Location: Clifton Forge, Virginia
Reports to: Board of Directors
Employment Type: 32-35 hours per week
Compensation: Commensurate with experience — $30,000 - $35,000

Organization Overview

The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, showcasing, and promoting the visual arts and craft traditions of the Alleghany Highlands region of Virginia. Through gallery exhibitions, a shop selling artists’ works, classes, and community events, the Center serves as a regional hub connecting artists, collectors, and the public.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is the chief administrative and operational leader of the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, responsible for the organization's overall management, financial health, community engagement, and strategic growth. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director works in close partnership with the Board, staff, member artists, volunteers, and community stakeholders to advance the Center's mission and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide vision and leadership in developing and executing the organization's strategic plan.

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and public representative of the Center to the community, media, and partner organizations.

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors on governance matters, policy development, and long-range planning.

• Working with the Education Committee and Curator, develop and manage art classes, workshops, and community programming that align with the Center's mission.

• Seek means for cooperative ventures with other area organizations.

• Attend Board of Directors monthly meeting as well as standing meetings when necessary

• Assume Cashier duties at least one day per month as scheduled and as required to fill vacancies

• Encourage Board of Directors to appoint and maintain functionality of standing committees

• Report problems to proper officers or committee chairman

Fundraising & Development

• Lead fundraising efforts, including grant writing, individual donor cultivation, corporate sponsorships, and special events.

• Research and pursue local, state, and federal grant opportunities relevant to arts organizations.

• Compile and maintain statistics concerning the Center for use in grant proposals, reports, market analyses, etc.

• Maintain and grow relationships with existing donors and members while cultivating new sources of support.

Operations & Staff Management

• Supervise staff and volunteers, including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management.

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the facility, propose actions and goals for enhancing the Center’s service, and supervise the Center’s paid employees.

• Ensure the facility is well-maintained and manage relationships with vendors and contractors as needed.

Community & Marketing

• Develop and implement marketing strategies, including social media, press outreach, and print materials.

• Build and maintain partnerships with local schools, businesses, tourism organizations, and other community groups.

• Represent the Center at community events, regional arts councils, and networking opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in arts administration, business, nonprofit management, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).

• Minimum of [3–5] years of experience in nonprofit management, arts administration, or a related leadership role.

• Demonstrated experience with fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations.

• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and financial reporting.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Genuine interest in and knowledge of the visual arts; experience working with artists is a plus.

• Proficiency with standard office software and familiarity with point-of-sale, membership, or donor-management systems.

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for exhibitions, events, and community functions.

Preferred Qualities

• Experience working with a nonprofit board of directors.

• Strong ties to, or willingness to become embedded in, the Alleghany Highlands community.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify new revenue streams and program opportunities.

• Comfort working independently in a small-organization environment where the Executive Director may also perform hands-on tasks.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references to Donna Beirne, Interim Executive Director at highlandsartsandcraft.org@gmail.com mail to Donna Beirne, Interim Executive Director, Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, Inc. P.O Box 273, Clifton Forge, VA 24422. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

Reports to Executive Director/Board of Directors

Position Type: 30 hours a week (often includes evening and weekends for installation of exhibits)

Description: The Curator provides artistic leadership and strategic direction for the gallery program, aligning exhibition with the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center's mission, values, and community need. The Curator is responsible for the full lifecycle of exhibitions, from conceptualization, artist selection, artist contract, installation, promotion, public programming, and de-installation The goal of the Curator is community impact, education, and supporting artists rather than selling work. Another goal is that the Curator will actively ensure exhibitions include underrepresented artists.

Core Responsibilities

Curatorial and Exhibition Planning (40%)

Develop an annual exhibition calendar featuring diverse and emerging artists.

Conceptualize and execute solo and group exhibitions, including writing curatorial statements, wall labels, Gallery Guides, and articles for newspapers and social media.

Identify artists through studio visits, research, and open calls.

Gallery Operations and Logistics (25%)

Oversee all aspects of exhibition, installation, and deinstallation (handling, hanging, and removal)

Coordinate logistics of artist intake, artist contract and loan agreement for work.

Maintain safety standards for artwork and monitor gallery environment

Supervise volunteers who help with all aspects of exhibition.

Community Engagement and Programming (20%)

Create public programs such as artist talks, workshops, and panel discussions to engage the community.

Build relationships with local and regional artists, collectors, and community partners.

Development and Administration (15%)

Assist in writing grant proposals to fund exhibitions, gallery operations, and Artist Impact for schools.

Manage the curatorial budget.

Cultivate relationships with donors and board members.

Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Fine Arts, or a related field.

Experience

3 to 5 years of curatorial experience in a nonprofit or contemporary setting

Skills

Strong knowledge of contemporary arts and crafts and current artistic practice.

Proven ability to install art and use tools.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Proficiency in product management and budget tracking

Experience with grant writing and fundraising

Physical Requirements

Must be able to work on ladders, lift and carry artwork (up to 401bs) and spend long hours on their feet during installation

Time Management

Must be able to meet deadline with a complete exhibit installation in three to four days.

Please send resume and cover letter to:

Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, Inc
Attention: Donna Beirne
PO Box 273
Clifton Forge, VA 24422

Or Email: highlandsartsandcraft.org@gmail.com