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- National Trust Lists America’s 11 Most-Endangered Historic Places
Among those selected are two sites that have drawn the ire of the Trump administration, the Stonewall National Monument in New York, often considered the birthplace of the gay right’s movement, and the President’s House Site in Philadelphia, which served as the presidential home prior to the capital’s relocation to Washington. – ARTnews
- U.S. Has Halted Flight Of Film Production Overseas (At Least For Now)
“Data from the first quarter of 2026 shows signs that the United States is halting the exodus of film and television productions to other countries. But it is doing so as greenlights on high-budget productions continue to decrease worldwide, leaving dozens of production hubs fighting for slices of a smaller pie.” – TheWrap (Yahoo!)
- Composer Thomas Adès Gets His First Official Conducting Job
The 55-year-old London native has long been active as a guest conductor, and not only of his own music. He has now been appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester, starting this September. – Moto Perpetuo
- Museum Wall Text Has Become Another Culture-War Battleground
“Traditionally, museum wall text has been no more controversial than signs pointing visitors to the restrooms, and the Smithsonian still has descriptions placed near objects in most of its galleries. But there have been changes at exhibitions in some museums where the subject could be potentially contentious.” – The New York Times
- Paris Judge Rejects Attempt To Block New Windows Commissioned For Notre-Dame
“A Paris judge has rejected a request to halt the removal of six 19th-century stained-glass windows by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc from Notre-Dame Cathedral, which are to be replaced by government-commissioned contemporary works (by artist Claire Tabouret).” – ARTnews
- Short Story Which Won Prize Last Week Is Now Thought To Be Written By AI
“’The Serpent in the Grove’ was named as the winning entry for the Commonwealth Prize from the Caribbean on Saturday and published in Granta magazine. … Shortly (afterward), internet sleuths — and a few literary critics — seized upon the work and its author, Jamir Nazir, reportedly a 61-year-old from Trinidad with few publications to his name.” – The Guardian
- Pirated Audiobooks Voiced By AI Bots Are All Over YouTube
“While piracy has long been an issue for the book business, the rapid rise of unauthorized audiobooks” — typically with vocally flat narration and unrelated visuals — “on YouTube, which publishers and authors believe are eroding sales for their books, poses a new challenge for the industry.” – The New York Times
- James Murdoch Buys “New York” Magazine And Vox
Rupert Murdoch’s younger, more liberal-leaning son has purchased, for a reported-but-unconfirmed $300 million, roughly half of the current Vox Media: New York magazine and its verticals (among them Vulture, The Cut, and Curbed), the Vox.com website, and the Vox Media Podcast Network. – AP
- Executive Director – NXTHVN via TOC Arts Partners
About the Opportunity
NXTHVN seeks an Executive Director to provide visionary leadership at a defining moment in the organization’s evolution. Founded in 2018 by acclaimed artist Titus Kaphar and impact investor Jason Price, NXTHVN has grown rapidly into a nationally recognized institution that weaves together residencies and fellowships for visual artists, professional advancement, exhibitions, and community-rooted economic development. The next Executive Director will partner with the founders, the Board of Directors, and a deeply committed staff to steward this distinctive model into its next chapter, deepening NXTHVN’s impact for artists and curators, for the Dixwell community, and for the broader arts and cultural sector.
This is a meaningful inflection point for the organization. NXTHVN has built a transformative Fellowship Program, a celebrated High School Apprenticeship Program, a robust exhibition slate, and a 40,000 square foot creative campus with adjacent fellows’ housing in the Dixwell neighborhood of New Haven. Over the past year, the organization has also expanded its Board of Directors to twelve members under the leadership of new Board Chair Hassan Smith, deepening governance capacity and broadening the networks available to support NXTHVN’s next phase of growth. The Executive Director will inherit that foundation and bring fresh strategic clarity, fundraising momentum, and operational discipline to support continued growth.
This is both an organizational stewardship opportunity and an organizational builder’s opportunity. The next Executive Director will serve as NXTHVN’s primary external ambassador and internal anchor, ensuring that the organization’s programs, partnerships, and resources are aligned with the mission, the founders’ vision, board policies, and community needs. The right candidate will bring a multi-million dollar fundraising track record, sound nonprofit financial stewardship, operational rigor, and an authentic connection to the role of the arts in advancing equity, opportunity, and community well-being.
About NXTHVN
NXTHVN was founded in 2018 by Titus Kaphar and Jason Price. The organization combines arts and entrepreneurship in a distinctive model that, through access, education, programming, and impact investing, launches the careers of artists and curators while strengthening the livelihood of the surrounding community. NXTHVN operates with an annual budget of approximately $2 million and is governed by a twelve-member Board of Directors.
