Berkshires” in an article covering its renaissance at that time.

    Pittsfield operates a public school system which has over 6,000 students and is home to the main campus of Berkshire Community College and Mildred Elley’s Pittsfield campus. The nearest state college is the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, and the nearest state university is Westfield State University. In close proximity are the renowned Williams College in Williamstown and Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington.

    Pittsfield offers a host of recreational opportunities and natural resources. It is home to two major lakes, Onota and Pontoosuc, both used for swimming, boating, and fishing. Pittsfield is home to Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, 264 acres of woods, fields, and wetlands maintained by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Bousquet Ski Area and Summer Resort and a number of golf courses entertain visitors and residents year-round. Pittsfield State Forest, an 11,000-acre park, provides residents and tourists with hiking and cross-country skiing trails, camping, picnic areas, and a swimming beach.

    Pittsfield is designated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a “Gateway City” due to its economic revitalization driven by creative industries, of which BSC is a recognized leader. Its downtown is also one of Massachusetts’ Cultural Districts, the Upstreet Cultural District, which, in addition to its theatre offerings, boasts a lively roster of thriving galleries, artist studios, cooperatives and a variety of festivals and community events and a growing dining scene with cuisine representing 4 different continents. Its eclectic cafés have breakfast and coffee covered, and many of its downtown restaurants serve food and drink late into the evening.

    Job Description

    Qualities and Qualifications

    The Search Committee is focused on identifying candidates whose talents as a theatre administrator/leader have been in evidence for a significant period of time and who have had demonstrable leadership success in complex creative environments. Successful candidates will demonstrate:

    • The collaborative skills to successfully partner with the Artistic Director, Board, staff, and key stakeholders to provide organizational leadership and direction;
    • Strong and proven leadership experience at a professional theatre or performing arts organization; Past success in organizational planning and operational implementation;
    • Proven ability to manage a complex, creative company with success in mission delivery and positive financial results;
    • Vision and entrepreneurial capacity to elevate the stature of BSC and its productions locally and throughout the national theater community;
    • Passion and proven ability to implement and advance EDIA values and initiatives within the organization, on its stages, and in the community;
    • A compelling public spokesperson and fundraiser who is able to inspire support for BSC’s mission and organizational goals;
    • The ability to analyze the theater’s operational status and to develop strategies in support of its overall organizational success;
    • The ability to build, lead, and inspire a dynamic management team and staff;
    • A collaborative and open management style;
    • The experience to fully support BSC’s educational and community engagement objectives;
    • The capacity, with the Development Director, to shape and implement an active and multifaceted fundraising effort;
    • A demonstrated ability to develop productive relationships with civic leaders throughout the Berkshires and Massachusetts;
    • Proven ability to balance artistic initiatives and risks with fiscal responsibility.

    Principal Role and Responsibilities

    The Managing Director, as BSC’s co-executive and Chief Administrative Officer, shall be principally responsible for BSC’s administrative, financial, marketing, development and human resource functions. The successful candidate will enable BSC to carry out its programming and broader mission within a financially sustainable business model. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

    • In collaboration with the Artistic Director, guiding the development of a long-term business model that supports BSC’s artistic mission and energizes the staff, Board, artists and the community;
    • Working with the Artistic Director, Board, and key constituents to develop and advance all aspects of the theater’s brand identity;
    • Participating in the development of a sustainable organizational structure that prioritizes standards of excellence while recognizing the importance of work/life balance;
    • Directing the preparation of the annual budget and managing operations throughout the year to ensure fiscal integrity;
    • Supervising BSC’s day-to-day administrative, financial and operational functions;
    • Serving as an ex-officio member of the Board and its Executive and Finance Committees, keeping the Board and Committees fully informed of all BSC operating and financial matters, and assisting the Board President and committee chairs in planning and conducting meetings;
    • Collaborating with the Artistic Director in defining annual season planning assumptions and co-leading the planning process in a manner that will contribute to both artistic and financial success;
    • Serving as an outward facing presence to cultivate relationships with leading regional theaters and commercial producers;
    • Overseeing the financial planning, budgeting, and long-term development of New Works;
    • Championing EDIA values and practices that demonstrate BSC’s commitment to anti-racism;
    • In coordination with the Development Director, developing, implementing and participating in strategies and initiatives to increase contributed income and build corporate and foundational support;
    • In coordination with the Marketing Director, developing and implementing, comprehensive strategies for marketing BSC’s productions and programs, focusing on increasing revenue, building community support, and enhancing the theater’s national reputation;
    • In coordination with the Director of Education, ensuring that the young people of Berkshire County continue to experience live theater and arts education opportunities onstage, backstage and in their communities;
    • In coordination with the Director of Production, assuring that the highest standards and technical expertise in all areas of design are achieved within BSC’s budget;
    • Insuring that BSC is in compliance with the terms of all personnel policies and collective bargaining agreements;
    • Representing BSC in all relationships and negotiations with associations that represent employees and contract personnel, such as Actor’s Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, and Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers;
    • In collaboration with the Artistic Director and others, continuously cultivating community support for BSC’s core mission and programming;
    • Participating in Board development and recruitment activities, as appropriate;
    • Acting as a community spokesperson on behalf of the theater and attending community events as BSC’s representative.

