Artistic Director
Overview: The Artistic Director plays the leading role in planning, implementing, and managing the Wassenberg Art Center (WAC), including its diverse art programs, classes, events, and exhibits. This position oversees all aspects of the Art Reach initiative, including youth and adult programming, graphic design and marketing activities, and art room maintenance. The Artistic Director serves as the key liaison with instructors, volunteers, vendors, and internal staff, ensuring that all artistic programming aligns with the Center’s mission and is delivered in an inclusive, engaging, and well-organized manner. This role supports the WAC’s strategic goals and is essential to fostering equitable, accessible, and community-centered arts experiences. This role supervises the Business Manager and the Administrative Coordinator. Some evening or weekend hours are required for events or outreach.
Key Responsibilities:
Mission and Values Alignment
- Uphold the mission, values, and policies of the WAC and the VWCF
- Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth
- Promote equity and inclusion by ensuring accessible and welcoming arts programming for all
Leadership and Strategy
- Lead strategic planning and goal setting with the Board, and set and track annual priorities and outcomes
- Promote and foster a creative, collaborative, and accountable culture
- Make day-to-day operational decisions within board-approved financial and governance policies
- Escalate major or non-routine items to the CEO of the VWCF or to the WAC Board
- Balance responsibilities between strategic vs. operational priorities
Program Planning & Implementation
- Plan and implement artistic programs, classes, and community exhibitions, with logistical and registration support provided by the Administrative Coordinator
- Continue the strong traditions of the juried June Art Show, annual juried Photography Exhibit, Members’ Show and Sale, youth and adult Art Reach programming, and other exhibits that may happen from time to time.
- Provide program coverage plans in case of absence, and collaborate with other staff for shared logistics
Staff & Volunteers
- Maintain weekly staff coordination meetings to ensure aligned implementation and proactive issue resolution
- Oversee volunteer strategy and engagement, including partnerships and onboarding systems
- Improve systems that support staff and program effectiveness
- Create contingency plans for temporary coverage in the absence of key staff
- Hire, supervise, schedule support, and evaluate staff and contractors, and approve compensation per board guidelines
- Delegate routine administrative responsibilities and provide final decisions for non-routine matters
Artist & Instructor Relations
- Serve as primary liaison to artists and instructors, including negotiating engagement terms and preparing contracts
Exhibition and Event Logistics
- Maintain clean and organized art-making spaces, including managing supplies and inventory
- Coordinate logistics for exhibits/events in collaboration with staff, volunteers, and vendors (food, music, etc.)
Marketing and Communications
- Curate brand management on behalf of the WAC
- Develop marketing and visual communications for all programs and events, including graphic design, photography, social media, the website, the digital sign, print materials, and templates.
- Ensure the WAC is represented at community and public events
- Approve major public-facing messaging for consistency with WAC brand and mission
Governance and Reporting
- Attend board meetings to report on program progress, outcomes, and community impact
QUALIFICATIONS
- A degree in Fine Arts, Arts Administration, or a related field is preferred
- Experience in arts programming, event coordination, or nonprofit arts administration
- Proficiency in graphic design and marketing tools; experience with social media platforms
- Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to timelines and impact
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across diverse audiences
- Understanding of art education and inclusive instructional practices
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic setting
Interested applicants should email their cover letter and resume directly to meagan@vanwertcountyfoundation.org. by August 8, 2025.
Business Manager
Overview: The Business Manager runs the financial and operational strategy of the Wassenberg Art Center (WAC) in order to advance its mission. This role reports to and works closely with the Artistic Director, engages with the WAC Board, and is assisted by the Administrative Coordinator. Priority areas include operational management, fundraising, and public engagement. Some evening or weekend hours are required for events and outreach. Effective delegation and time management are essential to success.
Key Responsibilities:
Mission and Values Alignment
- Uphold the vision, mission and values of the WAC and the Van Wert County Foundation (VWCF)
- Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth
Programs & Events
- Collaborate with the Artistic Director to align programming with strategic goals and community impact
- Support event planning by ensuring adequate staffing and resource allocation
- Delegate logistics to the Administrative Coordinator as appropriate
- Approve and oversee facility facility use and rentals coordination with the Administrative Coordinator
- Oversee the gift shop, and obtain new vendors as needed in coordination with the Administrative Coordinator
Governance & Operations
- Establish policies and procedures and necessary to guide the work of the organization
- Review all policies, licenses, compliance, contracts, and financial transactions
- Assist with onboarding employees and volunteers
- Organize and support committees, including scheduling, logistics, and collaboration with committee chairs
- Prepare monthly board packets (minutes, reports, financials) and attend board meetings to report on outcomes
- Establish work plans that outline goals, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, resources, and evaluation methods to guide and track successful programming and submit for review by the Artistic Director
Finance & Fundraising
- Help develop the annual budget along with the Artistic Director, the Executive Committee, and the VWCF CEO by November 1
- Monitor finances and provide monthly analysis of programs and of the organization to the Board
- Strengthen sustainability through financial planning and fundraising with support from the Board
- Identify and secure grants, donors, and sponsorships
- Coordinate and assist with payroll
Collaboration & Support
- Provide support to the Artistic Director
- Defer final decisions on contracts, budgets, or brand messaging to the Artistic Director
- Participate in weekly staff meetings to support unified communications and logistics
- Build relationships with artists, supporters, and partners
QUALIFICATIONS
- A degree in Art, Business, Marketing, or a related field is preferred
- 5+ years in nonprofit, arts, or cultural leadership
- Skilled in budgeting, grant writing, and financial reporting
- Effective team leader and communicator
- Proficient in organizational and project tools
- Adaptable, detail-oriented, and proactive