Mission
NXTHVN’s mission is to create groundbreaking educational and professional opportunities, and to deliver resources, knowledge, and capital to underrepresented professional artists, curators, and members of the surrounding Dixwell community.
Programs and Impact
Fellowship Program
NXTHVN’s cornerstone initiative is its transformative ten-month Fellowship Program, which has gained national recognition for accelerating the careers of emerging and underrepresented artists and curators. The intensive, cohort-based program provides:- Professional studio spaces and housing accommodations
- Mentorship from established industry professionals
- Exhibition opportunities in NXTHVN’s gallery
- Professional development workshops and networking events
- Financial support through stipends
NXTHVN Fellows have secured representation at major galleries, presented work at international exhibitions, and received significant grants, awards, and industry recognition. The program’s alumni network continues to grow, creating a powerful community of visual arts professionals who support one another’s career advancement.
High School Apprenticeship Program
NXTHVN’s paid apprenticeship program for local teens has become a model for arts education and youth development. The program:
Connects Dixwell neighborhood teens with NXTHVN Fellows for direct mentorship- Provides one-to-one hands-on training in artistic techniques and professional practices
- Offers stipends that make arts participation economically accessible
- Builds pathways to higher education and careers in the arts
- Develops transferable skills in communication, critical thinking, and collaboration
Exhibition Program
NXTHVN produces four professional exhibitions annually, with three hosted at its Dixwell gallery. These exhibitions showcase the work of current Fellows alongside established artists, provide curatorial opportunities for emerging professionals, engage the local community through opening events and educational programming, attract visitors from throughout the region, and generate critical discourse around contemporary art practices. The exhibition program has received coverage in major arts publications and helped position NXTHVN as an important voice in the contemporary art landscape.Local Strategic Initiatives
Through its strategic initiatives, NXTHVN nurtures cultural and economic impact in the Dixwell neighborhood by supporting entrepreneurial ventures that benefit the local economy, providing event space and resources for community-focused businesses, connecting entrepreneurs with mentorship and investment opportunities, and creating sustainable economic development in a historically underserved area.About New Haven and the Dixwell Neighborhood
New Haven, Connecticut is a vibrant small city with a deep cultural identity, a celebrated culinary scene, and a long tradition as a hub for the arts, education, and ideas. Home to Yale University, the Yale Center for British Art, the Yale University Art Gallery, the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, Long Wharf Theatre, and many independent galleries and creative practitioners, New Haven offers a uniquely rich environment for an organization like NXTHVN to thrive. The city is easily accessible by train and highway from New York City and Boston.
The Dixwell neighborhood stands as one of the oldest African American communities in New England, with a heritage dating back to the mid-19th century. During its heyday from the 1940s through the 1960s, Dixwell Avenue was known as “Connecticut’s Harlem,” featuring renowned jazz clubs, Black-owned businesses, churches, and cultural institutions. The neighborhood has strong connections to the civil rights movement and is home to Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ, founded in 1820 and recognized as the oldest African American Congregational Church in the world.
Today, Dixwell represents a community that holds its cultural heritage with pride while embracing new opportunities for growth. Recent revitalization efforts, including the restoration of the historic Q House, have reinvigorated community gathering spaces. NXTHVN’s presence in Dixwell creates a bridge between the neighborhood’s storied past and its future, investing in arts, education, and community development to honor and revitalize local history. For the next Executive Director, understanding and engaging with Dixwell’s history, current dynamics, and aspirations will be essential to fulfilling NXTHVN’s mission of strengthening this distinctive community through arts and entrepreneurship.
Job Description
The Executive Director will provide leadership and strategic direction for NXTHVN, ensuring a strong and sustainable business model that fulfills the mission and expands the organization’s impact. Reporting to the Board of Directors and partnering closely with the founders, the Executive Director oversees fundraising, financial management, strategic planning, programmatic alignment, community engagement, and organizational development. The Executive Director also serves as NXTHVN’s primary spokesperson and ambassador to donors, partners, community members, business leaders, and the broader arts and cultural sector.