    The Board seeks candidates with vision, passion, and commitment. The successful candidate will be an inspiring representative of the theatre and the arts more broadly. They will look forward to becoming an active member of the Berkshire community. They will recognize and embrace the importance of building community throughout the organization and with Barrington Stage’s external stakeholders at the local, regional and national levels.

    Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

    We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds in the performing arts or non-profit space. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

    Compensation

    Barrington Stage Company offers competitive compensation, with a salary range starting at $160,000-$175,000 annually, and a generous benefits package that includes a comprehensive range of benefits, including medical and dental insurance, life insurance, paid vacation and sick leave.

    Application Instructions

    The search for the Managing Director is being conducted on behalf of Barrington Stage Company by Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, a New York-based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries. Cynthia Fuhrman, Vice President/Executive Search, is leading the search process, reporting to a search committee made up of a mix of members of the Barrington Stage Company Board of Trustees and Staff.

    Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role, and how your background and experience responds to the desired skills and qualities.

    To apply, visit the online application (https://tinyurl.com/3z5ktfxk) and submit your materials. For best consideration, please apply by April 11, 2025. While we will still accept and consider applications received after this date, we encourage you to apply as early as possible for the best chance at being considered for the position. Please note that meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview. No phone calls, please.

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  • Humber Polytechnic seeks Director of Humber Cultural Hub

    The Director will lead and advance HCH’s mission as a dynamic centre for artistic excellence, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration that uplifts Humber’s strategic direction. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Academic, partnering with the Senior Dean, Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design, and developing an impactful Advisory Committee, they will be responsible for shaping a strategic vision that aligns with Humber’s institutional goals while managing the balance between academic programming, research initiatives, and external partnerships. The Director will bring a sophisticated approach to stakeholder engagement, ensuring that competing interests—such as academic access to specialized spaces balanced with community access—are managed with diplomacy and strategic foresight. They will oversee artistic programming, curating a global ecosystem of independent and emerging artists that contribute to the cultural vibrancy of South Etobicoke and the GTA.

    The Director will provide leadership across multiple divisions, working closely with faculty, students, marketing, advancement, alumni relations, public safety, and external partners including artists, booking agents, festival organizers, granting bodies, and sponsors. Maintaining a high level of visibility, the Director will represent HCH at industry conferences, panels, and media engagements, strengthening its reputation as a premier arts and cultural hub. The Director will drive financial sustainability by securing funding through sponsorships, donor relations, earned revenue opportunities, and grants, ensuring a robust business model that supports both operational needs and long-term growth. Their leadership and entrepreneurship will be essential in navigating the increasing complexity of access, fiscal responsibility, and communication strategies related to the use of HCH facilities. With a deep understanding of artistic direction, industry trends, and academic research, the Director will serve as a key figure in fostering a thriving, innovative, and inclusive cultural environment throughout the Humber community.

    Roles and Responsibilities

    Strategic Vision and Operational Leadership

    • Develop and implement a strategic and operational plan for the HCH that is aligned with Humber’s Strategic and Academic Plans.
    • Initiate and infuse artistic and cultural activity across Humber’s Lakeshore campus, collaborating with the six Deans of academic and programmatic divisions to embed creativity as a driver of the student experience and for community vitality.
    • Establish and grow authentic relationships with relevant internal and external stakeholders and leaders to support the development of HCH partnerships, projects, and related activities.
    • Lead and support student, faculty, and external partner activities related to applied research, skills development, and experiential learning activities within the HCH.
    • Coordinate with relevant internal and external leaders to ensure that appropriate facilities, equipment, and resources are available for HCH programming and activities.
    • Champion the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and access to ensure an artistic and organizational culture that respects different perspectives and nurtures an environment of goodwill, inclusion, and empowerment at all levels.
    • Oversee development, implementation, and compliance of HCH specific policies and procedures.
    • Embrace other strategic vision and operational leadership roles, as needed.

