The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts

Executive Director, Highlands, NC

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Bascom creates visual art experiences that inspire and empower individuals and communities through seeing, thinking, and doing.

The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts has been a vital cultural resource to the Western North Carolina region for over 30 years. Located in the idyllic mountain community of Highlands, North Carolina (recently named America's Best Small Mountain Town by Travel + Leisure Magazine), the nonprofit regional arts center attracts over 25,000 annually and is the leading provider of diverse, contemporary visual art experiences – exhibitions, classes, and workshops; lectures and seminars; studio programs and resident artist experiences – for residents, visitors, and lifelong learners across the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau and beyond.

A place where the beauty of the natural world is reflected in its buildings and landscape, The Bascom's 28,000-square-foot main building houses exhibition and event spaces, classrooms, offices, and a retail outlet. The adjacent David Drake Studio contains studio space for pottery and three-dimensional arts instruction and additional retail space. Entrance to the campus is through an early 19th-century 87-foot-long covered bridge. Along with sizeable terraces, the outdoor spaces include meadows and forest land, as well as the Winkler Sculpture and Nature Trail.

The Bascom presents a range of major exhibitions which highlight both the work of the artists who live and work in the region, Bascom instructors and students, artist fellows and residents, as well as world-renowned artists whose work might not otherwise be seen in this region. The Bascom hosts approximately 10 exhibitions each year.

Recognized for the quality and uniqueness of its programming, The Bascom is committed to building essential creative skills for area youth and adults, increasing professional development opportunities for artists and educators, and becoming a key player in the creative economy in Western North Carolina.

Through its Creative Community Initiative, The Bascom offers a range of programming across Jackson and Macon Counties, North Carolina, including rotating free admission exhibitions, community partnership programs, artist/curator talks, clubs, and a scholarship program that widens access for all to its annual workshop series. The initiative serves 3,000 participants annually, including about 1,500 school-aged youth who participate in age-appropriate, arts-integrated academic activities.

The Bascom's impact on the regional artistic communityis significant. The Bascom supports nearly 300 working artists through residencies, retail sales, exhibition sales, and instruction, which equals nearly $300,000 each year in commissions, contract artist fees, and stipends.

The Bascom is governed by a 21-member Board. The organization has an outstanding team of approximately seven to 10 professionals, a recent budget of $1.8 million, and a $1.2 million endowment.

To learn more, please view the organization's website at https://www.thebascom.org/.

THE POSITION

The Bascom seeks an Executive Director who will lead the organization into its next phase of growth and development. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide the aspirational vision necessary to co-create, implement, and fulfill its long-term business strategies (Master Plan), priorities, and creative direction.

The Executive Director will oversee daily operations. Providing direction of all programs, staff, community outreach and engagement, and be responsible for the following functions: exhibitions, education, and outreach; development; finance; marketing; retail shop and venue management; ceramics; facilities. Externally, as the face of the organization, the individual will take a leading role in fundraising, champion the organization and its programs, build brand awareness, and generally increase levels of support and engagement.

Embracing what is unique about Highlands and the surrounding area as a creative community, the Executive Director will be committed to providing deeply engaging, signature programming that uplifts the artistic and cultural assets of the region.

PRIORITIES AND ONGOING RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director will have the following priorities and ongoing responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an overarching vision for the organization – congruent with The Bascom's Vision and Priorities Statement – which includes an increased focus on community engagement and partnerships, expanded exhibitions and programs, and The Bascom's untapped potential for increased earned revenue.

• As chief fundraiser, oversee current fundraising activities and work closely with the Board, The Bascom's fundraising consultant, and a to-be-hired development professional to cultivate important relationships, secure gifts and grants, and create an actionable plan for fundraising; set in motion plans for the launch of a capital campaign in the near future.

• Work closely with the Board of Directors; actively develop and cultivate relations with directors that foster involvement and stability; bring forth their best ideas, efforts, resources, contacts, and support.

• Maximize the greatest/best use of campus facilities and resources; foster additional opportunities for revenue generation, increased retail sales, and added studio/classroom opportunities.

• Ensure by effective leadership and management that the day-to-day operations and budget are efficiently administered, and that the organization achieves and remains on stable financial footing from an operational perspective.

• Manage and direct a dedicated and passionate staff, supervise, motivate, empower, and delegate appropriate responsibility among staff members.

• Organize, plan, promote, and diversify exhibitions that will broaden focus and appeal to a range of donor interests; provide oversight for the development of a long-range exhibition schedule; explore the potential for bigger shows.

• Increase The Bascom's public awareness, visibility, and brand power in Highlands, Cashiers, and other nearby communities, through traditional and digital platforms; serve as the spokesperson and liaison with local media and community organizations.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

The ideal candidate will have artistic vision along with demonstrable real world management skills – a real left-brain right-brain person. This person will also be or have:

• Senior-level management and leadership experience within an arts center, museum, nonprofit cultural, educational, or academic institution or the like, with interest in and/or a personal connection to the visual arts; contacts and experience with living artists and an understanding of the arts community are a plus.

• A commitment to arts education, educational outreach, networking, and presenting thought-provoking exhibitions, classes, and programming that attract and engage a broad range of youth and adult artists, learners, and patrons.

• Successful track record as a fundraiser with measurable results in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new donors; a person who appreciates the importance of relationship building, with the ability to connect with untapped philanthropic resources; capital campaign experience, though not required, is a plus.

• Strong business acumen, financial management and analytical skills, combined with a record of success in managing people, operations, facilities, and budgets.

• A proven manager, able to provide guidance, collaborate and recognize effort, clarify and enhance roles and responsibilities; an understanding of human resources including staffing, onboarding, and policy development.

• Marketing and public relations savvy, able to build on The Bascom's social media presence.

• Exceptional oral, written, and visual communication skills and demonstrated public-speaking ability.

The ideal candidate will also have or be:

• A servant leader – the heart of the organization – committed to the mission of The Bascom and its role in creating visual art experiences that inspire and empower others.

• Able to set and stretch boundaries and priorities, while balancing the needs of staff and resources; hardworking and energetic, with a strong sense of personal and professional integrity.

• A proven commitment to and understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to an organization's success.

• A responsive and effective listener who is compassionate and open to new ideas.

• A creative problem solver, likeable, accessible, and visible in the community; flexible, supportive, and willing to get hands dirty as necessary.

The Bascom is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and equal opportunity employer offering competitive salaries and benefits in an enriching working environment.

The compensation range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000, with additional housing allowance provided.

Please send nominations, or applications including cover letters and CVs, to Mark Tarnacki at TheBascom@PhillipsOppenheim.com.