Employment opportunity

 
 

Bainbridge Arts & Crafts (BAC) seeks an Executive Director to lead this beloved organization through its next stage of growth. This is an exciting opportunity for arts and cultural nonprofit professionals with an understanding of the Bainbridge Island community who are both ready to take the next step in their career and exhilarated by the prospect of leading this organization into the future.

About this Opportunity

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and oversees the organization’s strategy, programs, and administration. BAC is at a critical moment of financial and programmatic rebuilding, and the person stepping into this role has an exciting opportunity to make a big impact. They will focus in the near-term on reinvigorating community programs and strengthening the organization’s financial capability to provide those programs into the future.

To deliver BAC’s mission to the community, the ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of the Bainbridge Island community, a demonstrated record of fundraising success, nonprofit management skills, a deep love of the arts, and be an excellent people manager with experience developing staff. Curatorial skills, while not required, are a plus. BAC can also provide curatorial assistance.

In cooperation with the Board of Directors and its subcommittees, the Executive Director’s focus areas include: 


Fundraising and Financial Management

  • Develop and oversee the annual budget

  • Promote a culture of fiscal discipline to ensure long-term stability and accurate financial record-keeping and controls

  • Raise funds from individuals, foundations, business, and government sources

  • Build relationships with major donors and stakeholders and identify and cultivate new donors 

  • Broaden and deepen multiple revenue streams through earned income (gallery, shop and program revenue) and grants, events, membership, sponsorships, and fundraising

  • Create long-term fundraising goals and implement programs/campaigns to achieve them


Operations and Program Management

  • Lead and support staff in carrying out BAC operations, optimizing systems and processes to increase efficiency, and overseeing BAC’s technological and fiscal resources

  • Create a positive environment and workplace culture by attracting, motivating, and retaining a diverse and high-quality staff (both paid and volunteer) with a workplace that rewards initiative, accountability, and team-work

  • Identify, attract, train, utilize, and thank volunteers in support of BAC’s programs and mission


Programming

  • Develop a deep understanding of the local market and community so that gallery, shop, and program offerings are engaging for the public to view and purchase

  • Create, deliver, and oversee compelling public and educational programs and events that foster an appreciation of the visual arts and engage and inspire a diverse audience

  • Create and deliver engaging events and programs for members and donors that honor their support of BAC and attract a new, more diverse audience to BAC

  • Develop and enhance relationships with other arts and cultural organizations to promote BAC’s mission and reach

  • Plan, create, and mount outstanding, diverse, and relevant exhibitions of work by local and regional artists and craftspeople (with support as needed)

  • Identify and develop relationships with emerging and established local and regional artists with the goal of exhibiting and selling their works (with support as needed)

Community Outreach and Relations 

  • Oversee marketing, communication, social media, and public relations efforts of the organization

  • Develop and implement communications with donors, supporters, members, artists

  • Represent BAC to other cultural, governmental, and philanthropic organizations, cultivating strategic partnerships and building BAC’s reputation

Strategic Planning

  • Create a plan for BAC’s future and its role in the community along with measurable goals and strategies to realize that vision

  • Ensure that activities are consistent with BAC’s mission and vision

  • Develop objectives and benchmarks to ensure the organization is moving toward realization of its long-term goals and mission

Board Relations and Governance

  • Build a strong working relationship with the Board and partner with them in supporting BAC financially, strategically, programmatically, and in the community

  • Inform the Board in a timely manner of the condition of the organization and any challenges

  • Assist Board committees in their work, including recruiting and cultivating new Board members and members of the Advisory Council who can bring diverse talents, perspectives, interests and experiences to the organization.

Qualifications

The Executive Director should have:

  • Leadership experience (at the manager+ level) in an arts and/or cultural nonprofit organization including management of both staff and volunteers

  • Successful record in development and fundraising, including leading individual and major gift campaigns, with the demonstrated ability to engage a wide range of community members/donors

  • Commitment to delivering quality programs and data-driven program evaluations

  • Record of organizational management showing the ability to develop and mentor staff, manage volunteers, achieve goals and objectives, and operate within a budget

  • Successful record of building positive relations with an engaged Board of Directors and/or Advisory Council

  • Familiarity with the Bainbridge Island community and its nonprofit and/or arts community

  • Strong written and communication skills and ease in dealing with the public and the press

  • Ability to work collaboratively with other organizations, diverse groups, and community entities

  • At least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or university with an emphasis in nonprofit management, the arts, design, or a related field, or equivalent work/life experience

  • Ideal candidates have curatorial and/or arts leadership experience in a gallery, museum, or other visual arts environment.

Application Process and Compensation

The salary for this position is negotiable and expected to be ~$75,000 plus benefits.

Applicants are requested to submit a letter of interest, a professional resume, and a list of at least four references who may be contacted to Board President Ellin Spenser at ellinspenser@icloud.com or by mail to:

Ellin Spenser

Board President

Bainbridge Arts & Crafts

151 Winslow Way East

Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

The deadline for applications is March 26, 2025.