    Revenue Enhancement and Business Development

    • Lead and facilitate the development of funding initiatives for HCH operations and programs in collaboration with Government Relations, Advancement & Alumni, Research & Innovation, and the HCH Advisory Committee.
    • Meet or exceed key revenue driver targets under the direction of the Senior Dean of Faculty of Media, Art & Design and in collaboration with relevant internal stakeholders and external associations, tourism and trade associations, and government branches involving Economic Development & Culture (EDC), private businesses within and related to the cultural industries.
    • Activate strategic partnerships with artists, creators, and cultural organizations to expand stakeholders, build audiences, and diversify earned revenue opportunities for HCH.
    • Ensure quality control in Humber submissions and proposals, grants, and other business development strategies, so that they align with academic and artistic excellence, Humber strategic goals and policies, and overlapping interests from local communities.
    • Collaborate with Continuous Professional Learning and Conference Services to identify and deliver additional revenue generation opportunities.
    • Embrace other revenue enhancement and business development roles, as needed.

    Community Ambassadorship and External Relations

    • Maintain awareness of new and existing industry trends, creatives & performers, connecting opportunities across Humber faculties, departments, and divisions.
    • Represent Humber and the HCH on external committees and panels locally, regionally, and nationally.
    • Advance the HCH strategy, value proposition, and related business opportunities amongst internal divisions and with relevant stakeholders and community connections.
    • Build relationships and community connections with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring close alignment with the Office of the Principal of the Lakeshore Campus, all academic divisions and particularly with the Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design, Humber Government Relations, and local municipal leaders from Toronto, Peel, and Mississauga
    • Embrace other community ambassadorship and external relations roles, as needed.

    Traits and Characteristics

    The Director will be a dynamic and resourceful leader, adept at navigating a fast-paced and evolving environment. With a strong competitive drive and an instinct for innovation, they will confidently champion HCH’s mission, engaging stakeholders with a compelling vision for its future. Comfortable balancing high-level strategy with hands-on execution, the Director will build strong relationships across diverse audiences, fostering collaboration and adaptability in pursuit of shared goals. This individual will thrive in situations requiring quick thinking, strategic decision-making, and an ability to pivot rapidly between tasks while maintaining a results-driven approach. A confident communicator and natural connector, the Director will leverage past experience, intuition, and emerging opportunities to shape HCH as a vibrant cultural and creative hub. With an urgency to act and a keen ability to maximize efficiency and impact, they will drive forward new ideas and partnerships that elevate HCH’s role within Humber and beyond.

    Other key competencies include:

    • Leadership and Personal Accountability – The authenticity to influence and inspire others to believe and participate in an impactful vision while holding oneself answerable for personal and professional actions.
    • Diplomacy and Time & Priority Management – The dexterity to analyze all aspects of a situation and listen to many points of view to make consistently sound decisions and facilitate agreements with and between multiple individuals and stakeholder groups with emotional intelligence.
    • Interpersonal Skills – The agility to effectively and tactfully handle difficult or sensitive issues while organizing and influencing people to believe in a vision and sense of purpose and direction.
    • Planning, Organizing, and Flexibility – The capacity to define and diagnose key aspects of a challenge and then establish a rigorous yet adaptable course of action to achieve the desired multifaceted project and stakeholder engagement outcomes.

    Qualifications

    A minimum of seven to nine years of senior management expertise in leading the programming, presentation, and promotion of a multidisciplinary performing arts venue within a not-for-profit, academic, or government setting is required. Sound knowledge and proven ability assessing risk and related opportunities in music, film, theatre, or other performing arts disciplines are expected, and experience working in a multi-unionized environment with a deep understanding of health and safety standards is appreciated. A comprehensive understanding of venue and staff capacity utilization and management, audience development, community ambassadorship in an academic environment, major cultural organization, or elsewhere in the creative sector is needed. A specialized university degree or equivalent experience as a fine arts practitioner in production, management, business, research, or policy is expected with a master’s degree preferred. Exceptional relationship management, donor cultivation, and creative industry expertise and connections are preferred. The ability to work flexible hours on evenings and weekends is required in best serving the needs of numerous stakeholders and the community that HCH will serve. Those currently eligible to work in Canada, as well as international applicants who would need immigration support, are more than welcome to pursue this unique opportunity.

    Compensation and Benefits

    Humber provides a competitive and equitable compensation package estimated to be in the range of CAD$150,000 to $200,000 plus performance bonus opportunities (approximately USD$100,000 to $140,000). A comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off and holidays; health, medical, dental, vision, and prescription drugs; long-term disability, and life insurances; and defined contribution retirement plan, among others found here. The quality of life in Toronto and Canada provides an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth in a welcoming society.

    Applications and Inquiries

    As part of an inclusive process, interested applicants are invited to inquire and/or submit a cover letter that uplifts their qualifications for the outlined position; a resume that highlights a chronological career progression, education, and associated accomplishments; and a production-oriented curriculum vitae that demonstrates how the applicant’s past experience has made a meaningful contribution to contemporary creative arts, media, design, higher education, and/or society.

    Humber is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Arts Consulting Group will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. To submit materials (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/humber-polytechnic-seeks-director-humber-cultural-hub/.

