Executive Director

The Bowlus Fine Arts Center is seeking to hire an EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, to continue the 60-year legacy of serving the community at large with excellent programming and traditional fine arts training.

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ABOUT THE CENTER

The Bowlus Fine Arts Center (BFAC), built in 1964, is a successful state-of-the-art facility located in southeast Kansas.

The Main Stage is a traditional proscenium stage with 742 seats, a full fly tower with a combination of counterweight and motorized line sets, and complete up-to-date sound and lighting systems.

The Creitz Recital Hall is an intimate acoustic space with a small stage. Seating is flexible up to 120 seated patrons. The Mary Martin Gallery is a small gallery for touring and community exhibitions.

The Bowlus possesses a permanent art collection and owns 9 pianos in the building, including 7 Steinways. The Bowlus programs up to 20 public events a year and 4 to 5 educational bus-in programs for surrounding school districts.

Two of the public events are the Iola Area Community Symphony Orchestra, which officially became a Bowlus program in 2018.

The local Iola School District 257 uses the Bowlus for all large assembly events and performances. The local Allen County Community College uses the Bowlus for one or two productions a year.

The rest of the calendar is filled with local rentals, including 2 to 3 dance companies, the Iola Community Theatre, County and City workshops and speaking events, and other small community meetings.

Recent facility upgrades within the last 6 years have been the East Entrance and ADA parking lot, Fire Alarm system upgrade, Main Stage Air Handler replacement, and the addition of a new parking lot with commissioned art sculptures to the south of the facility.

SUMMARY

The Executive Director ensures an organizational culture characterized by commitment to the BFAC mission, creative risk taking, professionalism, quality customer / visitor service, and fiscal responsibility and discipline.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES of the Executive Director include, but are not limited to :

ARTISTIC AND PROGRAM LEADERSHIP :

• Develop and implement strategic artistic vision, programming and planning
• Expand the scope and reach of the BFAC’s programming and role in the community through new ideas in a financially stable and sustainable way, while honoring and maintaining its outstanding reputation
• Attend annual conferences to acquire quality cultural and educational programming that would be desirable and appropriate for patrons of varying ages
• Ensure the opportunity for integration of all programming across all aspects of the fine arts
• Lead and coordinate the fine arts and educational programming

FUNDRAISING AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS :

• Build and maintain a high degree of community visibility, serving as chief spokesperson for the BFAC
• Strengthen existing community partnerships and donor relationships while cultivating new partnerships
• Oversee all fundraising and membership activities which includes identifying, cultivating, and soliciting memberships and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, the public sector, and other sources
• Research, identify, complete, and submit grant applications for funds to provide supplementary support for BFAC improvements and programming

PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT :

• Report directly to the Trustee (Board of Education for Unified School District 257) and work directly with the Bowlus Commission, which is an advisory board to the Trustee
• Lead the BFAC’s Commission, staff and stakeholders to carry out the Mission
• Engage as an entrepreneurial leader
• Manage, administer, and oversee all facets of the BFAC including day-to-day administration, human resources, financial operations, and facilities management
• Supervise and direct all support staff
• Work closely with the investment management firm to oversee all financial investments
• Prepare, monitor, adhere to and report on an annual budget of approximately $900,000

IDEAL CANDIDATE :

The ideal candidate will demonstrate vision, leadership, a deep-rooted passion for the fine arts, and have a background in business practices, while combining strategic thinking with innovation and creativity.

Experience and education will show a demonstrated ability to further broaden engagement between the arts and the communities the BFAC serves while successfully managing administrative responsibilities.

The candidate will also express a desire to embrace and enjoy living in a friendly, mid-western, community-focused environment as longevity is vital for the position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in non-profit management, arts management, business, or a related field. Comparable work experience will be considered.
• Knowledge of and experience in effective management principles, personnel management, theater management, box office management, arts programming, fundraising, basic accounting principles, backstage management, and marketing.
• Excellent communication skills specifically written, oral, and presentation
• Willing to work a variety of hours including evenings and weekends
• Effectively negotiate contracts to ensure contractual and regulatory compliance and fulfillment of performance objectives
• Ability to prepare and administer budgets
• Confidence in interacting with and developing effective working relationships with staff and public
• A career path that demonstrates success in creative artistic visioning while building and leading a stable organization
• Adept in technology (i.e. Microsoft Office and QuickBooks)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

• Fundraising and Donor Relations
• Grant writing experience
• Successful experience in board and volunteer relations
• Experience with the recruitment of potential theatrical and musical companies / performers, as well as visual artists for gallery displays

COMPENSATION :

The salary range for this full-time position is $70,000 to $90,000 per year based on qualifications and experience. Other benefits include :

• Health Insurance
• Optional Dental and Vision Insurance
• Annual Vacation, Holiday Pay, Personal Days and Sick Leave
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan

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