About the Durham Art Guild and Position Summary:
ART. COMMUNITY. OPPORTUNITY. The Durham Art Guild (DAG) is a nonprofit, member-driven
visual arts organization established in 1948 – one of the oldest in the US! Our mission is to enrich and
connect our communities by creating opportunities for current and future visual artists and art
enthusiasts.
DAG produces over 40 exhibitions across multiple public partnership venues showcasing over 400
regional artists annually. We have primary public galleries in downtown Durham at the Truist Gallery
(3,000 sq. ft.) and at Golden Belt Campus (500 sq. ft.) and several temporary galleries that change
over time. Our membership base is over 350 members strong including artists and art lovers from
teens to adults at various stages in their creative journeys. Our other core arts programs are the annual
Creative Mentorship Program, the annual Artist in Residence Program, and the ongoing Art@Work
Program.
DAG is currently seeking to fill the position of Executive Director, a full-time position that will lead the
organization in executing all aspects of its mission and operations. We require an experienced non-
profit manager with a strong background in development and a strong interest in the arts. The Executive
Director reports to the Board of Directors and directly manages full-time and part-time employees.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Specific focus areas of the Executive Director will include, but are not limited to:
• Development & Fundraising - Create a ‘culture of philanthropy’ to increase DAG’s capacity to
meet the needs of artists and the community. Seek out new opportunities to improve DAG’s
financial position. Utilize and grow new and existing relationships, and develop new
partnerships with businesses throughout the Triangle. Work closely with the Fundraising
Committee to implement the annual discal funding plan (grants, corporate and individual
giving, sponsorships, special fundraising events and end of year appeal) to meet annual goals.
• Leadership - Ensure that the organization makes progress on the strategic goals and priorities
co-developed with the Board of Directors, oversee efforts of staff and volunteers to implement
programs and meet deadlines. Report on progress and challenges to the Board and
stakeholders.
• Outreach - Develop strong recognition for DAG amongst regional artists and the community.
Seek and foster new community connections and collaborations. Implement and monitor
marketing strategies and outlets including website, newsletter and social media outlets.
• Financial Oversight - With the Finance Committee and Treasurer, develop budgets and
financial reports that enable the Board of Directors to make informed fiduciary decisions.
Support efforts to produce annual tax returns and other reports as needed.
• Exhibitions – Oversee the programs and operations of the DAG’s two primary galleries, as
well as additional pop-up and collaborative spaces. Provide diverse opportunities for members
and other regional artists and increase DAG’s profile in the community.
• Programming – Oversee implementation of educational and community building programs
including the Artist-in-Residency program, the Creative Mentorship program,and professional
development events and community mixers. Cultivate, facilitate and maintain additional exhibition
programming opportunities through the Art@Work program.
• Organizational Management - Recruit, support, and manage staff, interns and volunteers as
well as support project team members at other institutions and contractors.
• Membership – With the Member Services Committee, recruit and retain members through clear
messaging, networking and by ensuring that features for members and the arts community are
developed and supported.
Required Qualifications:
• Demonstrated success increasing revenues and philanthropic investments of public and private
sources. Minimum four years of experience in development work including individual and
corporate donor cultivation, annual appeals, fundraising events, grant writing, sponsorship etc.
• Excellent organizational, managerial, and communication skills with strong commitment
to equitable practices.
• Experience with fiscal management, financial oversight, and budgeting. Minimum four years of
experience managing an organization budget of $200,000.
• A proven track record in building and maintaining relationships that foster a spirit of
collaboration.
• Passion for visual art.
• Flexibility to work occasionally on weekends and evenings.
• BA and/or equivalent years of professional experience.
• Physical requirements: four plus consecutive hours of sitting, walking, talking, and listening; able
to lift up to 25 lbs.; able to climb a step stool and/or ladder during installations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Power Point); Google Workspace, and
Quickbooks
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in the Triangle area arts community and knowledge of the resources it offers.
• Visual arts training and/or arts education background.
• Two plus years of experience volunteering or working in a curatorial or art handling field and/or
gallery management setting and/or working directly with artists.
• Public speaking experience.
• Marketing and/or graphic design experience.
• Knowledge of trends in contemporary art.
• Art submission software knowledge (Slideroom, Café etc.) and development software
knowledge (Neon, Donorperfect etc.)
• Prior racial equity training and/or community organizing experience.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish.
Commitment and Compensation:
This is a permanent year-round position. The position is full-time, minimum 40 hours per week and
additional hours as needed. Salary range is $55,000 - $65,000 and commensurate with experience. 21
days PTO and 7 paid holidays provided. Other benefits include a monthly stipend for group health
insurance policy.
The Durham Art Guild is an Equal Opportunity Employer. DAG is committed to equitable practice within all aspects of the organization and does not discriminate in any way including, but not limited to discrimination by age, gender, disability, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification, and gender expression.