    Humber Polytechnic is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of our students and our city. We actively seek Indigenous Peoples and individuals from equity-deserving groups with demonstrated skills and knowledge to deal with all aspects of equity, diversity and inclusion in a post-secondary environment.

    Humber supports employment equity. Racialized workers, women, Indigenous workers, LGBTQ2S+ workers and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For the purpose of statistical data collection, applicants are strongly encouraged to voluntarily self-identify. Humber’s diverse workplace also supports Francophone workers and young workers.

    Organization

    Humber Polytechnic

    Humber Polytechnic (Humber) was established in 1967 as Humber College, located on Lake Shore Boulevard West in Toronto, and it officially opened its North Campus in 1968. Over the years, Humber has expanded its locations. Through its partnership with the University of Guelph, the University of Guelph-Humber was created in 2002 on the North Campus, and in 2021 the Downtown Toronto campus was established. Today, Humber offers more than 200 programs and 17 areas of interest, including bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeship programs, serving more than 86,000 total learners with more than 10,000 international students from 120 countries. Humber’s educational approach emphasizes a combination of theoretical, experiential, work-integrated learning that fosters employability among its graduates. Ranked as one of the Top 10 applied research post-secondary institutions in Canada, Humber comprises six academic faculties, including Liberal Arts & Sciences, Applied Sciences & Technology, Business, Health Sciences & Wellness, Social & Community Services, and Media, Creative Arts, and Design. Humber is governed by the Board of Governors, and in 2023 Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan became its fifth President & CEO, the first woman to hold the position.

    Humber Cultural Hub

    The Humber Cultural Hub (HCH) is a place where education, innovation, and the arts converge within a state-of-the-art facility designed to support emerging creators and industry professionals alike. This visionary space, spanning multiple interconnected venues on the Lakeshore Campus, represents a bold $200 million investment in the future of arts, media, culture, and creativity in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Building on Humber’s expertise in teaching and learning, culture of experimentation and innovation, comprehensive programming, community-engaged practices, and industry partnerships, the HCH aims to enhance the creative process, applied research, and research-creation in the creative industries through interdisciplinary co-operation.

    Phase I of the HCH opened in Fall 2024 with Phase II set to follow in 2026, and both are part of Unlimited: The Campaign for Humber with a bold ambition to ignite discovery and innovation, accelerate student potential, and transform the learning experience. Unlimited will create an environment for achievement, and it will set the stage for a future full of limitless potential and success for Humber students. Designed as a multidisciplinary creative hub, the HCH features a 144-seat recital hall optimized for concerts and live recordings, a digital recording studio with Dolby Atmos technology (Phase I), and cutting-edge performance and production spaces, including a 500-seat multidisciplinary performance hall equipped with immersive video and audio capabilities (Phase II). These spaces, along with film production studios, rehearsal rooms, and outdoor performance areas, will make the HCH a one-of-a-kind institution in Canada.

    A key element of the HCH’s mission is to redefine creative education, moving beyond traditional classroom models to embrace experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Its integration with Humber’s Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design provides extraordinary opportunity for cross-pollination and expanded learning opportunities across the wide array of disciplines within the Faculty’s portfolio; film and tv production, media communications, music, visual & digital arts, acting, comedy writing & performance, theatre arts, game programming. Aspirations to enliven the entire Lakeshore Campus speak to the HCH as an approach to culture, art and community which is applied beyond the new facilities.

    Furthermore, the goals for HCH to partner broadly across creative sectors ensure that it will be well positioned at the forefront of cultural innovation, rooted in meaningful collaboration. Artist-in-residence and producer-in-residence programs provide students with mentorship opportunities while fostering the creation of groundbreaking work. The HCH also supports applied research, exploring areas such as spatial sound engineering, accessibility in comedy, and immersive audience engagement.

    The HCH is deeply embedded in its community, positioning itself as the cultural anchor of southwest Toronto. Embracing a philosophy of the ‘campus as a canvas,’ HCH is poised to play a crucial role in expanding access to arts and culture outside the downtown core. Major events such as Nuit Blanche pave the way for other similar art and cultural activities to be hosted on its grounds, attracting artists and audiences from across southern Ontario. With its world-class facilities, forward-thinking programming, and deep community engagement, the HCH is poised to become a national leader in creative industries education, research, and performance. It represents not just a building, but an ecosystem—one that nurtures talent, drives economic and cultural growth, and cements Humber’s role as a global innovator in arts and technology.
    Direct reports to the Director, Humber Cultural Hub (Director) are currently anticipated to include a Programming Coordinator, Program Support Officer, Operations Manager, Front of House Coordinator, and non-direct supervision of staff in both marketing and technical services, which will be supplemented by student support roles. The size and scale of staffing, however, will be finalized once the Director is hired and delves more deeply into the needs of HCH and the broader Humber community.

