Dean of Fine Arts jobs in Houston, TX

SUMMARY

The Dean of the Core Residency Program plays a key role on the senior leadership team at the Glassell School of Arts and is responsible for ensuring that the Core Program aligns with the vision of the organization and that it maintains the professional needs of the Core Fellows at its center. The Dean of the Core Residency Program will also work collaboratively across the organization to ensure consistency with other key areas of Glassell, such as community engagement, partnerships, fundraising, and operations. Specifically, the Dean of the Core Residency Program provides leadership for the oversight of several signature initiatives including the Core Residency, the visiting artists program, and annual programming for three exhibition spaces. The Dean will be expected to represent Glassell and the Core Program’s efforts in the local, national and global artists’ community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Dean of the Core Residency Program will be involved with all aspects of planning, supervising, and facilitating the Core Artists residency program including the following specific responsibilities:

Leadership

• Collaborates with the Director of Glassell School of Art to determine short- and long-term program goals regarding the mission of the Core Program, as it aligns with the organization’s vision.
• Managing the programmatic and financial strategies to achieve organizational goals.
• Acts as a liaison between Core and other divisions within the Glassell School, the Museum and the broader arts community.
• Supervises the Core residents. This includes conducting two formal studio visits annually with each artist resident (and other informal meetings as necessary).
• Collborates with the marketing team for the recruitment and retention of new Core Fellows.
• Represent the Core Residency at the local, national and international levels in conferences, professional organizations and partnering cultural institutions.
• Supervises (2) the Core Program Coordinator and the Exhibition Coordinator to assist with administrative functions, ongoing projects, scheduling, and day to day operations.
• Maintain Professional Associations including but not limited to Artists Community Alliance (ACA) and College Arts Association (CAA), as well as attending conferences, networking and building relationships with other organizations and professionals.

Academics

• Directs the Core Program Coordinator and the Exhibition Coordinator to organize and facilitate lectures, seminars, exhibitions and other program activities.
• Directs the Core Program Coordinator to plan visiting artists and scholars programs including travel arrangements, lectures or seminar arrangements, public announcements for lectures, individual visits with Core residents, and the hosting of visitors.
• Oversees all aspects of and assists in curating the annual exhibition for the Core residents; coordinates all aspects of the annual publication, including but not limited to facilitating interactions between Core residents, the publication designer, school/ museum staff, and the printer as appropriate for the exhibition, Core Book, and exhibition mailer.
• Develops and manages Core related projects for the exhibition program of the Glassell School including but not limited to curating, coordinating, or assisting with exhibitions as well as the supervision of fellows projects.
• Drafts correspondence on behalf of the Core Program and assists the Development department with grant writing and additional support information for funding and grants. Assists with fundraising including the Core Salon and the “10 x 10” annual edition.
• Participates in the planning of and attends all Core Subcommittee meetings working with members to accomplish development goals as well as assists with fundraising for Core Salon and the “10 x 10” annual edition.
• Oversees Core archive records, website development and presence, P.R initiatives, and mailing lists.
• The Dean of the Core Program is part of the administrative team of the Glassell School, which also includes the School Director, Associate Director of Administation, Dean of the Studio School, and Dean of the Junior School. This team meets periodically to coordinate activities. Works on other special projects for the school related to Core Program and exhibitions as assigned by the Director.

Programming

• Collaborate with Director to oversee all aspects of program development including planning, scheduling, and implementing residencies, exhibitions, and public programs, while ensuring that program development strategically augments the work of other teams.
• Actively participate in the artist residency space, connecting with peers and colleagues for ideas exchange and professional development.
• Annual assessment of Core including but not limited to overseeing meaningful residence evaluation processes and feedback loops with resident artists and the arts community at large and implementing program changes as necessary.

Community Engagement

• Maintain involvement with the greater Houston community and local businesses and organizations.
• Prioritize support and showcase local talent within the program through various initiatives such as artists talks, usage of gallery space and integration into programming.

Governance

• Serve as Core Liaison to Glassell Executive Committee and attend Executive Committee Meetings and report on Core Program matters.
• Work with the Director to assist in the formulation of the annual budget and oversee the budget over the course of the Fiscal Year.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to think creatively and develop innovative and entrepreneurial ideas.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent proofreading and researching skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Experience managing teams.
• Experience working with the Microsoft Office Suite and other programs used by the MFAH.
• Excellent collaborative skills.
• An ability to maintain the highest professional ethics at all times.
• Knowledge of contemporary art including familiarity with current trends, directions, and interests in the practice.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study. An advanced degree PhD or MFA in a related field strongly preferred.
• Capacity to develop and articulate a vision for a similar program and creative activity that draws on, innovates, and differentiates our CORE program as well as the Glassell School of Art
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative experience
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive and academic excellence and shared governance
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and grow programs in strategic, data-driven, and innovative directions
• Track record of successful partnerships with educational and/or arts organizations as well as experience in coalition building with other arts institutions nationally and/or internationally
• Experience in supporting performing arts student recruitment
• Demonstrated success as a fundraiser (preferred but not required)

About the MFAH

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600 employees and 1,000 docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, three eateries and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 70,000 works of art in a wide range of media. As an employer, MFAH offers a supportive, collegial and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.

Position Available:

Title: Dean, CORE Residency Program
Reports to: Director, Glassell School of Art
Classification: Exempt/Salaried
Schedule: 35-hour work week – 9 am to 5 pm
Pay Rate: Please see “Compensation” below
Work Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work will primarily be performed in museum offices, conference rooms and galleries. With or without reasonable accommodation, the individual selected must have the capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to the other demands mentioned, the demands of the job may or will include:

• Must undergo and meet company standards for relevant criminal background and professional reference checks.
• Ability to successfully handle and complete multiple tasks concurrently.
• Seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly in order to communicate with staff, guests and others.
• Frequent sitting, with occasional standing, and walking.
• Good vision or corrected by use of glasses and/or contacts for reading and viewing abilities.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org

Benefits:

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed health care programs. All programs include substantial MFAH contribution.
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices. Includes substantial MFAH contribution.
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program, with MFAH contribution.
• Group health, dental and vision insurance coverage available and effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role.
• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:

• Paid Time Off - Used for time away from work such as your well-deserved vacation, illness of short duration, and any other personal reason. Hours are accrued biweekly, based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive ten paid holidays per year PLUS one floating holiday to be used for any holiday not recognized by the Museum’s holiday schedule.
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.

Other Benefits

• Staff may contribute to the MFAH Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible staff contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from the MFAH after one year of service. (We also recognize prior nonprofit service which will provide for an accelerated employer match!)
• MFAH Membership – Staff receive a free Family-level membership
• Discounts – Staff receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all on campus eateries and the Glassell School of Art.
• Metro commuter subsidy available upon request

Compensation:

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and the needs and requirements expressed in the job description. The MFAH has set the pay range for this job and level as a general guideline and not a guarantee of the compensation amount or salary. A salary range for this role has been set but we know additional factors may be considered in extending an offer including (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, candidate experience and unique qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities, the needs and requirements expressed in the job description, as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data, and any related regulations or other laws.

Application Procedure

Qualified applicants should apply online, which will be the most effective way to ensure consideration.

Application materials should include a cover letter, your resume or CV, and if you prefer, a list of references will be accepted but not required at this early stage in the process.

Applications or letters of interest sent via mail, fax, or direct email to a staff member will not ensure consideration.