POSITION OPENING
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
by Jami Goldstein

REPORTS TO: 15 member Governor-appointed board and 4 non-voting legislative appointees
STAFF: 34
AGENCY OPERATING BUDGET: $11,200,000 (State Appropriation); $758,300 (NEA-Federal)

Mission: The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.

OAC History: The Ohio Arts Council is governed by a 19-member lay body. Fifteen of those members are appointed by the Governor for five-year renewable terms. The remaining four are non-voting legislative members appointed for two-year terms.

The OAC provides funding support to nonprofit organizations and individuals through several different programs as described in its publication Guidelines. In general, funds are awarded through a competitive review process which is open to the public. The agency has a long history of innovation in the areas of arts learning; international programming; support of individual artists; community development and support of the Appalachian region in southeastern Ohio. The OAC recently completed a major renovation of its grants programming and currently provides funding in: Arts Learning, Arts Innovation, Arts Access, Individual Creativity, Sustainability, Capacity Building and International Partnerships.

Goals: The goals and objectives outlined in the Ohio Arts Council’s strategic plan ensure that the mission of the agency is extended across the state. The OAC’s current strategic plan is comprised of seven goals:

• provide support for the arts;
• cultivate learning and artistic development;
• recognize and support the contributions of Ohio artists;
• build communities through the arts;
• strengthen the public information network;
• expand information systems and technology; and
• broaden partnerships and opportunities regionally, nationally and internationally.

New goals are being developed during the fall 2005.

Position Responsibilities/Job Duties

• Acts as principal spokesperson and advocate for the arts to the Governor, state legislature, media, foundations, corporations, program partners, educators, artists and arts organizations.
• Serves as senior staff officer of the OAC, works closely with and reports to the Council Board and is responsible for directing all aspects of he OAC’s operations.
• Develops and maintains an effective relationship with the Council board that encourages the open exchange of ideas, policies and procedures, development of initiatives, and other operational matters that are vital to the OAC’s success.
• Provides thoughtful and accessible leadership and mentoring for the OAC’s professional staff; encourages and seeks out opportunities for professional development and further training with the OAC. Supports an environment of teamwork and shared goals.
• Provides leadership in the development of agency initiatives and partnerships and seeks additional funding that supports those initiatives and partnerships.
• Leads agency strategic planning efforts; understands and uses current research and trends in the arts nationally and within the state that address the public value of the arts and arts participation issues to inform the agency’s planning and focus.
• Ensures the OAC’s compliance with all state and federal legal and regulatory requirements and guidelines.

Skills/Knowledge

Qualified candidates will have (but are not limited to) skills in the following areas:

team building, meeting facilitation, delegation of responsibilities, motivation, personnel management and evaluation; research, proposal development, report preparation, networking, excellent written and oral communications skills (including persuasive argument and negotiation, tact and diplomacy, public speaking, debate, and public relations).

Qualified candidates will have (but are not limited to) knowledge in the following areas:

• Broad and specific knowledge and understanding of the arts, arts management and public policy in the arts;
• Human resources administration, including knowledge of state government structure and regulations; union negotiations and contracts; interviewing and supervisory techniques and regulations; understands and values diversity at all levels;
• Budget development, including knowledge of fiscal controls and management; policy development and long-range planning; assumes responsibility for agency fundraising, including knowledge of outside funding sources, funding trends and application processes;
• Provides creative and innovative leadership and strategic vision for agency, including knowledge of strategic planning, board’s role and responsibilities, staff role and responsibilities; and public relations;
• Agency government relations, including knowledge of state and federal government structure, process and regulations; and advocacy techniques and regulations;
• Knowledge of the field, including knowledge of the arts and humanities, nonprofit organizations, local government structures, other state arts agencies and the international arts field.

Preferred Qualifications

The board is seeking a qualified, creative and motivated individual with:

• Pertinent education and experience; a respected leader in the arts with a commitment to public service. Qualified applicants will exhibit the vision and energy to lead the agency into the future.
• A degree in the liberal or fine arts is required; additional consideration will be given to candidates who have proven experience or degree in public policy or a specific arts discipline;
• Successful nonprofit or state arts agency management experience; proven success in leadership, fundraising and personnel management are desired.
• Demonstrated administrative ability; excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, a mature and confident presence and image; and knowledge of the arts and humanities are also desired.
• Applicants must have successful experience in positions of increasing responsibility leading a government or non-profit cultural organization.

Opportunities and Challenges include:

• Implementing a new strategic plan for 2006-2009.
• Continuing the OAC’s work on revealing the public value of the arts.
• Promoting a stronger and more visible public advocacy program; creating a unified “arts voice” in the state and integrating it into public discussion of key issues.

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