    Community

    Toronto is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous peoples, including the Anishnabeg, Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit, Chippewa, and Wendat. Also known as Tkaronto by Indigenous peoples, the area is also covered by Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaties. Toronto is Canada’s largest city, situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. Toronto’s population is approximately three million residents, and the GTA is a sprawling metropolitan region with a population approaching seven million people. The GTA encompasses not only Toronto but also surrounding municipalities, making it one of the largest urban areas in North America. Its demographics are approximately 50% white, 13% East Asian, 12% South Asian, 9% Black, 7% Southeast Asian, 3% Latin American, 2% West Asian, 1% Arab, and 1% Indigenous. The United Nations has also designated Toronto as the most diverse city on the planet with more than 50 percent of the population being foreign born.

    Toronto is renowned for its vibrant neighbourhoods, varied culinary scene, and extensive cultural institutions, including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canadian Opera Company, Canadian Stage, Mirvish Productions, National Ballet of Canada, Royal Ontario Museum, The Second City Toronto, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and TO Live, among many others. In addition to numerous museums and performing arts organizations, large-scale special events can be found almost every weekend of the year throughout the GTA. Several signature events include Nuit Blanche, Luminato Festival Toronto, Pride Toronto, Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, and Toronto International Film Festival, to name a few. With more than 8,000 international restaurants from which to choose, the food scene in the GTA is one of the finest and most eclectic in the world. Toronto was the first in Canada to be designated as a Creative City of Media Arts by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

    Etobicoke, a former municipality that is now part of Toronto, is located in the city’s western section along the shores of Lake Ontario. It serves as home to Humber’s Lakeshore Campus and North Campus, which are about 18 kilometers from one another. The Etobicoke York Community Council Area has a population of approximately 600,000 residents, and the median age in this area is 40.7 years. Known for its mix of suburban and urban living, Etobicoke offers a variety of residential neighborhoods, commercial centres, and extensive parklands, including the Humber Bay Park and Centennial Park. The district has a strong industrial and economic presence, with businesses in logistics, media, and film production contributing to the city’s economy. Etobicoke’s cultural identity is shaped by its diverse communities and commitment to arts and education. The area hosts events such as Nuit Blanche and the Lakeshore Arts Festival, reinforcing its role as a cultural destination. With its unique blend of historic sites, modern development, and a growing creative sector, Etobicoke continues to evolve as a key part of Toronto’s future. Just to the west of Etobicoke is the growing City of Mississauga, home to Lester B. Pearson International Airport, which has a population approaching 800,000 with over 60% of residents identifying as visible minorities.

    The GTA has had an increasing impact on global popular culture due to the rise of hip-hop stars like Drake and The Weeknd. Vogue magazine declared Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood, just east of Etobicoke, the “second coolest neighbourhood in the world.” Toronto is also known for its acclaimed sports teams, including the Toronto Raptors (founded 1993), Toronto Blue Jays (1977), Toronto Argonauts (1873), Toronto Football Club (2005), and Toronto Maple Leafs (1917). The Toronto Sceptres had its first game in 2024 as one of the six charter franchises of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, and they will be joined in 2026 by Toronto Tempo, which becomes the first Women’s National Basketball Association team outside the United States.

    Toronto has four public universities, two polytechnics, two colleges, and 128 specialised research centres. Toronto is the fastest growing technology market in North America, with 80,100 jobs created—greater than the job growth in New York City, Seattle, and Boston combined. The city has also been undergoing a construction boom over the last decade. This increased commercial development is also coinciding with major transportation upgrades, including the $640 million revitalization of Union Station, Canada’s busiest transportation hub. Toronto also plays a significant role in the global film industry, serving as a filming location for numerous television shows and movies.

    Sources: Toronto.ca; destinationtoronto.ca; statcan.gc.ca; census.gc.ca; cbc.ca; thestar.com; travelandlesisure.com; financialpost.com

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  • Director, Rollins Museum of Art

    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

  • Director, Palmer Museum of Art

    The Opportunity

    The College of Arts and Architecture at The Pennsylvania State University seeks a dynamic, visionary, and collaborative leader to assume the directorship of the Palmer Museum of Art, following the June 2024 opening of the new 71,254-square-foot building designed by Allied Works and located on the grounds of The Arboretum at Penn State. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Arts and Architecture, the Director will guide an ambitious slate of exhibitions, public and educational programs, and collaborations with partners within the University and beyond, to elevate the profile of the Palmer Museum of Art as a destination, regionally, nationally, and internationally. 

