Artistic Director

Artistic Director
Schedule: Full Time
Compensation: Salaried / Exempt; Robust benefits package

About GoggleWorks Center for the Arts

Located in downtown Reading, PA, GoggleWorks operates in a former goggle factory and is composed of 145,000 square feet of creative space. The 501c3 nonprofit offers year-round arts education, including workshops, classes, and visiting artists; community outreach programs; a summer residency; youth programs and camps; 35 on-site studio artists; the Albert and Eunice Boscov theater; three galleries for exhibitions; the Berks Launchbox maker space; and over a dozen vibrant educational studio environments-hot glass, wood, printmaking, warm glass, textiles, drawing and painting, music, metals, ceramics, photography, virtual reality, and urban gardens. For more information visit www.goggleworks.org.

Our Mission

GoggleWorks’ mission is to transform lives through unique interactions with art.

Position Description

The Artistic Director is responsible for developing and steering the overall content and creative identity of GoggleWorks, in line with our artistic vision and philosophy. The Artistic Director provides direction and support to the programs department, studio leaders, gallery staff, and other creative departments to ensure GoggleWorks is offering an eclectic, professional and inspiring experience for its students and visitors.

The Artistic Director works closely with other members of the executive staff, including the Executive Director, Director of Operations, Marketing Director, Finance Director, Facilities Director and Events Rental Director, to guide GoggleWorks’ strategic development in an effort to maximize community impact, long term financial sustainability, artistic relevance, and reputation. The Artistic Director will also work to ensure that all of GoggleWorks’ studios facilities and programs are held to the highest standards of operation and excellence.

The Artistic Director will drive GoggleWorks’ overall student experience through the development and implementation of a robust schedule of public events, programs, and exhibitions in line with artistic vision and seasonal themes. The role will prioritize the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion across their work and the organization. Overseeing the program department, the Artistic Director will drive creative program development and studio experiences in line with GoggleWorks mission and core values.

Reports to 

Executive Director

Direct Reports

Hot Glass Studio Manager, Ceramic Studio Manager, 2D Studio Manager, Wood Studio Technician, Metals Studio Technician, Programs Manager, Garden Manager, Gallery Manager, Teaching Artists

Qualifications

• 5 or more years experience in some combination of relevant areas: leadership, education, studio art, etc
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent additional work experience.
• Experience strategizing and implementing long term projects and initiatives
• Exceptional skills inspiring and leading teams
• Familiarity with skills and tactics of program development, studio art, fund/resource development, recruitment, and business management
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, efficient and background managing projects
• Collaborative and creative thinking to “connect the dots” and develop strategic programming plans
• Knowledge of and experience with Zoho CRM, Square, WooCommerce, or comparable content management, registration, or ticketing systems.
• Proficiency in or ability to quickly learn Google suite software (Gmail, Gcal, Google Docs, Sheets, etc)
• Capable of working a flexible schedule including some nights and weekends
• Ability to work independently with little supervision

Key Responsibilities: 

• Design and Oversee the artistic mission
• Serve on executive staff team, advising the Executive Director, collaborating on strategic goals, guiding organizational culture, and carrying out Board directives
• Superintend art studio operations, including classes, rental programs, workshops, and special programs
• Carry out GoggleWorks long-range strategic plan and vision to expand the mission beyond GoggleWorks’ walls through the development of outdoor programs and the construction of a campus Art Park
• Develop and implement campus wide policies and procedures
• With Director of Education, Studio Managers and Teachers, oversee the scheduling and planning process of course terms
• Superintend gallery operations to install a diverse, high quality roster of art exhibitions, and to produce complementary program offerings
• Manage the strategic development of Special Programs, including but not limited to a 4-year studio art major with Alvernia University, a roster of off-site outreach programs, an Artist Residency Program, the Student Ambassador Fellowship, R3, work exchange, and program internships
• Lead the recruitment of regular artist instructors able to offer a wide range of courses that will diversify GoggleWorks offerings
• Recruit fellowship mentors, guest curators and jurors, artists-in-residence, visiting artists and work exchange personnel
• Recruit and retain employees, volunteers and administrative interns,
• Collaborate with staff on strategies related retail consigners
• With Executive Director, Marketing Department, Event Rental Director, Director of Operations, and Signature Events Manager to plan and manage the development various special projects and partnerships throughout the year including off-site
• Draft and manage program budgets
• Continuously identify studio infrastructure and equipment needs in order to plan, execute and grow studio capabilities
• General studio oversight and studio manager supervision, including ceramics, hot glass, warm glass, metals, wood, printmaking / screen printing, photography, and materials lab
• Set and enforce the highest standards of operation possible in all studios, including cleanliness, safety, policy and students experience

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to hr@goggleworks.org

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, political affiliation or belief. Employment decisions are made without consideration of these or any other factors that are prohibited by law.