A Letter from Edith Walsh

Dear Community,

September 2008 will represent a new beginning for the Library Arts Center. After serving the Library Arts Center for 19 years, Doris Nelson will retire as Executive Director. The Board plans a dinner in her honor at the Library Arts Center Saturday, September 13, 2008. Please join us in thanking Doris for all she has brought to the region in the way of remembered exhibits, musical concerts, summer performances, and classes and workshops for all age groups.

Over the past nineteen years, Nelson has overseen and/or contributed substantially to the implementation of a wide variety of exhibits and programs that define the Library Arts Center as a gallery and studio of excellence. Many of the exhibits have been coordinated with other organizations including, but not limited to, the Newport Historical Society, the Newport Camera Club, Colby Sawyer College, the New England Sculptor's Association, New Hampshire Woodworkers Guild, Soo-Nipi Quilters, Shelburne Museum, New Hampshire Fish & Game, New Hampshire Ski Museum, Currier Museum and the Montshire Museum.

Some of Nelson's favorite shows are those that grew out of her visits to larger museums, and her ability to involve others. She particularly remembers the Anglers & Art exhibit which featured a myriad of mini exhibits: Sid Bickford's fish paintings (oils) on loan by a Newport citizen; the New England Fly Fishing Museum's sketches of fish complete with tied flies; the New Hampshire Fish & Game mounted fish; the largest trout ever caught in Lake Sunapee mounted & on display; a mounted fish display and picture gallery of the "catch of the day" from area citizens; and a variety of hand-made fly rods complete with casting instruction on premises the day of the opening receptions. We can remember many examples of how Nelson saw a national traveling show at a large museum and successfully emulated it at the Library Arts Center with input from the host museum and works by local talent

Nelson's position requires juggling multiple responsibilities and, at the same time, pursuing numerous avenues of assistance. Nelson has been persistent on behalf of the organization and has garnered over $122,000 in grants during her tenure. This is a competitive arena and most awards have been about $5,000 for specific projects or performance series. Thanks to Nelson, the Library Arts Center has a solid reputation with the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the Newport Charitable Fund which have consistently supported initiatives over the 19 year period.

We will miss Nelson's fostering a love of art in our youth, introducing gallery visitors to the arts, positioning the Library Arts Center as a well respected institution in the region, and developing relationships with regional artists, artists with national reputations, instructors, supporters and Board Members from many communities.

The Library Arts Center has stayed on the cultural map thanks to the Directorship and dedication of Doris Nelson. We all wish her well and remind readers to put Saturday, September 13th on your calendar for a retirement dinner in honor of Doris Nelson!

Sincerely,
Edith Walsh, President of the Board

Director Position

The Library Arts Center (LAC) a non-profit 501c(3) organization, seeks an experienced team leader to serve as Executive Director. Founded in 1967 and located in Newport, NH behind the Richards Free Library, the LAC serves the greater Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region by offering a diverse and dynamic range of visual and performing arts. A successful and growing, year-round Art Education Program serves both children and adults. LAC galleries and programs serve approximately four thousand people per year. The gallery produces up to eight exhibitions, annually. Local schools, civic organizations and art societies, as well as private citizens, use the Library Arts Center for meetings and events. With galleries, studios and a stage for performances and musical presentations, this multimedia center is poised for growth.

The newly formed, professionally managed, "Endowment for Arts Education" receives generous support from the community. Financing a range of educational opportunities, the endowment supports seminars for professional artists, lectures for the public, and scholarships for area youth to enroll in the center's year-round art classes, or to attend musical performances. The endowment also helps to support the "Summer Art Classes for Children" program. A separate endowed fund helps to fund operations.

Currently, several classes are offered for adults in a variety of mediums. It is the desire of the Board to select a candidate who will help them expand the Arts Education Program to offer increased and exciting opportunities for adults. The Arts Education program served over 120 students in 2007 and the popular "Arts for Tots" program alone served a total of 125 children in the same year.

Including the Executive Director, the Library Arts Center employs one full-time staff member and four part-time staff members/instructors. The center is governed by a working Board of Trustees and includes: artists (both fine and graphic); development officers; high school teachers and college professors; writers; art administrators; business people; and other professionals.

Essential responsibilities of the Executive Director may include but are not limited to:

Exhibits & Musical Programming

  • Conceives, schedules, and implements the production of gallery exhibitions.
  • Books and schedules performances and lectures.
  • Works with graphic designers to promote exhibitions and performances through postcard mailings/posters/flyers/newsletters etc.
  • Writes press releases to promote exhibits, concerts and lectures.

Art Education Program

  • Hires instructors, approves course descriptions, creates class schedule.
  • Works with graphic designers on syllabus and mailings.
  • Oversees class registration.
  • Writes press releases to promote programs.
  • With Board Treasurer, collects and tracks income from classes/ pays instructors.

Board Relations

  • Reports to Board of Trustees and directs the implementation of Board's policies and plans.
  • Prepares/mails agenda for monthly Board meetings.
  • Works closely with Board in scheduling, directing and implementing fundraising programs including special events, membership drives, business donations and grants.
  • Attends regular Board meetings and presents written monthly Director's Report and any special Board or committee meetings when requested.
  • Serves as staff liaison to Finance, Membership, Volunteer and other Board Committees.
  • With Treasurer of the Board, prepares the annual budget for Board approval and maintains accurate financial records of the organization.

Management/Operations/Facilities

  • Manages all aspects of the arts center including financial oversight, budgeting, and planning.
  • Responsible for daily operations of arts center. With help from volunteers and periodic help from paid personnel, clerical duties may include: answering telephone; written/email correspondence; record keeping; filing; website updating; etc.
  • Hires and trains staff; completes performance evaluations.
  • Oversees maintenance of arts center interior and equipment for both safety and professional appearance. Reports exterior maintenance concerns to Richards Free Library.
  • With Board, recruits and supervises volunteers; hosts appreciation events.
  • Writes Grants/with cooperation of Board, hires grant writers.

Community/Area Relations

  • With Board, consults with Town Office to determine proposed financial support from Town budget.
  • Writes article about LAC activities for Town Annual Report.
  • Represents LAC in area professional associations and agencies related to the operation of the arts center and in the promotion of the arts.
  • Contacts social, civic and business organizations in the area and provides arts information as requested.
  • Serves as head spokesperson to press (appears on television, sets up interviews with reporters etc. to promote programs/exhibits).
  • Develops and maintains sound and professionally appropriate relationships with artists, educators, potential and established donors and the public, as well as with Board members and volunteers.

Qualifications

Must have strong organization, communication and writing skills and the ability to motivate and inspire others. A team approach to management coupled with the ability to build solid relationships both within the organization and in the community is vital. Ability to recruit and work with volunteers is essential. Arts/non profit/business background preferred. Proven grant writing/fundraising track record desired. Must be computer competent and willing to multi-task. Bachelor Degree required. Masters Degree or comparable work experience a plus.

Hours/Salary

  • 40 Hours per week
  • Salary low 30's
  • Health Benefits
  • Paid vacations/sick days
  • Annual performance review

Please, no phone calls or email. Please forward cover letter, resume and contact information for three references by July 7, 2008 to:

Search Committee, Board of Trustees
P.O. Box #282
Newport, NH 03773