    The next Director will:

    • Work closely with the museum staff, leadership, faculty, and students in the College of Arts and Architecture and partners in The Arboretum and across the University to position the museum as a vital center of academic and student life, broadening the museum’s collaborative relationships with departments, schools, colleges, centers, institutes, student services and organizations, and museums/galleries/collections beyond Arts and Architecture.
    • Enhance the regional, national, and international reputation and stature of the museum by fostering the creation, presentation, and publication of original scholarship relating to the museum’s collections and temporary exhibitions, and through ambitious exhibitions that foreground the Palmer’s exemplary collection.
    • Fully activate the new museum building through a robust schedule of exhibitions, programs, events, and collaborations that will engage both current and prospective constituents and supporters.
    • Pursue collection growth in areas of existing and potential strength as well as areas of need.
    • Advocate for and secure additional operational funds to support activities and initiatives, working in collaboration with the College’s Dean and the Director of Development and Alumni Relations.
    • Explore strategies for engaging Penn State students, faculty, and staff beyond the University Park campus. (For information on Penn State’s twenty-four campuses, see: http://psu.edu/academics/campuses.)
    • The Director reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and Architecture and is a member of the college leadership team. In collaboration with the Dean, the Director sets the museum’s strategic direction and oversees its operations.

    Specific responsibilities of the Director include:

    • Plan and execute strategies and initiatives necessary to fulfill the museum’s mission and ensure its financial stability and growth. Align the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the museum with those of the college and the University;
    • Provide vision and leadership to clearly articulate the role of the museum as a University and community resource, assuring its active engagement with all its current and potential constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, donors, and community members;
    • Develop, implement, and manage responsibly the museum’s annual budget and its short and long-term strategic plans;
    • Partner effectively with the Dean, college and University development staff, and the National Advisory Council and the Friends Leadership Council to engage actively and effectively in fundraising, membership program development, and collections building, including regular travel in support of these objectives;
    • Develop and implement significant exhibitions and public programs with museum staff, faculty, and students in the college and beyond that engage the University community and broader regional and national audiences;
    • Inspire museum staff by setting and maintaining high professional standards for the museum in all areas, encouraging cross-function collaboration, and providing professional development opportunities;
    • Work with the National Advisory Council and Friends Leadership Council to clarify and strengthen their roles by establishing clear policies and procedures and specific responsibilities;
    • Collaborate with the college leadership team and the Arboretum to set, pursue, and achieve shared strategic objectives.

    About the Palmer Museum of Art

    The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is the largest art museum collection between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and the most significant academic art museum in the state of Pennsylvania. A key element of Penn State’s land-grant mission of teaching, research and scholarship, and public service, the Palmer Museum of Art is a vital and accessible cultural resource for Penn State’s students, faculty, staff, and scholars, as well as visitors to and from the Centre region, the Commonwealth, and beyond. Through its world-class collection, exhibitions, programs, and outreach, the museum is a welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant forum for authentic arts experiences and a site where meaningful dialogue about today’s most potent ideas and pressing concerns is cultivated.  

    The museum features an average of nine special exhibitions per year. Recent major exhibitions include _MADE IN PA_ (2024), the inaugural exhibition in the museum’s new location; _Looking at Who We Are: The Palmer at 50_ (2022); and _Global Asias: Contemporary Asian American Art from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation_ (2021). The museum is currently completing a two-volume catalogue of its American art collection, funded in part by a $100,000 grant from the Luce Foundation. A free-admission museum, the Palmer Museum of Art celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and opened its doors to the new state-of-art building located at The Arboretum at Penn State on June 1, 2024. The new museum has welcomed approximately 50,000 visitors between June and February, far exceeding the annual attendance in its previous location. More information about the Palmer Museum of Art can be found here: https://palmermuseum.psu.edu/.

    Organization, Governance, and Finance

    The work of the Palmer Museum of Art is enabled by 17 full-time staff members, including five vacancies, 16 part-time employees, and a cadre of student employees and volunteers. The Director’s senior team includes the Assistant Director and Curator, Senior Curator, Curator of American Art (vacant), Director of Education, Marketing and Communications Director, Registrar, Chief Preparator, Event Rental Coordinator, and Facility Manager. The Palmer is supported by a college-based Advancement Office, including a Director of Development, three Major Gift Officers, and an Annual Giving Specialist, with access to central offices in Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations that support annual giving, donor and member services, prospect management, and research. 

    A 12-member National Advisory Council is dedicated to strengthening the relationship between the museum and the community, and a nine-member Friends Leadership Council spearheads activities of the museum’s membership, which consists of approximately 315 households. The operating budget of Palmer in FY2025 is $2.6 million, split between earned income (3%), philanthropic income from endowment and contributions (23%), and University support (74%). The museum’s expenses can be broadly categorized as programming and events, engagement, and administration.

    The Building 

    The new Palmer Museum of Art is a 71,254 square-foot state-of-the-art facility, designed by Allied Works. A significant cultural resource for the University and the region, the new museum boasts 19 galleries on two levels, indoor and outdoor courtyards, and the Palmer’s first-ever dedicated education and event spaces. Located on the grounds of The Arboretum at Penn State, the museum is the largest academic art museum in Pennsylvania and the only art museum in the Big Ten Conference integrated with a full-scale arboretum.

