About Delaware Art Museum
For over 100 years, the Delaware Art Museum has served as a primary arts and cultural institution in Delaware. It is alive with experiences, discoveries, and activities to connect people with art and with each other.
Created in 1912 to honor the renowned illustrator and Wilmington native, Howard Pyle, the Museum’s collection has grown to over 13,000 works of art in our building and sculpture garden. Also recognized for British Pre-Raphaelite art, the Museum is home to the most comprehensive Pre-Raphaelite collection on display outside the United Kingdom, and a growing collection of significant contemporary art.
Drawing on its national leadership among mid-sized regional art museums and leadership position in the statewide arts community, the Delaware Art Museum will dramatically expand its impact to serve more people through a dual lens of art and experience over the next 3 - 5 years.
As the Museum works to continually strengthen its organizational capacity and sustainability for the long term, its strategic activity will be built around a commitment to learning, engagement, and its visitors’ experience with art.
Position Summary
The Director of Advancement and External Affairs provides vision and strategic leadership for Museum advancement, communications, and brand management with the goal of achieving DelArt’s mission. Working closely with the Executive Director, Board, and staff, the Advancement team executes strategies to increase support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government entities, and plays a key role in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major donors for annual and planned gifts. The communications and marketing team works to expand, diversify, and deepen audience engagement and to convert audiences to members and donors.
Working closely with the museum’s trustees and a critical member of the Leadership team, the Director will report to the Executive Director and be a strategic advisor on key institutional decisions across the museum.
Special Skills and Qualifications
- 6 years or more of relevant experience.
- Bachelor's degree in business, advancement, marketing, or other relevant education preferred.
- Proven track record of success in reaching and exceeding fundraising goals.
- Demonstrated excellence in project management, organization, delegation, and prioritization skills.
- Experience hiring, mentoring, and retaining staff.
- Excellent written and verbal skills.
- Personal authenticity and the ability to develop relationships of trust and respect with staff, colleagues, and donors.
- An interest in the visual and creative arts.
- Embraces Delaware Art Museum’s mission and programs.
- A collegial attitude and sense of humor.
