SEARCH: Executive Director, Friends of Fred Smith (Wisconsin Concrete Park)

Robert Foster, 1989.

Fans and advocates of Fred Smith's Wisconsin Concrete Park in Phillips, Wisconsin should consider applying immediately (there is a short turn-around) for the Executive Director opening for the site's non-profit institution, the Friends of Fred Smith, Inc. Read the entire announcement below:

THE FRIENDS OF FRED SMITH, INC.

Job Opening: Executive Director

In cooperation with Price County, the Friends of Fred Smith, Inc., exists to support the 16 acre Wisconsin Concrete Park and the 237 concrete and glass sculptures created by self-taught artist and retired lumberjack, Fred Smith.  Under the direction of the FoFS Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, the Friends of Fred Smith Executive Director will promote and fulfill the mission and financial objectives of the Friends of Fred Smith, Inc., “… to preserve the Wisconsin Concrete Park and all its resources, including sculptures, landscape, and the Smith Family House, and develop the site as a public educational and cultural facility.”

The Friends of Fred Smith, Inc. (FoFS) seeks a leader who shares our passion for the art of Fred Smith, who believes that creative expression and visual and performing arts are necessary for quality of life and innovative, economic vitality.

FoFS values strong, positive and transparent collaborations with several community partners and strives to provide to the public, cultural, historical and artistic resources which have the capacity to broaden our views, expand our collective and individual potentials and bring people together for the common good.

To this end, the responsibilities of the Executive Director are as follows:

General Communications

• Facilitate 2-3 board meetings per year and arrange quarterly Executive and Finance Committee meetings and monthly Educational Programming Committee meetings.

• Coordinate and produce an Annual Report.

• Represent and advocate for FoFS and the Wisconsin Concrete Park to the general public.

• Collaborate with other non-profit and statewide organizations to create a sense of a common good for area residents and promote the FoFS mission.

• Develop promotional package and ongoing communication with foundation management companies.

• Develop a good working relationship with all board members. Work closely with the FoFS President to identify organizational needs and facilitate board oversight.

• Work closely with Conservation Committee Chair to support site preservation; serve as liaison with area technicians.

• Develop a good working relationship with the Price County Board of Supervisors and heads of the county departments of Forestry and Parks, Tourism and Buildings and Grounds.

Fund Raising

• Expand grant support for FoFS activities and general operating support.

• Develop a Donor Database.

• Establish relationships with current Foundations that support FoFS; seek additional foundation support.

• With the Administrative Assistant, develop and assist in coordinating annual membership drives and fund raising efforts.

• Working with the Finance Committee, develop a long range strategy for fund raising and long term financial stability.

Education, Programming, Events

• Develop and coordinate activities with area schools.

• Coordinate Heritage Days, Annual Celebration of Arts in Action and other events held at the Park.

• Identify community needs and desires to coordinate the educational programming at the park throughout the year in accordance with the FoFS Mission.

• Develop advanced programming which will provide ongoing educational opportunities in specific media as well as a revenue stream for FoFS.

• Research other possible venues to serve area residents through introducing the arts into everyday life.

Bookkeeping/Clerical

• Develop and update a digital bookkeeping system including a check book ledger, income and expense spreadsheets, quarterly reports, and profit and loss statements.

• Develop an annual budget and review with Finance Committee.

• Handle all accounts payable and receivable.

• Perform all payroll duties including withholdings and payments to staff, recording data for tax purposes, and overseeing payments to state and federal authorities. Cooperate fully with FoFS accountant to meet all financial and reporting obligations of the organization.

• Record and track all details and listservs of workshops participants, events, memberships, fund raisers, donors, donations and inventory.

• Respond to all inquiries in a timely fashion.

• Work with Administrative Assistant to develop promotional graphics and avenues of dissemination including social media.

Volunteerism

• Develop and coordinate volunteerism in conjunction with the Administrative Assistant and FoFS Committees:  Promotion and Educational Programming, Buildings and Grounds, Finance, Fund Raising and Membership, and Conservation.

• Pursue collaborations with youth groups to involve them in the Park and instill a sense of “giving back” to the greater community.

Supervision

• Identify organizational needs and initiate recruitment, training and financial sustainability of new employee positions.

• Supervise staff as may be necessary to achieve the long term goals of FoFS.

ATTRIBUTES AND EXPERIENCE 

Requisite Experience and Skills

• Applicant must have a deep appreciation for the life and art of Fred Smith, and believe that all forms of creative expression are necessary to the enhancement and quality of everyday life.

• Congenial personality, must enjoy working with people of all ages.

• Excellent organizational, leadership, and financial management skills.

• Solid interpersonal and collaborative experience.

• Proficient with all Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel, Publisher and Outlook.

• Proficient in internet and social media platforms.

• Excellent time management skills

• Experience in policies, procedures and good governance practices

Preferred Attributes

• Non-profit management and/or arts administration experience

• College Degree in related field

• Program assessment and project management skills

• Photoshop proficiency
  
  

Located in Wisconsin’s northwoods, Phillips is a small city in a largely rural area with small, local businesses and a few larger corporations. Located on State Highway 13, an artery to northwoods vacationlands, by car Phillips is approximately 4 hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul, 5 hours from Madison, 5 ½ hours to Milwaukee, and 7 hours from Chicago. X miles to Ashland and Lake Superior.  Wisconsin is home to a remarkable number of vernacular art environments. Friends of Fred Smith participates in the Wandering Wisconsin consortium and in communication with colleagues at Nick Engelbert’s Grandview (Hollandale), the Herman Rusch Prairie Moon Museum (Cochrane), the Paul and Matilda Wegner Grotto (Cataract), the James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden, The Mary Nohl Home and Sculpture Garden, and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (Sheboygan).

THE FRIENDS OF FRED SMITH OFFERS:

• Professional development opportunities at an art environment recognized nationally and internationally as a leading vernacular art site.

• A natural environment of rural beauty amidst lakes, forests, rivers and wild creatures, easily accessible by well-maintained hiking, biking and motorized trails.

• A welcoming community of people who value this area’s natural heritage.

• An opportunity for independence and flexibility in the workplace at an art environment with a great potential for positively affecting the people’s lives.

• Industry competitive salary and benefits commensurate with entry-level administrative positions.

INTERESTED CANDIDATES should contact MARISSA RAAB at Express Pros: 

marissa.raab@expresspros.com / 715-785-7905