The successful Executive Director will balance internal organizational stewardship with external relationship building. The role calls for an outstanding facilitator, collaborator, and communicator who can earn the trust and confidence of founders, staff, Board members, program participants, partners, funders, and other stakeholders, and who brings the discipline to translate vision into systems, plans, and measurable results.Reports to: Chair of the Board of Directors; frequent collaboration with all Board members
Status: Full-time, exempt
Location: On-site at NXTHVN’s creative campus in New Haven, CT; must reside in or within 45 miles of New Haven
Direct Reports: Senior leadership teamKey Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Vision
- Lead the development and implementation of strategic plans and initiatives, ensuring alignment between programs, operations, and organizational mission
- Foster a culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous improvement throughout the organization
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships that advance NXTHVN’s goals and enhance its impact within the arts community and beyond
- Stay informed about trends and best practices in the arts, entrepreneurship, and community development to ensure NXTHVN remains at the forefront of innovation
Fundraising and Financial
- Steward NXTHVN’s strong existing institutional and individual funder relationships and cultivate new relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies, with the goal of sustaining and growing multi-million dollar revenue
- Develop and implement strategies to diversify and expand revenue streams to ensure long-term sustainability
- Oversee financial health, including budget development, financial planning, and fiscal management
- Provide comprehensive management of the facility’s balance sheet, including debt service obligations, ensuring long-term financial stability while maintaining programs and community access
- Ensure compliance with all financial reporting requirements and best practices, working with the Board to develop and implement sound financial policies, procedures, and clearly articulated key performance indicators
Community Engagement and External Relations
- Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for NXTHVN, representing the organization at community events, conferences, and other forums
- Build and maintain strong relationships with the Dixwell community, with deep respect for the neighborhood’s history, current dynamics, and aspirations
- Develop and maintain partnerships with arts organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and community groups to expand NXTHVN’s reach
- Oversee communications and marketing efforts to raise NXTHVN’s profile locally and nationally, ensuring consistent messaging that effectively communicates the organization’s value
Operational and Administrative Leadership
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the 40,000 square foot creative campus and adjacent fellows’ housing, ensuring these facilities support programmatic goals and provide an inspiring environment for artists, curators, and the community
- Develop and implement policies, systems, and procedures to ensure efficient and effective operations across all aspects of the organization
- Recruit, supervise, and evaluate staff, providing opportunities for professional development and growth to build a high-performing team
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative organizational culture that reflects NXTHVN’s values
- Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements
Programmatic Leadership
- Working closely with the Director of Programs and Exhibitions, oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of all programs
- Ensure programs align with NXTHVN’s mission and meet the needs of artists, curators, and the community
- Identify opportunities to enhance existing programs and develop new initiatives that further the mission
Board Relations
- Work closely with the twelve-member Board of Directors to advance the organization’s mission, providing regular reports on activities, finances, and strategic initiatives
- Support continued Board development and engagement, helping to build a strong governance structure that enhances NXTHVN’s effectiveness and sustainability
- Implement Board policies and decisions, ensure clear communication between the Board and staff, and leverage Board members’ expertise and networks to benefit the organization
Key Priorities for the First Two to Three Years
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of NXTHVN’s history, mission, values, culture, programs, and community impact
- Strengthen the organization’s financial position by enhancing existing revenue streams and diversifying funding through expanded fundraising initiatives
- Create a comprehensive business development and fundraising plan that includes pipeline expansion, stewardship of existing donors, and broader reach across key fundraising verticals
- Provide comprehensive management of the facility’s balance sheet to ensure long-term financial stability while maintaining programs and community access
- Conduct a thoughtful assessment of organizational strengths, challenges, and opportunities, and lead the development and implementation of a strategic plan to guide impact, community initiatives, operations, and overall vision
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with staff, the Board, fellows, alumni, program participants, donors, community partners, and other key stakeholders
- Strengthen operational systems and processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness across the organization
Experience and Qualifications
- Demonstrated senior leadership experience, with at least ten years of increasing responsibility and direct management of staff and teams
- Track record of success in nonprofit management, ideally in arts, cultural, educational, or community-based organizations
- Established multi-million dollar fundraising track record across institutional and individual donor communities, with the proven ability to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts at meaningful levels
- Fluency in nonprofit finance, including budgeting, cash flow management, audit oversight, and the financial dimensions of capital and facilities
- Experience overseeing capital projects, physical facilities, and the operational realities of a campus environment
- Demonstrated success aligning resources with strategic goals in an organization known for innovative artistic, educational, or community-based programs
- Genuine connection to the arts and to the role of arts in community life, with cultural fluency and an appreciation for the creative process
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
The Successful Candidate Will Bring
- Genuine passion for NXTHVN’s mission and a deep belief in the transformative power of art
- A commitment to cultivating belonging for people of all backgrounds, with humility and a track record of fostering inclusive environments
- A collaborative leadership approach that empowers staff, partners, and stakeholders, paired with the willingness to make decisive calls when needed
- Entrepreneurial mindset, with the creativity and discipline to build, test, and refine programs, partnerships, and revenue streams
- A hands-on leadership style and the willingness to engage with challenges across the organization
- Emotional intelligence and steadiness, with patience, sound judgment, and a calm, thoughtful approach in complex moments
- Clear and transparent communication, providing context, rationale, and follow-through to build understanding and confidence across the organization
- The ability to balance compassion with accountability, offering warmth and support while making thoughtful, sometimes difficult, decisions in service of the mission and budget realities
- Infectious energy, enthusiasm, and resilience to guide NXTHVN through its next phase of growth
- Highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in all interactions
- Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and to travel domestically and internationally as required
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $175,000 to $200,000 annually, commensurate with experience. NXTHVN provides comprehensive benefits, including health and dental insurance (employee contributory), paid time off, and holidays, in addition to a supportive and dynamic work environment.
