Created in 1986, Swiss Institute (SI) is an independent non-profit contemporary art organization dedicated to promoting forward-thinking and experimental art making through innovative exhibitions, education, and programs. Committed to the highest standards of curatorial and educational excellence, SI serves as a platform for emerging artists, catalyzes new perspectives on celebrated work, and fosters appreciation for under-recognized positions. SI is committed to being an organization that is diverse, equitable, and accessible in its work, structure, and programming. Open to the public free-of-charge, Swiss Institute seeks to explore how a Swiss context can be the starting point for international conversations in the fields of visual and performing arts, design, and architecture.
SI has an active and engaged Board composed of 21 Trustees and a team of 19 full and part time staff. SI welcomes 50,000 visitors a year to its exhibitions, public programs and education workshops in a newly renovated 7,500 sq. foot space at the heart of New York City’s East Village neighborhood.
Position
The Director will be a dynamic and visionary leader who will work with the SI Board, team, and community to continue developing SI’s distinctive role within New York‘s cultural landscape, and ensure long-term institutional sustainability.
As the leader of SI’s team, the Director oversees strategy for the institution, including exhibitions, public programing, education, community engagement, artist residencies and publications. SI’s annual operating budget is approximately 3 million USD, 80% of which comes from private sources. Together with the Board of Trustees and development staff, the Director will actively secure SI’s funding and expand SI’s contributed support from both existing and new donors as well as increase earned revenue. The Director is responsible for overseeing overall operations and compliance as per New York not-for-profit Corporation Law.
Core responsibilities also include liaising with the Board and its committees, strategic planning, drafting and monitoring annual budget with financial staff, and managing all matters of administration in pursuance of SI’s mission as a nonprofit, artist-centric organization.
Requirements
In the next Director, the Board seeks a candidate with international standing, a track record for excellence in artistic programming, outstanding leadership ability and academic background. The candidate will have a successful track record in fundraising major gifts from the private and public sectors as well as experience in recruiting, managing and working effectively with a diverse team. The successful candidate will be a passionate, entrepreneurial, and collaborative individual with the ambition to build upon the success of SI and to transformatively lead the organization into the next chapter of its history.
Search process
The Search Committee is composed of SI Trustees Olivier Audemars, Latifa Echakhch, John Garcia, Florian Gutzwiller, Maja Hoffmann, and Michael Ringier, as well as two independent experts, Martin Hatebur (President, Kunsthalle Basel) and Laura Hoptman (Director, Drawing Center, New York).
Applicants are required to submit a six-page maximum PDF file including cover letter, resume and statement of intent outlining programmatic vision and institutional support strategy for the upcoming three-year period. Please also include notice period for your current position and names and contact details of three referees.
Please email: search [at] swissinstitute.net before November 20, 2021, 5pm EST.
Initial interviews for selected candidates are scheduled to take place between December 6 and 10, 2021. Short-listed candidates will be invited for a final interview on December 20 or 21, 2021 (dates subject to change).
For additional information and application details please contact: search [at] swissinstitute.net .
SI is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from BIPOC, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented applicants. SI considers all candidates for employment regardless of race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, sexual and reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
