Director of Artist Programs

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Responsible for overseeing the vision and successful implementation of the Foundation’s national artist-centered programs, the Director of Artist Programs manages a New York-based artist programs team of three and works in close collaboration with the Joan Mitchell Center Director to ensure alignment in the Foundation’s artist-centered approach and programmatic priorities.

Position Summary

The Director of Artist Programs is based in the Foundation’s NY office and responsible for overseeing the vision and successful implementation of the Foundation’s national artist-centered programs. The Foundation works to provide direct support to visual artists through our grantmaking, professional development, and legacy planning initiatives with the understanding that artists may best benefit from different types of resources at different points in their lives and careers. The Director of Artist Programs reports to the Executive Director and is a member of the Foundation’s Senior Management team. This position works in close collaboration with the Joan Mitchell Center Director to ensure alignment in the Foundation’s artist-centered approach and programmatic priorities, and manages a New York-based artist programs team of three.

The Foundation is currently three years into a five-year strategic plan developed in 2019. As part of this plan, in 2021, the Foundation launched the Joan Mitchell Fellowship—a five-year, unrestricted granting program awarded to fifteen artists annually, with grant funds paid out over five years alongside dedicated professional development resources and opportunities. The first cohort of Fellows will convene and begin professional development activities this year, and a second cohort of recipients will be selected and announced in the fall. In addition, the Foundation is planning a series of roundtables and focus group discussions throughout 2022-2023 to inform how it will approach legacy support for artists in the future through its Creating a Living Legacy (CALL) program. The incoming Director will be joining the organization at a critical point of transition, guiding the Artist Programs team through the implementation of the Fellowship program, while mapping the impact of unrestricted support to artists over time. They will develop a framework for how the Foundation actively engages its national alumni network, as well as oversee the wide release and distribution of the organization’s newest legacy planning publication to the field. The incoming Director will be a key contributor in programmatic visioning and mapping processes during the Foundation’s next phase of strategic planning in 2024.

Key Responsibilities Will Include

Strategic planning and implementation:

Lead visioning, planning, and evaluation for the Foundation’s national artist programs, sharing recommendations for strategic directions with Executive Leadership and Board.
Work with the Artist Programs team annually to set program goals, creating evaluation tools, processes, and timetables.
Ensure ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is reflected in program planning and actions.
Project manage design for new programs incorporating feedback from staff and stakeholders, and work with team to develop project plans for implementation of all programs.
Initiate regular meetings with Artist Programs team and other key staff and stakeholders, maintaining open and clear communication around priorities and future directions.

Programs for artists:

Oversee the national artist programs at the Joan Mitchell Foundation including Joan Mitchell Fellowship, Creating a Living Legacy Program, and all other initiatives.
Be a passionate and vocal advocate for artists and their value to society. Be an active voice in the artist support field and serve as the public face for the Foundation’s artist programs.
Continue to steward the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to DEAI, externally through participation in the field and internally through ensuring equitable and accessible processes and practices in program design and management.
Continue to nurture an artist-centered approach to program development.
Ensure values alignment throughout program design and implementation.
Clarify the Foundation’s approach to maintaining relationships with past recipient artists and future alumni as they transition out of the Fellowship program.
Serve as a liaison to the Board Program Committee and reporting to Executive Leadership and Board around ongoing artist program health, recommended developments and ongoing evaluation.

Management and team development:

Cultivate a working environment for the Artist Programs team that centers the Foundation’s values and incorporates a process of regular space for research and reflection.
Support and maintain the collaborative and generative work culture that already exists on the team.
Serve as an internal resource and mentor staff on program development.
Continue to support the internal relationship between the New York-based Artist Programs team and the Joan Mitchell Center’s Artist-Centered Program team to ensure alignment of approach and priorities.
Identify outside consultants and advisors as needed to ensure artist programming continues to be relevant and connected within the field.

Website and communications:

Collaborate with Director of Communications to plan and evaluate artist-focused communications strategies and campaigns.
Ensure timely delivery of program information to Communications team for website, news announcements, and other public channels; provide timely feedback and approvals for published materials.

Administration:

Oversee annual budgeting process and work with Deputy Director of Finance & Administration to ensure adherence to budget and receipt/invoice management over the course of the year.
Ensure sustainability of programs and initiatives both financially and through staff capacity.
As a member of the Foundation’s senior management team, this role is expected participate in bi-weekly Senior Team meetings with all Foundation Directors.