What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of External Affairs position at Peninsula School of Art?

Peninsula School of Art (PenArt) is Door County’s inclusive destination for art makers, admirers, students, and advocates – cultivating personal and community wellbeing through classes, programs, and discourse. Since 1965, PenArt has been a leading innovator of creative experiences and arts education for participants of all ages and abilities. Each year, PenArt offers over 2,000 hours of arts instruction to some 700 adult students, and more than 500 hours of instruction to over 300 youth. At the annual Door County Plein Air Festival, thousands of participants engage with world class artists as they paint the Peninsula’s most iconic outdoor scenes. Dynamic events, workshops, exhibitions, and artist residencies celebrate and support people at all stages of creative life while fostering a culture of belonging.

With new leadership in 2023, PenArt is experiencing an unprecedented and exciting period of growth and success. The organization is now seeking a strategic, driven, and experienced Director of External Affairs to lead efforts in development, marketing, and public relations. This is an extraordinary opportunity to live and work in the stunning beauty of Door County, a region known for its tranquil winters, vibrant summers, protected landscapes, and abundant local amenities.

As the Director of External Affairs, you will help implement PenArt’s recently adopted five-year strategic plan. This robust plan provides a clear and exciting vision for the future of PenArt, as well as an ambitious yet achievable roadmap for development and marketing. Under new leadership, PenArt has more than doubled its previous annual fund records for two consecutive years and secured funding of $1.2M to pay off a construction loan. Additionally, PenArt received a prestigious $500K grant from the Ford Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the U.S. You will be instrumental in continuing this momentum by leading the integration of marketing and development functions to create a seamless, strategic approach to external affairs.

PenArt has also engaged the award-winning marketing firm, A2Z The Agency, to build and implement strategies over the next year. In this role, you will coordinate efforts with A2Z and a social media contractor, ensuring alignment with the school’s goals. This position requires deep experience with CRM systems, particularly Neon One, to optimize donor engagement and drive fundraising efforts. You will oversee the development of marketing and communication strategies that highlight the organization’s mission, programs, and impact, all while nurturing relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.

Director of External Affairs Responsibilities :

Fundraising & Donor Relations

Lead development efforts to cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
Orchestrate donor cultivation and engagement activities, including special events and initiatives to increase financial support for PenArt.
Collaborate with the Executive Director and development staff to secure major gifts and grants to support the school’s growth and sustainability.
Utilize CRM systems (Neon One) to track donor engagement and maximize fundraising outcomes.

External Communications & Public Relations

Refine and execute a comprehensive communications strategy to increase the visibility and reputation of PenArt within the local and national arts community.

Serve as a spokesperson for PenArt, engaging with the media, public events, and community stakeholders to promote the organization’s mission and activities.

Oversee the creation of content for various platforms, including the website, social media, press releases, and newsletters, showcasing PenArt’s students, faculty, programs, and alumni.

Ensure consistent messaging that reflects PenArt’s mission and commitment to inclusivity in the arts.

Integration of Marketing & Development

Foster a close-knit collaboration between the marketing and development teams to align strategies, goals, and initiatives.

Ensure that all fundraising and marketing materials and efforts reflect a cohesive brand and messaging strategy.

Leverage marketing tools and digital platforms to create donor pipelines and strengthen PenArt’s external relationships.

Community Engagement & Advocacy

Build and maintain strong relationships with key community stakeholders, including government officials, cultural organizations, nonprofit institutions, and educational leaders.

Represent PenArt at community events, advocating for arts education and the organization’s role in enriching the local culture and civic life.

Coordinate outreach efforts to engage underserved communities, ensuring accessibility to the arts for all audiences, ages, and abilities.

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

Work closely with PenArt’s leadership team to ensure that the organization’s external affairs efforts are aligned with its mission and long-term goals.

Provide leadership and support to staff involved in external affairs, including marketing, social media, and development contractors.

Monitor trends in arts funding, marketing, and public policy to identify new opportunities for growth and advocacy

All other duties as needed or assigned

Director of External Affairs Qualifications :

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Communications, Arts Administration, Public Relations, or a related field. Master’s degree in Arts Management, Public Affairs, or similar is preferred.

Minimum of 7 years of experience in external affairs, public relations, or development, with at least 3 years in a leadership role, ideally in the arts or education sector.

Proven track record of successful fundraising, including working with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.

Deep experience with CRM systems, especially Neon One, to track and optimize donor engagement.

Strong ability to integrate marketing and development functions, ensuring strategic alignment and collaboration across teams.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of external stakeholders.

Experience working with marketing agencies and contractors, with a focus on digital strategy and content creation.

Passion for the arts and arts education, with an understanding of the role they play in community development and cultural enrichment.

Why should you consider this position?

5 Day work schedule May through October

4 Day work schedule November through April

Generous Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays with a paid winter break

Simple IRA plan

Professional Development Opportunities

Relocation Package

Ability to live and work in beautiful Door County, WI

PenArt embraces the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, internally in our hiring process and organizational culture, as well as externally in our programs and communications. We are an equal opportunity employer, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

Salary : $500,000

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