Described by Holland Cotter of the New York Times as a "bright light at the top of Museum Mile," and the "City's premier Latino art center," El Museo Del Barrio ("El Museo") recently re-opened after a $30 million renovation that expanded its galleries and public spaces while also reaffirming its commitment to exploring the influences of Latino, Latin American, and Caribbean art on American culture. A dynamic artistic, cultural, and community gathering place, El Museo is a center of cultural pride and artistic excellence.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Director of El Museo will provide the curatorial oversight, strategic leadership, fundraising acumen, and management expertise required to ensure the Museum's continuous growth and success. S/he will be a dynamic, inspiring leader who will build on the momentum of the past decade and will bring creative energy to El Museo's future vision. The Director will play a critical role in fundraising, and will work closely with the Board of Trustees and staff to sustain and build upon the financial health of the organization.
As El Museo's chief advocate, the Director will embrace a leadership role in the arts and cultural community of New York City, including membership in the City's Cultural Institutions Group. In addition, s/he will promote the Museum's interests locally, nationally, and internationally, and will further an appreciation and understanding of Latino culture and its rich contribution to North America. As such, s/he will maintain and build upon the museum's high standards of curatorial and programmatic excellence, ensuring that future exhibitions and programs complement El Museo's mission, further a dialogue with visitors, and reflect the Museum's commitment to education and community.
The successful candidate will have proven curatorial, management, and leadership experience in a museum or cultural institution. The Director must have strong organizational and strategic skills and have proven an ability to manage people effectively and to build consensus. Additionally, the next Director will have had previous experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives within an organization. S/he must be an enthusiastic and proven fundraiser with a record of success in developing both public and private support for an organization. The successful candidate must demonstrate an ability to cultivate productive relationships with a broad range of constituents and enjoy operating in the public arena, as well as be at ease with reporters and media outlets.
The Director will be an effective communicator who moves from English to Spanish with ease. S/he will demonstrate a broad knowledge of art history with a longstanding commitment to and passion for Latino art and culture as well as the art of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also crucial that the Director has access to national and international networks of artists and arts professionals who can be called upon on the museum's behalf. An advanced degree in Art History or a related discipline is highly desirable. Fluency in both Spanish and English is required, as well as a passion for Caribbean and Latin American culture.
El Museo has an operating budget of $7.5 million, a staff of 55, and serves an audience of over 160,000 a year. For more background on El Museo please visit www.elmuseo.org.
Nominations and applications (please include a cover letter and resume) should be sent to elmuseo@russellreynolds.com