Executive Director — Rapid City Arts Council

ABOUT RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Rapid City is the largest metropolitan area in a 200-mile radius, so it is an important economic, cultural, and health care hub. The Rapid City Arts Council is well-positioned to engage and connect with the vibrant surrounding communities of the Black Hills and Northern Plains, including those on sacred and sovereign native lands. Festivals, powwows, and art markets abound, in addition to diverse regional, national, and international arts offerings.

The city is nestled in the eastern foothills of the breathtaking Black Hills National Forest and features extensive greenways and trail systems within minutes of downtown, making it a natural destination for outdoor enthusiasts. You can enjoy world-class mountain biking, hiking, fishing, boating, golfing, rock climbing, skiing, and snowmobiling. There’s something for everybody!

Rapid City is also within 300 miles of 12 national parks, and five million visitors flock to Rapid City and the Black Hills every year to see top attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Custer State Park, and our very own Dahl Arts Center.

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City and Black Hills State University in Spearfish attract students from around the country and provide a wealth of innovative technology and education resources that support a diversifying economy.

The US Census Bureau recently named Rapid City in the top 8% of the fastest-growing metro areas in the nation and the fastest-growing metro area in the Midwest. Rapid City is growing faster than Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Collins, Billings, Reno, Charlotte, and Sioux Falls.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) brings art and people together in order to foster an innovative, equitable regional community through inspiring and accessible programming, dynamic collaborative partnerships, and committed advocacy.

Through a public-private partnership with the City of Rapid City, RCAC supports creative placemaking and economic development efforts, and is responsible for the management of the civically owned Dahl Arts Center, home to 6 galleries, a 250+ capacity events center, five classrooms, and a curated permanent collection of local and regional art.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

 The RCAC has emerged from the pandemic in good financial shape with a professional staff of nine.  It currently seeks a dynamic Executive Director to unify the organization as a team that is ready to serve the needs of a growing multi-cultural community.

Working closely with the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the Arts Council’s chief administrator, overseeing operations, staffing, programming, fund development, financial management, and strategic planning—while, crucially, acting as the organization’s public ambassador and the community’s primary arts advocate, cultivating relationships between the RCAC and area stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff Leadership and Management – oversees continuous improvement of RCAC team performance; hires, supervises, and evaluates staff; coordinates work with the Board’s committees, volunteers, and partner organizations. Conducts all business at the highest standard of integrity ensuring that all activities are legal and ethical.

Program Development and Management – develops, implements, and supervises programs and services that are consistent with RCAC’s mission and that meet the needs of community constituents.

Fund Development – develops, manages, and implements the fundraising and financial strategies of the organization.

Fiscal Management - develops an annual budget for approval by the Board; oversees the management of all funds.

Community Relations – serves as the chief spokesperson for RCAC in the community ,develops and maintains supportive working relationships , facilitates effective partnerships and promotes collaborative creative enterprises.

Advocacy – promotes broad community support of the arts by working with civic and business partners to articulate the value of the arts in improving our quality of life.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: 

The candidate for the ED position will have a bachelor’s degree in relevant area and a minimum of 5 years’ experience as a senior level manager or executive in a non-profit organization.

Additionally, the candidate will have:

• a proven record as a successful fundraiser
• outstanding written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• strong planning, organizational and analytical skills
• visionary and innovative thinking and creative problem-solving skills
• the ability to positively motivate staff and develop professional capacity
• the ability to work collaboratively and build trust with all sectors of the community, the Board of Directors, and staff

*Knowledge of the Rapid City area arts community is a plus.

COMPENSATION/START DATE/APPLICATION:  

Salary range:    $70,000 - $90,000 commensurate with experience

Benefits:           Health and dental insurance options, vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays

Start Date:        Immediate

Qualified candidates should email a current resume, together with a cover letter indicating interest in the position and salary requirements to Matthew Whitehead, Board Chair, at president@thedahl.org. No calls, please.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This position will remain posted until filled.

For more information about the Rapid City Arts Council, visit rapidcityartscouncil.org

It is the policy of the Rapid City Arts Council not to discriminate or allow the harassment of employees or applicants on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices, including retirement, advertising, job application procedures, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, job assignments, benefits and/or other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job. This policy applies to all jobs at the Rapid City Arts Council. The Rapid City Arts Council will continue to take affirmative action to ensure that individuals are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law in all employment practices.