Application Instructions
The Executive Director search is being conducted on behalf of NXTHVN by TOC Arts Partners, a national consultancy aligning strategies, structures, and leadership toward a thriving cultural sector. The search is being led by Edie Demas, in consultation with the TOC Arts Partners search team.
To apply, please submit your materials through the online application. Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the position profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a strong fit for this opportunity, and anything else you would like us to know about your qualifications that may not be evident in your resume. Applications will be accepted until the role is filled.
For general questions or to nominate a prospective candidate, please contact searchteam@tocartspartners.com. We kindly request no phone calls.
Specific questions about the position may be directed to:
Edie Demas
TOC Arts Partners
edie@tocartspartners.comNot sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that some candidates apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend to apply only if they meet every requirement. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
NXTHVN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership, parental status, military status, or any other non-merit factor.
- The book about truth that made things up
Good Morning,
The author of a new book about how AI corrupts truth has admitted that AI fabricated some of the quotes in it (The New York Times). You couldn’t make it up — though, apparently, a machine could. Another story reports on sham AI-generated “local news” sites now multiplying where real newsrooms used to be (Florida Tribune). An then a caution: The Atlantic’s alerts that wearable sensors increasingly mean everything you say is being recorded (The Atlantic).
Underneath this noise, the institutional middle keeps consolidating to survive. Boston’s arts budget is deflating as federal pandemic money runs out (WBUR). Pittsburgh’s two largest stage companies have merged, and theater artists fear the gig market that kept them in town is shrinking (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Texas Public Radio is merging operations with a local news nonprofit (Inside Radio). And more reporting on the Met Opera and its Saudi lifeline (Vulture).
A counterweight: Lincoln Center threw a gala for a Brooklyn luthier whose violins the world’s great players now choose over their Strads (The New York Times). The modern Stradivari of Brooklyn?
All of rest of our stories below. Till tomorrow
Doug
- A New Arts-And-Culture Magazine Focused On “The Creative Process”
“Former Pitchfork and Spin editor-in-chief Puja Patel is launching Totei, a publication dedicated to ‘craft and craftsmanship.’ The online magazine will publish content weekly, including profiles of artists and musicians, photo essays, reported features, and interviews. Crucially, Totei aims to spotlight rarely seen materials showing how art is created.” – Semafor
- Sham AI Local News Sites Are Proliferating
A digital mirage masquerading as local news, the South Florida Standard underscores just how easy it has become to corrupt one of the country’s core institutions: independent journalism. – Florida Tribune
- Author Of A Book About AI And Truth Admits Some Of His Book Was Written By AI With Fake Quotes
The author of a nonfiction book about the effects of artificial intelligence on truth acknowledged on Monday that he had included numerous made-up or misattributed quotes concocted by A.I. – The New York Times
- French Actor/Singer Patrick Bruel Faces Rape Allegations In Two Countries
Bruel, 67, has had a string of top-selling albums and appeared in more than 40 films, is under investigation by the Paris prosecutor’s office for at least four complaints of sexual assault in France and by Belgian authorities for an additional alleged attack in Brussels. – The Guardian
- The Tony Effect: Broadway Shows That Are Thriving After The Noms
Death of a Salesman, which received nine Tony nominations, hit $1.7 million, its highest gross yet, last week playing to 100 percent capacity at the Winter Garden Theatre. Ragtime has similarly been drawing increased interest since the Tony nominations, bringing in $1.2 million last week. – The Hollywood Reporter
- Much-Anticipated “Beaches” To Close On Broadway After Tony Shutout
The show began previews at the Majestic Theatre March 27, ahead of an April 22 opening date, but has failed to catch on with audiences and with critics, who delivered mixed to negative reviews. – The Hollywood Reporter
- This Philadelphia Orchestra Is Growing Like Crazy
