Oklahoma Arts Council Job Opportunities

Executive Director

As the leader of the only statewide arts agency, the Executive Director is the voice of the arts in Oklahoma. As the leader of the primary source of public funding for the arts, the Executive Director must administer the resources of the Oklahoma Arts Council in a manner that will most effectively enhance the role of the arts in the lives of Oklahomans. As the administrator of a free standing agency of the state of Oklahoma the executive director must direct the agency in an ethical, professional manner and in keeping with the goals and objectives of its strategic plan and the laws of the state of Oklahoma.

Responsibilities of the Executive Director

• Serves as the agency's chief executive officer and reports directly to the Oklahoma Arts Council.
• Works with the Council members and staff to create, implement and evaluate the strategies that enhance agency activities and strengthen the Arts in Oklahoma.
• Works in partnership with the Council Chair to harness the resources of Council members and staff in pursuit of Council objectives.
• Advocates for and justifies the agency budget to state officials, including the Governor, Legislators and the public.
• Develops and maintains effective communication with Council members, staff and partners including the Governor and Legislators, grantees, local, regional and national arts organizations, and other state agencies. This includes attending and traveling to events around the State of Oklahoma.
• Motivates and cultivates staff in program evaluation and planning, the design of new initiatives and partnerships and the development of new funding sources to move the agency forward.
• Oversees management of the day-to-day operations, finances and administration of the agency including annual budget preparation and the staff's professional development.

Characteristics of the Executive Director

• Knowledgeable and excited about the arts, possesses an ability to inspire others to feel passion for the arts, and cares about artists.
• Understands and supports a diverse constituency including artists, arts organizations, local arts agencies, ethnically diverse communities, board members, community leaders and agencies, staff, and government representatives.
• Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills.
• Good listener, creative thinker, and active learner who is open and receptive to new ideas.
• Understands the political world and has an ability to work with others within that world and is aware of the ways in which an arts agency must function within a governmental setting.
• Possesses strong, proven organizational and administrative skills and has the ability to plan, set goals and objectives, and follow through.
• Team player who is committed to public service and for whom ownership of ideas is less important than results.

Qualifications

• College or university degree in the arts, humanities, business, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior management position with increasing levels of responsibility, preferably in the arts or an arts-related organization.
• Demonstrated commitment to the arts.
• Experience in staff supervision and development, public speaking, advocacy, arts programming and partnerships.

The Organization Structure

The Oklahoma Arts Council is governed by a fifteen-member board that is appointed by the Governor to three-year staggered terms and may be reappointed for one additional three-year term. The Chair and Vice-Chair, are elected by the Council from among its membership.

The Council employs the Executive Director as chief administrator for the Agency. The Executive Director works in collaboration with Council and staff to develop policy, and implement plans through grants, technical assistance and information services with the support of a full-time staff of thirteen.

The Council is funded by an annual appropriation from the Oklahoma Legislature and a federal-to-state Partnership Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council is the sole state agency that administers and distributes funds for the arts in Oklahoma. The budget for fiscal 2013 is $4.7 million.

The Programs of the Oklahoma Arts Council

1. Grants funding to non-profit organizations, schools, local and tribal governments:
   • Organizational Support for Arts Organizations
   • Project Support for arts and cultural activities
   • Project Support for school sites
   • Challenge Grants for Local Governments
2. Services to the Field
   • Program development in the areas of Community Arts Programs,
     Arts Education in Schools, and Arts Learning in Communities
   • Cultural Development to underserved communities
   • Staff technical assistance and consultative services
   • Foster partnerships and cultural networks
   • Recruitment of rosters of teaching artists and performing artists
   • Annual Arts Conference
   • Leadership Arts professional development program
3. Public Awareness/Communication
   • Communication Support that informs grantees, media and the public of the agency's programs, services and opportunities
   • Management of full-service website
   • Management of State Capitol public art commissions
   • Curates four State Capitol Galleries
   • Management of State Art Collection
   • Management of Legislative Loaned Art Program
   • Management of Governor's Arts Awards

Compensation

Salary is set by the legislature each year. Current annual salary is $64,680. This is a full-time unclassified state position with full state retirement and insurance benefits, including paid health, dental, life and disability insurance for the employee and 75% paid health insurance for dependents as well as an option to participate in the State's tax-deferred annuity program.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and a one-page cover letter, which includes a brief statement of his or her philosophy of the role of the arts in the lives of Oklahomans. Information must be received by April 30, 2013.

Send to James Pickel, Chair Oklahoma Arts Council, P.O. Box 21447, Oklahoma City, OK 73156. Information may be emailed to robin.nauman@smithandpickel.com. References will be requested at a later date.

The Oklahoma Arts Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer