Job Description

The Newport Art Museum (NAM), a historically significant cultural institution in Newport, Rhode Island, seeks an experienced, visionary, and community-focused Executive Director to lead the museum into its next era of growth and relevance. The Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership to advance NAM’s mission, ensuring financial sustainability, artistic vibrancy, and community engagement. This is a unique opportunity to lead an institution with deep historical roots while shaping its future impact as an inclusive, innovative and vibrant cultural destination. Newport Art Museum Since its founding in 1912 as the Art Association of Newport, NAM has transformed into a museum that fosters artistic excellence and cultural enrichment through exhibitions, education, and public programs. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Museum maintains a strong foundation with an annual operating budget of approximately $1.8 million, a $7.8 million endowment, and a collection of over 3,000 works of art. The Museum is operated by a dedicated professional staff of eighteen and an eighteen-member Board of Trustees. NAM’s collection, spanning from the 18th century to the present, includes important paintings by American masters such as Gilbert Stuart, George Inness, John Frederick Kensett, William Trost Richards, and Fitz Henry Lane, as well as more modern works in several media by Howard Gardiner Cushing, George Bellows, Mark di Suvero, Ad Reinhardt, and Andy Warhol. Contemporary artists have always been a focus for the Museum, and collections reflect a growing list of important and diverse examples by Joseph Norman, Howard Ben Tré, Italo Scanga, Claudia Widdiss, Toots Zynsky, and Michael Mazur, to name only a few. Opportunities and Challenges The Newport Art Museum is poised for growth, with a new strategic plan emphasizing artist-driven programming, community engagement, and long-term sustainability. However, the new Executive Director will face several challenges as well. Opportunities include : Articulate a Vision : Create a pathway for re-imagining the Museum and its aspirations, leading meaningful conversations with internal and external stakeholders and inspiring support for a cohesive vision of success. Advance Strategic Initiatives : Refine and implement the Museum’s strategic frameworks, ensuring financial sustainability and continued relevance in Newport’s cultural scene. Enhance Community Engagement : Deepen relationships with local artists, residents, and visitors to make NAM an even more vital community hub. Branding and Destination Marketing : Leverage Newport’s status as an international visitor destination to enhance the Museum’s profile and branding. Guide a Campus Master Plan : Re-energize efforts to fund and implement an outdoor landscape master plan that enhances the Museum’s beauty and community access. Challenges include : Staff Development and Retention : The new ED will need to provide leadership to the current staff, many of whom are relatively new to their positions, and focus on staff retention. Strengthen Fundraising and Financial Health : The new ED will work with the Board to expand philanthropic support, grow NAM’s endowment, and explore new revenue streams. Responsibilities and Expectations Demonstrate strong, visionary leadership to advance NAM’s mission, strategic goals, and community impact. Provide overall organizational and financial oversight, accountability, and sustainability. Strengthen donor relations and actively participate in fundraising efforts. Partner with the Artistic Director and other staff to shape collections and programming. Serve as the primary spokesperson for the Museum and lead outreach and marketing efforts. Cultivate relationships with local and national arts organizations and community partners. Maintain positive and productive Board relations. Support and develop the staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth. Establish data-driven performance metrics; assess programs and exhibits. Experience, Skills, and Attributes A minimum of five years of senior executive or management experience in nonprofit environments. Success in fundraising and working with donors. Proficiency with sound business practices and financial management. Strategic planning acumen; ability to see the big picture and communicate a vision. Exemplary management and organizational skills. Emotional intelligence and people-oriented leadership skills. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Experience working in collaboration with diverse constituents. BA or equivalent life experience preferred, ideally in art history, management, museum studies, education, or humanities. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this position. Compensation The salary range is $135,000 – $165,000 commensurate with experience, plus an attractive benefits package. How to Apply To apply in confidence, submit application by May 23, 2025, to: Dan Yaeger, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference, via SearchandRef@museum-search.com. Please include: A cover letter expressing interest in the position and giving brief examples of past related experience. A résumé. The names and contact information for three professional references able to evaluate the candidate’s leadership and work. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. Nominations are welcome. All applications and nominations are kept confidential; we will not contact references without your permission. #J-18808-Ljbffr Museum Hue

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