To co-music director and conductor Gary Clark, GPGSO’s rapid growth makes sense in a city known for niche, DIY music scenes. It hasn’t exactly been a shock to the orchestra’s other organizers either. – Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
- New Artistic Director For Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
“After 18 years as artistic director and two years in dual roles as chief executive and artistic director, Debbie Blunden-Diggs, daughter of DCDC founder Jeraldyne Blunden, has passed the artistic director baton to Qarrianne Blayr, … has served as associate artistic director for five years.” – Dayton Daily News
- Why Peter Gelb Needed Saudi Money For The Met Opera
His supporters blame the Met’s issues on opera’s declining cultural currency and an operating structure that puts it at a unique disadvantage among arts organizations. “He has tried absolutely everything to keep his art going,” says Barbara Tober, a decadeslong patron. “He is held prisoner by the situation that confronts him every day.” – Vulture (MSN)
- Israeli Organization Threatens Suit Against Canadian Museum for Human Rights Exhibit
A prominent Israeli legal organization is threatening legal action against the Canadian Museum for Human Rights over an upcoming exhibit on the Palestinian Nakba, alleging the Winnipeg museum is promoting a politically one-sided narrative that could fuel antisemitism and violate federal law. – Winnipeg Sun
- Always On: Pretty Much Everything We Do Now Is Being Recorded
The next time you conduct a delicate bit of office diplomacy or share a romantic or financial secret with a friend over drinks, a sensor built into someone’s glasses, necklace, or lapel pin might be watching you and listening. – The Atlantic
- Dubai Says It’s Building A Big New Museum For Digital Art
“The planned Museum of Digital Art (MODA) … is part of Dubai’s monumental $27 billion transformation of its financial center into a tech hub, announced earlier this year, and will platform various art forms that rely on emerging technologies, including immersive and interactive experiences. No budget or completion date has yet been announced.” – Artnet
- Boston’s Investment In The Arts Is Deflating
The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture more than doubled its operating budget and staff, and the city earmarked $26.2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to bolster Boston’s creative sector. All that is set to change, as federal pandemic funds run out and the city cuts grant programs to balance the budget. – WBUR
- Can Any Real Reform Come Out Of The Ticketmaster/Live Nation Case?
With Ticketmaster signaling its intent to contest the outcome aggressively and drag out the litigation, any meaningful accountability may arrive only in the distant future, rather than offering anything close to timely relief. – The Hill
- Democrats Slam Live Nation/Ticketmaster “Sweetheart Deal”
Many of the lawmakers advocated on Monday for a Ticketmaster breakup. Raskin, for example, stated that Live Nation’s monopoly is so strong that artists are “seriously afraid” of the company. – Billboard
- Pittsburgh’s Theater Scene Faces Loss Of Its Resident Talent
With the merger of the city’s two largest stage companies and the programming of inexpensive-to-produce small-cast shows, Pittsburgh’s gig market for theater artists is shrinking. There may not be fewer shows, but the bigger ones are tours or imports. So there’s a real fear that talented theatermakers will move away. – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- “Death Becomes Her” Sets Broadway Closing Date, North American Tour
The musical, which garnered good reviews and 10 Tony nominations but only one actual Tony, will close June 28 after a 20-month run which didn’t recoup its initial investment. A multi-year tour will begin in September in Cleveland. – Variety
- World Premiere Of Wynton Marsalis’s Symphony No. 5 Postponed
Subtitled “Liberty,” the work was due to premiere the last weekend of May, performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and conductor Marin Alsop. A joint statement said, “All parties agreed that additional time would best support the long-term life of the new symphony.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
- Saint Louis Art Museum Chief Exhibitions and Collections Officer
Organization
The Saint Louis Art Museum is a world-renowned fine arts institution located in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, dedicated to collecting, presenting, and preserving works of art of the highest quality across time and cultures. Founded in 1879, the Museum has evolved into one of the leading encyclopedic art museums in the United States, with a mission to educate, inspire discovery, and elevate the human spirit while engaging and representing the full diversity of the St. Louis community.
