Careers

Open Position: Executive Director

QUALIFICATIONS: A minimum 5-years’ experience in business, non-profit management or related field and an understanding for how arts and creativity can engage and transform rural places.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

Creston Arts, originally called Crest Area Arts Council, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that has been serving southwest Iowa since 1976 serving individuals of all ages and abilities with programs such as Art Camp, Chalk the Town, and the Depot Art Gallery. Now on the heels of a thorough strategic planning process, Creston Arts is excited to hire an executive director to lead the next phase of growth, using the arts as a transformational tool for community and economic development. Our new executive director will be excellent at building strategic partnerships, managing volunteers, and building a strong fundraising department. A successful candidate will have a passion for the arts and supporting artists and will strike a balance between detail-oriented tasks, long-range planning, and relationship building in Creston and across the surrounding region.

VISION

Creston Arts is transforming Creston into a creative and economic hub--a place where people visit, contribute, relocate, and grow. We envision a town in which the arts drive economic prosperity, social wellness, and educational success.

MISSION

Creston Arts celebrates the arts while using creativity and curiosity as tools to generate empathy and create connections across all communities. We serve every Creston resident, working to generate a stronger, more engaged, and more compassionate community.

VALUES

• Access

• Community

• Determination

• Flexibility

• Joy

KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY:

• Administrative experience in leading a business, non-profit agency or arts organization

• Experience in fundraising and grant writing

• Outstanding written and oral communication and people skills

• Ability to lead advancement strategy.

• Experience in developing and executing professional plans such as, strategic, marketing/communications, volunteer program, education/engagement programs

• Ability to professionally represent Creston Arts

• Understand financial statements, manage day-to-day documentation, oversight and approval, while working with board of directors to act within the organizations best interests. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership:

• Board Development: Provide support to the Creston Arts Board of Directors through continuous communication, meeting preparation and follow up.

• Manage and oversee staff and volunteers of the organization.

• Public Relations: Represent Creston Arts and serve as the liaison with civic, social, governmental, and nonprofit agencies to ensure the interests and goals of Creston Arts are fulfilled. Attend local and state-wide events and networking opportunities. Amplify the organization through public speaking, presentations, etc.

Relationship Management: Maintain strong relationships among peers, key stakeholders, the media, industry associations, and more.

Education & Research: Stay up to date on the arts industry, specifically as it relates to civic/community engagement

Innovation: Identify and cultivate new opportunities in alignment with the strategic plan.

Financial Management: Responsible for financial management of all Creston Arts accounts. Lead the development, management and implementation of the annual budget.

Fund Development: Develop and Coordinate fundraising efforts as directed by the Board of Directors. Seek and secure grants for funding and cultivate relationships with donors on a local/state-wide level.

Planning: Develop, implement and maintain marketing and communications plan, including all social media, digital presence and printed communication.

Marketing: Develop and maintain promotional materials as contracted by branches.

Compliance:

• Manage and maintain policies and procedures.

• Ensure the organization is operating in compliance with all laws and regulations.

• Maintain regular accessibility to those served through email and/or phone.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance

Work Location: In person

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Direct any questions, cover letter and resume to applications@crestonarts.org.