Executive Director

The New Art Center

Job Description


Position Summary

The New Art Center seeks an Executive Director who is the chief executive and visionary leader responsible for the overall strategic, artistic, financial, operational, and community impact of the New Art Center. This role will ensure New Art’s financial sustainability, deepen community engagement, drive strategic planning, lead fundraising and revenue generation, and inspire a high-performing team.  The Executive Director will lead with a strong artistic and educational vision, and be committed to supporting artists at every stage of their creative journey.  Reporting to the Board of Governors, the Executive Director will serve as the principal representative of the organization, stewarding donor relationships and partnerships with public, private, and civic stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Artistic Vision & Strategic Leadership

  • Provide visionary leadership to shape and sustain a compelling artistic and cultural vision that reflects the values and mission of New Art Center.
  • Partner with the Board to develop and execute multi-year strategic plans that ensure financial sustainability, propel artistic innovation, audience development, and community impact. 
  • Inspire creative programming that balances artistic excellence with relevance to the local community.

Financial Sustainability

  • Responsible for overseeing the assets and financial affairs of the organization to ensure New Art’s financial sustainability including developing long- and short-range financial plans, monitoring the budget and ensuring expenditures are in line with available resources, executing proper financial controls, and providing routine reports to the board and staff.

  • Lead comprehensive strategy for earned revenue streams including classes, public programs and rentals.  Oversee programs team in the  development and implementation of  compelling education programs that promote a reputation of excellence, stimulate student loyalty, and attract new students at all levels in their artistic journey. 

  • Oversee budgeting and financial planning to ensure long-term fiscal health and sustainability.


Fundraising & External Relations

  • Embrace the Executive Director’s role as a leader in fundraising to strengthen endeavors utilizing local, regional and national resources.  Collaborate with development staff and board committees to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and execute annual development activities.
  • Lead comprehensive fundraising strategies including major gifts, grants, sponsorships, individual giving, and special events. Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, funders, corporations, foundations, and public sector partners.


Operational & Organizational Leadership

  • Lead the creation of an engaged, diverse, and inclusive staff and faculty that represents New Art’s communities.  Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the staff and faculty to ensure open communication and alignment with New Art’s mission.  
  • Create and promote a positive, inclusive, and equitable work environment that attracts, retains, supports, and motivates a diverse staff.  The Executive Director will collaborate with staff to strengthen internal communication and collaboration throughout the organization and ensure annual performance evaluations are completed.


Board & Community Relations

  • Support the creation of an engaged, diverse, and inclusive Board of Governors that represents New Art’s communities. Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board  to ensure open communication and alignment with New Art’s mission.  

  • Build a strong, transparent, and productive partnership with the Board of Governors — including regular strategic updates and collaboration on governance, fundraising, and community outreach.
  • Act as the public face of the organization, expanding visibility in the Newton and Greater Boston arts communities and beyond.
  • Forge and nurture strategic collaborations with civic leaders, cultural institutions, artists, educators, and community partners 


Marketing, Audience Engagement & Branding

  • Oversee all marketing, branding, and communication strategies, collaborating with staff to define and implement a marketing and communication plan with the goal to increase exposure and engagement and achieve revenue goals., increase enrollments, grow audiences, and institutional reputation.
  • Ensure cohesive branding and storytelling that align with New Art’s mission.


Qualifications

Required:
  • Significant leadership experience ( 8+ years) in nonprofit arts or cultural management with demonstrated success in fundraising, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans that align the organization around shared vision and mission to achieve  sustainable growth.
  • Experience with a nonprofit organization, cultural or educational institution, or equivalent is required.
  • Demonstrated fundraising track record, including major gifts, annual giving, membership, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving.  
  • Demonstrated success in cultivating diverse revenue streams and stewarding major donors, grants, and partnerships.
  • Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and community engagement.
  • Passion for New Art’s programs, goals, and mission, as well as a deep interest in cultivating the donor community in the region.

Preferred:
  • Experience leading community-focused art centers or cultural institutions.
  • Established relationships with regional arts funders, civic leaders, and cultural organizations.
  • Advanced degree in nonprofit management, arts administration, business, or related field.
  • Newton residence and/or familiarity with the Newton community and Newton civic and cultural organizations.


Physical Requirements & Work Environment

  • Ability to work on-site in a historic, multi-level building that is not fully ADA accessible, including the regular use of stairs.
  • Ability to move throughout the facility to attend meetings, classrooms, exhibitions, events, and community programs.
  • Ability to lift, carry, or move materials weighing up to approximately 25 pounds on an occasional basis (e.g., event supplies, materials, signage).
  • Ability to stand or walk for extended periods during events, openings, meetings, and public programs.
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required for programs, events, and board activities.


Compensation & Benefits

  • Salary Range: $115,000-$120,000, with bonus potential.

  • Benefits: New Art provides full-time staff with an annual healthcare stipend, short-term and  long-term disability insurance, and generous paid time off, including anticipated office closure between Christmas and New Year's. Employees and their dependents have opportunities to enroll in New Art classes at no or reduced cost across the year.

How to Apply
  • Submit a cover letter outlining your artistic leadership vision, relevant experience, and interest in the New Art Center, along with a resume/CV to jobs@newartcenter.org. Please include Executive Director Interest in the subject line.  
  • First consideration given to applications received by February 1, 2026.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.