SLAM stewards a comprehensive collection of more than 37,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of global history and culture, encompassing a wide range of artistic traditions and genres. Recognized for both the breadth and quality of its holdings, the collection includes works from six continents and continues to grow through ongoing acquisitions, research, and conservation efforts. Admission to SLAM’s galleries is always free, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to public access and civic engagement.
Located within the cultural landscape of Forest Park, SLAM presents a dynamic program of rotating exhibitions, installations, and interpretive experiences that highlight both historical and contemporary art. Through exhibitions, public programs, research initiatives, and digital content, SLAM connects audiences with art in meaningful and evolving ways, fostering scholarship and encouraging dialogue across cultures and communities.
SLAM serves as a vital cultural resource for the region and beyond, welcoming visitors from around the world and offering inclusive opportunities for learning and engagement. Through its commitment to excellence, access, and community relevance, the Museum continues to play a central role in enriching lives and strengthening the cultural fabric of St. Louis and the global arts landscape.
SLAM has a 13-member board of commissioners led by President Bradford K. Werner, a 64-member board of trustees led by President Jeana B. Reisinger, and a 46-member friends board led by President Brooke Ray. The CECO reports to the Emily Rauh Pulitzer chief Curator and Deputy Director, and has four direct reports, including the Director of Registration, Director of Exhibitions, Director of Art Preparation & Installation, and the Director of Conservation. SLAM is part of the Art Museum Subdistrict of the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District of the City of St. Louis and County of St. Louis (ZMD), a political subdivision of the State of Missouri. The ZMD provides approximately 2/3 of the museum’s $48.7 million operating budget. SLAM is supported by a $320 million endowment.
Sources: edited from slam.org; propublica.org
Community
Situated along the Mississippi River in the heart of the Midwest, St. Louis, Missouri, is a historic and dynamic city with a population of more than 300,000 residents and a metropolitan area of nearly three million people. As a major cultural and economic hub, St. Louis is known for its diverse economy spanning healthcare, education, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing, alongside a strong tradition of civic engagement and public investment. The city offers a compelling quality of life, with distinct neighborhoods, accessible amenities, and a deep sense of community identity.
St. Louis blends rich history with ongoing revitalization, featuring vibrant districts such as Downtown, the Central West End, and the Delmar Loop, where restaurants, cultural venues, and local businesses contribute to an active urban environment. Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States and home to SLAM, serves as a central gathering place, offering expansive green space alongside major cultural institutions. The city’s infrastructure, public resources, and central location support both connectivity and livability for residents and visitors alike.
Arts and culture are central to St. Louis’s civic life. The city is home to a robust network of cultural institutions, including the Saint Louis Art Museum, which offers free admission and serves as a leading destination for global art and community engagement. Through exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, the Museum plays a key role in connecting people to art and ideas. Across the city, cultural organizations, public art initiatives, and community programs, supported by municipal leadership and local partnerships, create opportunities for participation, learning, and creative expression.
Sources: stlouis-mo.gov; census.gov
Position Summary
The Chief Exhibitions and Collections Officer (CECO) of The Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) will lead and integrate SLAM’s exhibitions and collections operations. The CECO will oversee the planning, logistics, care, movement, installation, and preservation of SLAM’s collections and exhibitions, ensuring the highest professional standards across all related functions.
The CECO will serve as the primary operational partner to the Deputy Director and Chief Curator, translating curatorial vision into executable plans that are financially responsible, logistically sound, and aligned with institutional priorities. The CECO will enable ambitious exhibition programs, complex international and domestic loans, long-term and rotating permanent collection installations, and capital projects affecting galleries and collection storage.
Roles and Responsibilities
Executive Leadership and Strategy
• Provide vision, strategic direction, and integrated leadership for the divisions of Registration, Exhibitions, Art Preparation & Installation, and Conservation.
• Serve as a principal advisor to the Deputy Director and Chief Curator on exhibition feasibility, collections logistics, risk assessment, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Guide each exhibition project from concept to kickoff to opening and deinstall, with check-ins at concept, design development, pre-fabrication, and pre-installation, ensuring schedule and budget alignment.
• Use clear, consistent processes that reflect museum and exhibition-industry best practices.
• Participate actively in strategic planning, institutional goal setting, and budgeting initiatives.
• Align exhibitions and collections operations with SLAM’s mission, strategic plan, and curatorial priorities.
• Contribute to long-range planning for exhibitions, gallery rotations, collection care initiatives, and capital projects.
• Communicate directly with the Director and others on the Leadership Team, keeping them informed of issues relevant to their areas of responsibility.
• Coordinate meetings with the Museum Director, Chief Curator, Deputy Director, and Controller for scope, schedule, and budget changes.
