Artistic Director of Chautauqua Visual Arts

Chautauqua Institution

Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities. Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conferencing, and events organization. The Institution’s office in Washington, DC is located strategically for an ongoing role in the cultural conversations of the nation.

Chautauqua Visual Arts

Chautauqua Visual Arts (CVA) is composed of the Chautauqua School of Art residency program, the Galleries, the Visual Arts Lecture series, and our Enrichment courses. It is not only one of the most respected summer visual arts programs in America, but as a cornerstone at the world-renowned Chautauqua Institution, it is also the only summer program in the world which brings together in one place such an extraordinarily high level of experience in the visual arts, dance, theater, symphony, opera, literature and intellect. The mix of influences offered at Chautauqua make our residency program uniquely dynamic, rigorous and most relevant to the 21st Century.

The CVA School of Art residency program invites artists from all backgrounds into the richness of our distinctive, intergenerational visual arts program that offers a range of opportunities. The program promotes experimentation and creativity through access to expansive facilities and instructional support across various media. Located in Chautauqua’s bucolic ‘Art Quad,’ each resident has access to an individual studio and the communal facilities which include: a ceramics center, printmaking studio, silkscreen shop, digital media studio, woodshop and outdoor sculpture pad. In addition, the School of Art Office has a curated selection of contemporary art books in our small reading library and ample outdoor space to make and perform art.

The CVA Galleries, under the leadership of the Susan and John Turben Director Judy Barie, are committed to introducing a growing audience to artwork that is inclusive, inventive, and created by established and emerging artists. We also focus on building strong relationships and conversations with collectors, art enthusiasts, curators and those new to contemporary art, resulting in a universal support of artists, both financially and professionally. The CVA Galleries and Gallery Store show a wide range of art from around the country, including museum quality exhibitions, regional members group exhibitions, and CVA School of Art residency artists.

Chautauqua Visual Arts strives to be a hub for some of the most talented working artists today, while encouraging others to discover their craft. As an extension of our exhibitions, we offer experiences for engagement with artists, critical discourse, education, and consultation for collectors, as we share their stories through daily exchanges. Lectures, docent tours, group visits, and interviews with artists and curators are also offered. The galleries are a place to educate and inspire our growing audience on the importance of appreciating and living with art, while exploring an artist’s vision and practice.

Position Summary

Chautauqua Institution seeks an Artistic Director who will help shape the model for the next chapter of CVA’s School of Art. The Artistic Director of Chautauqua Visual Arts (CVA) will step into this leadership role during a moment of transition, exploration, and opportunity, and will help establish a new model for the School’s residency and instructional programs. This is a hybrid position consisting of full-time on-site work from June through August and part-time remote work for the remainder of the year (fall, winter, and spring).

The Artistic Director (AD) directs Chautauqua Visual Arts (CVA), a dynamic hub for learning and expression which is comprised of the Chautauqua School of Art residency program, Strohl and Fowler-Kellogg Art Centers, The Melvin Johnson Sculpture Garden, The Gallery Store, the CVA Lecture Series and the growing education and community engagement programs. In recent years, and notably during Sharon Louden’s tenure as Artistic Director, CVA has deepened its commitment to Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA), serving a more diverse group of artists and breaking down barriers to access. The incoming Artistic Director will be charged with upholding and building on this progress, as IDEA are firmly rooted in the Institution’s values.

Primary Duties include:

SCHOOL OF ART

Shaping and Structuring the Program

In partnership with VP of Performing and Visual Arts, determine the shape of the School of Art’s residency program. At this juncture, possibilities include lengthening or shortening length (or number of) residencies, exploring residencies or workshops outside of the summer months, and experimenting with cohort size. Determining the shape and scope of the School of Art’s program will be the primary work of the AD, in consultation with CI leadership, in the fall of 2023.

