Residency Director at Millay Arts

Organisation: Millay Arts
Location: Steepletop, Austerlitz, New York, United States
Salary: $55,000–$65,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Contract: Full-time, year-round, exempt
Working arrangement: On-site, with some evening and weekend work
Application deadline: 30 October 2026

Millay Arts is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Residency Director to lead the design, delivery and continued development of its artist residency programme at Steepletop in Austerlitz, New York.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Residency Director will oversee all aspects of the residency programme, from applications and artist selection to the resident experience and programme evaluation.

The role combines artistic programme leadership with hands-on operational management, including coordinating the jury process, supervising staff, overseeing the organisation’s historic buildings and grounds, and fostering a welcoming environment for resident artists.

As Millay Arts approaches its 55th anniversary in 2028, the successful candidate will help shape the next chapter of one of America’s longest-running multidisciplinary artist residencies.

Key Responsibilities

Residency Programme Leadership

• Work with the Executive Director to shape the strategic direction of the residency programme.
• Oversee all phases of the residency cycle, including applications, selection, resident experience and post-residency engagement.
• Foster a welcoming, supportive and nurturing residency environment.
• Develop and maintain programme protocols, policies and eligibility requirements.
• Ensure application cycles attract a strong and diverse pool of artists.

Jury Process and Artist Selection

• Lead and coordinate the annual artist selection process across disciplines.
• Establish jury protocols, schedules and appointments.
• Maintain clear documentation of selection criteria, guidelines and decisions.
• Ensure the selection process reflects the standards and principles established by the Executive Director.

Programme Evaluation

• Track residency outcomes, including applicant trends, acceptance rates, disciplinary diversity, resident experiences and alumni engagement.
• Develop programme metrics and provide regular reports and recommendations to the Executive Director.
• Gather and evaluate resident feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assess the programme’s broader impact on artists and the field.

Facilities and Staff Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of Millay Arts’ buildings and grounds.
• Ensure facilities provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for resident artists, staff and visitors.
• Coordinate maintenance, scheduling and seasonal operations.
• Supervise the chef, housekeeping staff and facilities and groundskeeping contractors.
• Manage relationships with contractors, vendors and service providers.
• Oversee the residency programme budget and report financial developments to the Executive Director.

Policies, Records and Administration

• Develop and maintain residency policies, procedures and operational documentation.
• Manage application records, jury materials, resident evaluations and programme data.
• Ensure institutional knowledge, vendor information and seasonal operating procedures are documented and accessible.

Alumni Engagement and External Relations

• Support the organisation’s alumni engagement strategy.
• Maintain relationships with former residents and contribute to alumni communications.
• Represent Millay Arts at professional gatherings and sector events.
• Identify opportunities for workshops, gatherings and other campus activities aligned with the organisation’s mission.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Leadership experience managing an artist residency, cultural programme or comparable initiative.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, including developing and maintaining administrative systems.
• Experience coordinating artist selection, juries or comparable curatorial and programming processes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience supporting artists and creative practitioners.
• Experience overseeing facilities operations, maintenance, contractors and seasonal upkeep, ideally within a historic or residential property.
• Experience supervising staff and managing external service providers.
• Financial management skills, including programme budgeting and reporting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and Google Docs.
• A commitment to responsible data management and institutional recordkeeping.
• The ability to work year-round on a rural residential campus.
• A strong commitment to Millay Arts’ mission and the artist residency sector.

Experience with Submittable or similar online application management software is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The position offers an annual salary of $55,000–$65,000, depending on experience.

Benefits include health insurance, paid holidays and vacation.

This is a full-time, year-round position based on-site at Steepletop in Austerlitz, New York. Some evening and weekend work is required.

 

Image: Courtesy of Millay Arts.