    In its new location, the museum offers diverse and thought-provoking exhibitions, engaging education programs, and community events that welcome audiences and support curricula across the University system and k-12 schools.

    The new facility offers numerous ways for people to engage with the museum’s growing permanent collection. In addition to galleries dedicated to nineteenth-century American art (2,787 total sf), American modern art from 1900 to 1950 (2,572 total sf), European art (927 sf), arts of Africa (956 sf), postwar art (1,159 sf), contemporary art (2,395 sf), ceramics (1,363 sf), and studio glass (866 sf), a works on paper gallery (599 sf) allows staff to curate rotating exhibitions from the museum’s diverse collection of prints, drawings, and photographs. Three visually connected spaces—two on the ground level of the museum and one on the second level—allow for flexibility in planning special exhibitions (3,519 total sf), and a teaching gallery (881 sf) enables staff to work with faculty and students across the University to connect course concepts to the museum’s permanent collection through exhibitions and installations. In addition, a new object study room (744 sf) with an adjacent works on paper storage area (715 sf) allows faculty, students, and visiting scholars to study and learn from works from the museum’s permanent collection firsthand.

    The new museum includes dedicated education and event spaces. In the museum’s new Education and Administration Wing, there is a studio classroom (640 sf) with space for hands-on creative activity. An adjacent education terrace (1,412 sf) allows staff—from the Palmer and the Arboretum—to organize outdoor education programs separate from or as part of studio-based classes and activities. Larger education programs and outreach events can be organized in the museum’s event space (1,328 sf), a multi-use room adjacent to the museum lobby (2,275 sf) and the event terrace (2,126 sf), that can be set up for films, lectures, symposia, performances, and events.

    The Collection

    With a growing collection of nearly 11,000 objects, representing a diversity of cultures and spanning centuries of art, the Palmer Museum’s strengths include American art, ceramics, studio glass, and photography. For more about the collection, visit https://palmer.emuseum.com/collections.

    American Art 

    The American paintings survey major developments of the nineteenth century, with concentrations in portraiture from the Early Republic, Hudson River School landscapes, genre scenes and still lifes from before and after the Civil War, and figural subjects by expatriates and impressionists around 1900. 

    Ceramics 

    Studio ceramics are well represented, including works by European and Japanese traditions in the early twentieth century, and contemporary Danish ceramics, among many other historical and contemporary work.

    Studio Glass 

    The Palmer Museum of Art’s collection of contemporary glass has grown exponentially in the last decade, more than a half century after the founding of the international studio glass movement in the early 1960s.  

    Photography 

    The permanent collection currently includes more than 1,500 photographs (approximately 13% of the collection).

    Philanthropic Impact and Opportunities

    The Palmer Museum of Art has been a vital cultural resource for Penn State and the central Pennsylvania region for decades, and the new Palmer Museum of Art at The Arboretum at Penn State has been a dream and focus of the University’s educational and outreach efforts for the past several years. Since launching the campaign for the new Palmer Museum of Art in spring 2019, we have raised more than $26 million for the museum, $22 million of which was dedicated to the building fund.

    The museum’s success and future growth will depend on inspiring ongoing support the museum, its collection, and its education and outreach missions.

    More than 85% of the Palmer Museum’s permanent collection has been gifted or purchased with donated funds, and the museum currently has a pipeline of planned gifts in kind, totaling approximately 800 works of art from 15 donors.

    The Palmer benefits from a membership program that started in 1974, just two years after the museum was established on the Penn State University Park campus. The membership program was recently relaunched with the opening of the new museum and nets approximately $80,000 per year in dues-based contributions; student memberships for the Museum are free.

    In the new museum, more than 30 naming opportunities remain to recognize significant contributions to the Museum of Art Enrichment Fund, a discretionary endowment to support museum operations, exhibitions, acquisitions, and education programs. The University will soon launch the public phase of Penn State Forever: The Campaign to Lead and Serve, which will emphasize the Penn State’s—and by extension, the museum’s—public service mission, highlighting the ways that the museum prepares students for lifelong success, meets the needs of people in their communities, and have impact nationally and internationally through their exhibitions, scholarship, and research activity. Across the University and throughout the campaign, every college, campus, and unit will pursue these ambitions in ways that speak to their unique mission and to the communities they serve.

    To read more about the College of Art and Architecture, Penn State, and State College, please download the full position profile via the link above.

    Candidate Profile

    The next Director of the Palmer will be an ambitious, creative, and collaborative leader who is inspired by the mission of the Palmer Museum of Art and of Penn State, and who inspires others as well. Top candidates will demonstrate seven to 10 years of progressively increasing organizational leadership within art museums, arts institutions, or similar organizations; experience within an academic art museum is desirable. Other must-have qualities include a talent and enthusiasm for outreach and partnership, and a commitment to advancing inclusivity, representation, and belonging in their approach to exhibitions, collections, audience engagement, and mentorship. 