Visiting Artists, Lecturers, School of Art Faculty:

Hire and manage all visiting artists, lecturers, and faculty

With support from CVA administrators, coordinate contracts, housing, travel, and onboarding

Help develop pedagogy / curriculum with faculty, including for any of Chautauqua’s community-focused “Special Studies” classes taught by School of Art Faculty

Oversee Open Studios and facilitate other opportunities for potential sales and community engagement

Administration:

Manage the CVA budget

Manage the CVA year-round staff and meet deadlines charged by Institution Administration

With colleagues, oversee the preparing, managing, opening and closing of all facilities

Collaborate with Chief IDEA Officer, Manager of Schools, and VP of Arts on orientations, trainings, and policies

Maintain relationships with the School of Art’s alumni network

Recruitment and Admissions:

Oversee recruitment efforts, including providing information sessions to schools or relevant organizations across the country

Oversee the application review and admissions process

Cultivate and manage partnerships with educational and artistic entities both in our community and nationally

GALLERIES

Galleries/Gallery Store:

Work directly with the Gallery Director and Assistant Director; provide oversight on curation of galleries and visiting artist events as well as progress against financial goals

Work directly with the Galleries Staff to ensure that exhibitions and Store inventory are in conversation with the field at large and reflective of CI’s aim to engage and expand our community of lifelong / intergenerational learners

GENERAL

Website/Marketing:

With administrative staff, update all CVA website pages before applications open

Supervise core staff in producing content for newsletters, social media, and content for CI Marketing

Supervise staff members in updating mailing list

Advancement and Stakeholder relations:

In consultation with Advancement and VP of Arts, build relationships with donors and key supporters of CVA, including the “Friends of CVA” group and their board

Offer and conduct tours for donors

Support the organization of CVA gatherings hosted by donors each year

Other:

Provide occasional thought partnership and consultation to VP of Performing and Visual Arts on matters including, but not limited to: 150 Forward, 150th Anniversary, future years’ weekly themes, artists, curators, museum personnel, nonprofit leaders, and other thought leaders in the visual arts and interdepartmental collaborations

Demonstrate a lived commitment to furthering the values of CI and the tenets of its IDEA plan

Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

Experience

At least 5-10 years of professional experience in the visual arts field, with a demonstrated track record of shepherding artistic processes and giving platforms to other artists

Experience leading teams, bringing projects to completion on time and on budget

Demonstrated experience with and commitment to working with diverse populations, especially within visual arts communities

Arts administration and/or organizational leadership experience is preferred

Experience in education, professional training, and/or residency settings is preferred

Qualities

A love of collaboration and a high regard for the grounding of organizational structure.

Should possess strong relationships with artists, curators, museum professionals, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and academic institutions

A demonstrable and active commitment to IDEA, with an ethos of artistic integrity and dignity for all involved.

Superior written and verbal communication skills

A strong social media presence is preferred

Is looked to as someone who models integrity, honesty, dedication, and balance

Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Internet, e-mail, and other business-related systems

COMPENSATION, START DATE, AND SCHEDULE

Chautauqua Institution aims to identify an AD by September 1, 2023, with the AD transitioning into the role in the fall of 2023.

The AD works remotely for an average of approximately 20-30 hours per week in the fall, winter, and spring, while living on-site (housing provided by CI in summer) and working full-time in Chautauqua for the duration of the summer season. In the fall, winter, and spring, the AD will be expected to meet deadlines and respond to e-mails in a timely manner year-round, as well as to make best efforts to be available for key meetings. CI understands and celebrates that the AD will have professional commitments in the fall, winter, and spring. During the summer season, the AD will be fully available for all business, artistic, and educational matters, and will not make professional commitments outside of CVA.

Compensation for this position is $60,000 annually, prorated for work in any partial year. Housing is provided for this position during the summer.

Candidates for the AD position may apply here by March 27, 2023. A cover letter (not to exceed two pages), resume and/or CV, two or more professional references, and a link to any supporting materials (e.g. website, portfolio) are required. Candidates are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.