• Embrace other executive leadership and strategy responsibilities as needed.Exhibitions Leadership
• Oversee the operational planning and execution of all special exhibitions, permanent collection installations, and gallery rotations.
• Ensure exhibitions are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with institutional standards for quality, safety, and scholarship.
• Work closely with the Controller to secure and document appropriate fine arts insurance coverage, ensuring that all artworks on loan for exhibitions are fully and accurately insured in accordance with lender requirements, institutional policies, and industry best practices.
• Review and recommend for the Deputy Director and Director’s approval all exhibition designs, including layouts, wall colors, casework, and enforce compliance with exhibition agreements.
• Collaborate with the Chief Design Officer to establish guidelines for all museum-generated exhibition and installation design projects to ensure brand consistency and high-quality visual standards.
• Establish and maintain exhibition management frameworks, timelines, and cross-departmental workflows.
• Foster close collaboration among curatorial, design, learning and engagement, communications, development, facilities, and security teams.
• Conduct weekly production and stakeholder meetings to make decisions and clear any roadblocks.
• Build and maintain Traveling Exhibition Program. Maintain venue relationships, negotiate schedules, fees, and contracts, and establish and report on measurable outcomes.
• Partner with Development on grant planning, budgeting, and reporting for exhibitions and collections care; provide timely exhibition overviews, budgets, and compelling narratives to support fundraising efforts, including sponsorships, grants, gifts, and memberships, and inform donor conversations; and collaborate on donor recognition and stewardship plans by helping coordinate cultivation events, previews, and behind-the-scenes access aligned with key project milestones.
• Embrace other exhibitions leadership responsibilities as needed.Registration and Collections Management
• Provide strategic oversight of all registration functions, including incoming and outgoing loans, insurance, indemnity, shipping, customs, couriers, and lender compliance.
• Ensure adherence to national and international standards, legal requirements, and lender agreements.
• Oversee collections movement, documentation, inventory control, and location tracking.
• Develop, implement, and regularly review policies and procedures related to collections stewardship and risk management.
• Work with the Controller to obtain fine arts insurance coverage to ensure the collection is properly insured.
• Embrace other registration and collections management responsibilities as needed.Art Preparation & Installation
• Oversee art handling, packing, mount-making, installation, and deinstallation activities for exhibitions and permanent collection galleries.
• Ensure best practices in object handling, display methods, and gallery preparation across all media and materials.
• Maintain conservation, safety, and accessibility standards.
• Coordinate closely with conservation, design, and curatorial staff on display requirements and object-specific needs.
• Embrace other art preparation & installation responsibilities as needed.Conservation
• Provide administrative and strategic leadership for conservation across all collecting areas.
• Safeguard SLAM’s collection by working with staff to establish and maintain policies and procedures that uphold the highest standards of collections care.
• Ensure conservation priorities support exhibitions, loans, preventive care, and long-term preservation goals.
• Supervise the development of a long-range plan for collection storage needs.
• Advocate for appropriate environmental controls, monitoring, and preventive conservation strategies.
• Support conservation research, documentation, and treatment planning in alignment with institutional priorities.
• Embrace other conservation responsibilities as needed.Budgeting
• Develop and oversee departmental budgets for exhibitions and collections operations, including shipping, conservation treatments, fabrication, and installation.
• Create detailed exhibition budgets and forward-looking financial models in partnership with the Deputy Director and Chief Curator, and the Deputy Director and Controller, track commitments, and ensure rolling forecast and projections are updated and accurate.
• Track, review, and approve all expenditures; resolve budget variances; and ensure staff compliance with established purchasing guidelines.
• Monitor expenditures, forecast costs, and identify efficiencies without compromising professional standards.
• Oversee contracts, vendor relationships, and external service providers; track and monitor exhibition shared costs.
• Embrace other budgeting responsibilities as needed.Management
• Maintain a single, accurate master calendar that integrates phased reinstallations, gallery closures and openings, facility shutdowns, venue rentals, and capital projects to ensure seamless institutional planning.
• Oversee a comprehensive multi-year exhibition plan aligned with institutional priorities and strategic goals, supported by a detailed rolling month-by-month and year-by-year schedule to guide cross-departmental coordination, resource allocation, and timely execution across departments.
• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and performance management for four divisional directors, fostering accountability, clarity of roles, and strong leadership across teams.
• Cultivate and sustain a high-performing, service-oriented departmental culture grounded in collaboration, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
• Approve and oversee all employment-related activities within the division, including hiring, evaluations, timesheets, PTO and sick time, disciplinary actions, succession planning, and professional development initiatives to support staff retention and growth.
