NASAA CEO Search - National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

www.nasaa-arts.org
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)
ORGANIZATION
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership
association that unites, represents, and serves the nation's state and jurisdictional arts agencies which
support excellence in and access to the arts. NASAA's mission is to strengthen state arts agencies. It
represents state arts agencies’ individual and collective interests, empowers their work through
knowledge and skill building, and advances the arts as an essential public benefit. As illustrated in its
strategic plan, NASAA fulfills its mission in three ways:
Knowledge
NASAA facilitates the transfer of ideas, helping state arts agencies to pioneer, share and apply
knowledge about serving the public effectively. NASAA's research and education services
inform and inspire, empowering public-sector leadership for the arts in every state.
Representation
NASAA provides national representation for state arts agencies, ensuring that their policy and
resource interests have a persuasive voice. NASAA advances the value of state arts agencies,
bringing visibility and recognition to their accomplishments. NASAA also champions the arts
and state arts agencies, advocating for a robust public-sector role in American cultural life.
Community
NASAA connects state arts agency staff and council members, making the collective experiences
and wisdom of the field a resource for everyone. NASAA embraces both the differences and
similarities among states, widening understanding and creating common cause. Participation in a
rewarding and welcoming professional community strengthens state arts agencies in all corners
of the country.
NASAA’s work is guided by a strategic plan that charts NASAA’s overall course, setting forth goals,
objectives and principles to guide the association's work, including to:
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Develop financial resources, stakeholder relationships, and public policies that advance
NASAA and the state arts agencies that it serves.
Increase the knowledge and skills that state arts agencies use to effectively serve the public.
Sustain strong advocacy, research, and biennial Assembly and Leadership Institute
convenings for state arts agency staff and commissioners to support the work of those leaders
and agencies.
Since the founding of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in 1965, state and regional arts
agencies have received a portion of NEA program grant funds as mandated by Congress, and today that
amount is 40%. NASAA collaborates with the NEA and advocates independently with Congress to
ensure maximum NEA funding in each budget cycle to support thousands of nonprofit arts and culture
organizations funded directly by the NEA and through the state arts agencies. NASAA also works with
the six nonprofit regional arts agencies (Arts Midwest, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts
Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, South Arts, and Western States Arts Federation) that
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receive NEA funding from the 40% allocation. Additional NASAA strategic alliances include those
with Americans for the Arts, Grantmakers in the Arts, Arts Education Partnership, National Governors
Association, Cultural Advocacy Group, Performing Arts Alliance, National Conference of State
Legislatures, and numerous state and national arts service and advocacy organizations.
NASAA is a financially healthy 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with an annual operating budget of
approximately $2.5 million. One-third of its revenues come from NEA grant funds, one-third through
NEA-NASAA cooperative service agreements, one-quarter from member dues, and the remainder from
an area that has room for growth - contributed revenue and other earned income sources. NASAA has a
staff of 15 professionals with a Chief Program & Planning Officer, Chief Advancement Officer, Director
of Administration, Controller, and Legislative Counsel reporting directly to the CEO. Jonathan Katz has
guided NASAA for nearly 30 years and will conclude his illustrious tenure as CEO in late-2014.
Governed by a 20-member national Board of Directors, chaired by President Pam Breaux who also
serves as Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, the Board consists of
several standing committees (Executive, Audit, Development, Nominating, Planning & Budget), task
forces (National Standards Revision, National Awards), and advisory groups (Arts Education,
Partnership & Leadership, Arts Learning). NASAA’s Board cites several issue areas as important
considerations for NASAA and state arts agencies, including but not limited to: the place for the arts in
the innovation economy and in commerce; diversity and inclusiveness; preparedness (i.e. emergency
management, climate change, the protection/preservation of artifacts); additional revenue streams for
state arts agencies; broadening federal agency relationships (i.e. Department of Education); influencing
the national and federal policy discussion to include a vital role for the arts; impact of globalization on
arts participation and many more areas important to NASAA members and their positive impact on the
arts community nationwide.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the NASAA Board of Directors, the CEO provides the vision and strategic leadership
necessary to help NASAA fulfill its mission. The CEO leads the three key strategic areas in Knowledge,
Representation, and Community and is a champion and ambassador for the public value of state arts
agencies and the numerous artists, organizations, and citizens that those agencies serve. He or she is a
highly visible individual responsible for advancing NASAA's policy agenda and for cultivating
resources, relationships and programs beneficial to both state arts agencies and NASAA. The CEO
travels extensively and works collaboratively with the Board of Directors, membership, staff, and
partners to develop and fulfill NASAA's strategic plan and to sustain the organization as a highly
effective professional association.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Representation
• Serve as the spokesperson for NASAA and for the value state arts agencies deliver to the
public, with policy makers, partners, the press and the public.