    While no individual candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

    Strategic, Collaborative and Visionary Leadership 

    The Director will be a dynamic and charismatic leader with an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit and an ability to partner with colleagues across the University, in the local community, and with members of the broader art and museum world. This individual will serve as a visible and effective advocate for the critical role that the arts play in the overall educational and public mission of The Pennsylvania State University. The successful candidate will be a proven strategic thinker with the foresight and capacity to understand and balance complex and discrete priorities and needs both within the Museum as well as across the breadth of the Penn State system. This leader must be comfortable operating within and energized by the environment of a large, complex University system that values academic engagement and intellectual vitality. Capable of providing stability and exuding confidence when faced with important and quickly changing circumstances, the Director will be a consultative thought leader.

    Mission Fit and Expertise 

    The Director will demonstrate a passion for art, an appreciation for the creative process, and dedication to and enthusiasm for serving students and lifelong learners at all levels. As the leader of an art museum within a public, land grant University, the successful candidate must be someone who values the Palmer Museum’s educational mission and the integration of the museum into the Penn State curriculum. The Director must also be deeply committed to research and creative scholarship, while cultivating collaborative opportunities within the broader art and art museum world. 

    The Director will help set the vision for rigorous, compelling exhibitions, programs, and publications that expand scholarly inquiry and audience engagement, make the Museum an attractive destination in Pennsylvania, and elevate the profile of the Palmer nationally. The next Director will have a solid grasp and keen awareness of national and international trends and best practices in art museums and within the art world.

    Skilled and Inspirational Manager 

    The Director will be a results-driven leader with a collegial, team-oriented working style, open and nimble in adjusting to emerging needs or shifting priorities. This individual will have a proven record of visible, effective leadership and management and the demonstrated ability to professionally develop, mentor, and retain a strong team that is focused on impact, excellence, accountability, and efficiency. They will be a motivator, able to inspire a shared vision, quality performance, and strong morale, empowering and cultivating staff through active and effective communication, feedback, and delegation, while actively promoting teamwork and collaboration.

    External Relations and Relationship Building 

    The Director will have a compelling public presence and will be skilled at developing, building, and sustaining relationships. They will have a demonstrated ability to connect with and build bridges among the various stakeholders across a range of contexts, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, the Board of Trustees, the National Advisory Council and Friends Leadership Council, leaders of arts and cultural organizations, major donors and collectors, and members of the State College community. The Director will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to connect genuinely with audiences of varying levels of expertise. They will have the capacity to serve as an active and sensitive listener, and to thrive as the Palmer Museum’s foremost champion and advocate, persuading stakeholders to support and advance the Museum’s mission.

    The Director will possess a high comfort level operating in the public arena, which includes valuing outward engagement, being at ease with people, and embracing the expectations for a leader with substantial visibility in the community.

    Credibility and Recognition 

    The successful candidate will have recognized distinction in the field, significant standing with peer institutions, and the stature to represent Penn State and the Palmer to all stakeholders. The next Director will operate with transparency and integrity in all dealings and bring an awareness of ethical best practices stipulated by the Association of Art Museum Directors, the American Alliance of Museums, and the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries. 

    Development and Fundraising 

    The Director will be an engaging fundraiser with demonstrated success in cultivation and stewardship. This individual will possess the capacity and mindset to build strong relationships within the community and to deepen collaborations with central advancement, current and potential donors, the Museum’s councils, and the broader Penn State community. Ideally this leader will have prior experience with and a track record of success in prospect engagement, donor cultivation, and stewardship, and will provide high-touch engagement with all the Palmer’s constituents.

    Operational Abilities 

    The Director will have a record of successful oversight and management of budgets and personnel, and firm understanding of museum functions and operations. They will promote a culture of excellence, collaboration, and high-quality execution at all levels within the institution, providing outstanding stewardship for the advancement of the Palmer Museum of Art. This individual will have the perspective to consider the impact of decisions, strategic plans or initiatives, and programs on the organization, in relationship to University and college policies and guidelines, and to make sound recommendations accordingly. 

    Educational Background 

    A master’s degree in art history, museum studies, or a related, relevant field is required; an earned doctorate in an appropriate discipline is preferred. Deep professional and leadership experience in a comparable setting and in art historical study will also be seriously considered.

    Compensation and Benefits

    Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $180,000 to $200,000 with a generous benefits package. 

    Contact

    Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement, led by Naree Viner and Tenley Bank. Express interest in this role by filling out our https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/21879 or emailing Tenley directly at tbank@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.

    Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
    Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

    To apply, visit: https://apptrkr.com/6073156

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