• Promote cross-functional communication, shared problem-solving, and transparency across departments to strengthen institutional effectiveness.
• Represent exhibitions and collections operations in senior leadership discussions and cross-departmental committees, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Embrace other management responsibilities as needed.Risk Management and Compliance
• Ensure full compliance with museum policies, ethical standards, and professional guidelines governing exhibitions, collections stewardship, and institutional operations.
• Oversee emergency preparedness and response planning related to collections and exhibitions, safeguarding objects, staff, and facilities.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with object movement, display, loans, and facilities or capital projects.
• Secure and steward relationships with partner institutions, venues, and external collaborators; negotiate and execute contracts, including fees, schedules, and deliverables, in coordination with legal counsel and the Controller.
• Prepare and review all internal and legal documentation related to exhibitions and collections, including traveling exhibition agreements, contractor agreements, and acquisition or deaccession agreements, ensuring compliance with legal and institutional requirements.
• Communicate effectively with external stakeholders, including lenders, partner institutions, artists, donors, and collaborators, serving as a senior institutional representative.
• Maintain SLAM’s active professional presence through participation in national and international peer associations and represent SLAM in professional forums as appropriate.
• Embrace other risk management and compliance responsibilities as needed.Traits and Characteristics
The Chief Exhibitions and Collections Officer will be a collaborative and people-oriented leader who excels in building strong relationships across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, contributing meaningfully in a supportive, team-driven environment. Analytical and structured in their approach, they will be adept at compiling, organizing, and interpreting complex information while relying on proven methods and systems to guide decision-making and operations. Resourceful and results-driven, they will focus on achieving practical outcomes, maximizing the effective use of time, talent, and institutional resources to advance SLAM’s exhibitions and collections strategies. Assertive and competitive when needed, they will demonstrate a clear will to win in navigating high-stakes opportunities and positioning SLAM for continued excellence and relevance. Highly organized and methodical, they establish and maintain clear systems, priorities, and workflows that support efficiency, accountability, and a productive working environment. Balancing rigor with adaptability, they will foster a dynamic, mission-driven environment that supports innovation, stewardship, and meaningful public engagement.
Other key competencies include:
• Project Management – The capability to identify and oversee all resources, tasks, systems, and people to obtain results.
• Time and Priority Management – The organizational acumen to prioritize and complete tasks to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames.
• Personal Accountability and Teamwork – The capacity to be answerable for personal actions while cooperating with others to meet objectives.
• Planning and Organizing – The aptitude to establish courses of action to ensure that work is completed effectively.
• Problem Solving and Goal Orientation – The ability to define, analyze, and diagnose key components of a problem to formulate a solution while setting, pursuing, and attaining goals, regardless of obstacles or circumstances.Qualifications
An advanced degree in museum studies, art history, conservation, or a related field is preferred, along with 10 years of significant, progressively responsible experience in an encyclopedic art museum or large cultural institution. The CECO will bring demonstrated experience with capital projects, gallery renovations, or major reinstallation initiatives, as well as familiarity with international lenders and government indemnity programs, and a proven ability to manage large operational budgets. Strategic and systems-level thinking, strong project management skills, and the ability to lead cross-departmental teams with diplomacy and collaborative leadership are necessary. The CECO will demonstrate operational rigor, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities and high-stakes projects, alongside a deep commitment to the highest standards of professional ethics, stewardship, accountability, and transparency in all aspects of exhibitions and collections management.
Compensation and Benefits
SLAM provides a competitive and equitable compensation package with an estimated salary range between $210,000 and $240,000. Benefits include a comprehensive health program offering multiple medical plan options through Cigna, with access to in-network and out-of-network coverage, preventive care, and prescription benefits. Dental coverage is provided through Sun Life, including a fully employer-paid basic plan and an enhanced buy-up option, alongside voluntary vision coverage through EyeMed. SLAM provides employer-paid benefits such as short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance (two times annual salary), and accidental death and dismemberment coverage, with additional voluntary options including supplemental life, AD&D, accident, and critical illness insurance. Employees have access to tax-advantaged Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care FSAs, and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), as well as a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program offering confidential counseling and support services. Retirement benefits include participation in the City of St. Louis defined benefit pension plan and access to 403(b) retirement savings plans through TIAA and Fidelity.
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/the-saint-louis-art-museum-seeks-chief-exhibitions-and-collections-officer/
SLAM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience, without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
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