• Set and attain federal policy and advocacy objectives that advance state arts agencies in
consultation with the NASAA Board.
• Cultivate productive working relationships with the NEA and members of Congress,
especially those playing key roles relating to appropriations and priority policy issues.
• Foster planning and policy collaborations between the NEA and its state partners and
represent state arts agency interests to the NEA.
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Exemplify and propagate best practices in cultural advocacy at the federal and state levels.
Build alliances with and present to other organizations in the arts and policy realms that
strengthen the state and regional arts agency network and NASAA.
Member Relations
• Communicate regularly with the Board of Directors and membership.
• Foster high levels of member involvement, satisfaction and retention.
• Serve as a trusted advisor, resource, mentor, and thought-leader for state arts agencies.
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and environmental trends
affecting state arts agencies.
• Facilitate consultative decision making and effective, member-driven governance.
• Promote the benefits of NASAA membership.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with culturally diverse communities.
Resource Development
• Ensure a collaborative relationship with the NEA in enhancing its public and financial
support.
• Develop and diversify the financial resources necessary to fulfill NASAA's strategic action
plan and ensure future stability and sustainability.
• Lead fund development efforts that secure dues revenue; garner government support; attract
corporate and philanthropic contributions; and generate earned income.
• Cultivate, maintain, and enhance relationships with current and potential contributors.
Planning & Management
• Oversee NASAA's strategic planning and plan fulfillment, including programs and services,
communications, evaluation and operations.
• Guide, supervise, and evaluate all organization operations and personnel, delegating such
authority as is deemed appropriate to chief staff officers and the director of administration.
• Mentor the staff, maintaining a positive, productive and collaborative working environment.
• Exemplify and engender a culture of member customer service.
• Oversee and ensure adherence to NASAA's personnel policies, procedures and performance
standards.
• Ensure that NASAA, as a steward of public and private resources, exemplifies excellence
and demonstrates accountability, transparency and compliance with federal, state, and local
regulations.
TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS
A passionate and knowledgeable advocate for the arts and effective arts policy, NASAA’s CEO will
have a well-rounded set of competencies that distinguish him or her from others in the field as a
persuasive leader with the ability to set and attain goals. The CEO will have a clear focus on NASAA’s
role in serving its members and have frequent interactions with the membership. He or she will have a
contagious enthusiasm for the arts and the work of state arts agencies with the leadership capacity to
move initiatives forward through mobilization of numerous stakeholders.
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The CEO will have superior conceptual thinking capabilities, able to proactively analyze abstract
concepts and scenarios, and thereafter establish specific, measurable, attainable, reviewable, and time
sensitive (SMART) goals and objectives that achieve results. He or she will be a facilitator of staff
success and professional growth and able to attract, develop, and retain top talent as a key asset. The
CEO will also recognize, respect, and actively promote diversity in all its forms, including cultural,
geographic and ideological differences keeping in mind that NASAA has stakeholders of all
backgrounds and political parties and conducts itself in a bipartisan manner at all times. He or she will
inspire trust and confidence in state arts agencies and NASAA as good stewards of public resources.
An experienced, self-assured, and dynamic leader with extensive knowledge and experience in public
policy, NASAA’s CEO will have superior interpersonal skills, persuasive verbal and written
presentation abilities, exemplary team building capabilities, and exceptional management expertise.
Ingenuity, dedication, enthusiasm, humor, and energy are key CEO attributes. He or she will have a
demonstrated history of working with culturally, ethnically, and geographically diverse communities.
The CEO will be politically savvy and forward thinking with a focus on how the arts best contribute to
the progress of society as a whole and the role of state arts agencies in that progress.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree, with a Master’s degree strongly preferred, and a
minimum of 10 years executive experience in association, government, or nonprofit leadership.
Candidates for the position will have experience in public policy development and a successful
advocacy track record at the federal, state, or local level. He or she will also have a deep understanding
of and sensitivity to the highly charged political environment in which NASAA and its membership
function. Leading candidates will have broad knowledge of the arts and culture sector, particularly the
public benefits and roles that government agencies play in advancing positive impacts nationwide.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Competitive salary and benefits, including medical, dental, disability, life insurance, vacation and sick
leave, holidays, participation in a tax-advantaged 403(b)(7) retirement savings plan, pre-tax
contributions to cover commuting costs, and a quality of life in the vibrant arts community of our
nation’s capital region.
APPLICATION AND INQUIRIES
Send cover letter and resume (electronic format preferred) with demonstrable accomplishments in the
areas outlined above to:
Bruce D. Thibodeau, President
Arts Consulting Group, Inc.
304 Newbury Street, Suite 315
Boston, MA 02115-2836
Tel
(617) 448.0206
Fax
(323) 936.1196
E-mail [email protected]
NASAA is an equal opportunity employer,
welcoming and respectful of diversity in its professional community.
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