CANDIDATE PROFILE POSITION TITLE E XE I VNE D I R E C T O R LO CC AU TT IO LOS ANGELES, CA LOCATION LOS ANGELES, CA
CREATED FOR RYMAN ARTS
ABOUT Ryman Arts Ryman Arts transforms lives by creating access and opportunity for a diverse community of young artists through rigorous education in fundamental art skills and mentoring. Ryman Arts is one of the nation’s top youth art programs, offering professional studio art instruction along with he college and career guidance to artistic high school youth who are serious about a future in art—all at no cost to the student. Almost all graduates go on to college, many alumni work in creative industries, and all are poised for personal success. Since 1990, Ryman Arts has impacted over 38,000 students through its core program, outreach efforts, and community activities. Ryman Arts has grown to serve approximately 550 students annually comprised of a vibrant community of culturally diverse teens from more than 190 zip codes across five counties in Southern California. To ensure that all students have access, Ryman Arts draws on its strong relationships with educators, community leaders, and high schools in low-income communities to connect with potential participants. Most participants live in low-income neighborhoods where schools provide little access to art and dropout rates are high. Innovation In addition to its renowned direct service to youth, Ryman Arts is the steward of its namesake’s legacy, artist Herbert D. Ryman and maintain a substantial collection of his work with the goal of making the collection accessible to scholars, students, and the public. The organization has an approximately $1.5M annual budget, all generated through fundraising, and has an endowment of approximately $3M.
what we do Ryman Arts offers its students coaching, community, and a safe place to grow and discover themselves while developing artistic and life skills.
Studio Art Instruction Foundation Drawing Intermediate Drawing & Painting Advanced Painting
College & Career Guidance College Preparation Weekend Creative Career Preparation Workshops & Panel Discussions
at a glance... Classes are taught by professional artists. Classes are 3½ hours long, meet on weekends, and require 6-8 hours of weekly homework. Classes have been held on the campuses of Otis College of Art & Design and California State University, Fullerton. (Students choose which site to attend; the same classes are offered at each site.) As of fall 2020, classes will be held virtually to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Acceptance to Ryman Arts is highly competitive and based solely on merit. With small class sizes, we are able to provide personal attention and work with each student’s unique circumstance so as to provide the same high quality service to every student.
Organizational mission Ryman Arts transforms lives by creating access and opportunity for a diverse community of young artists through rigorous education in fundamental art skills and mentoring
Position Overview Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide leadership and strategy for the organization's programming and services to the community. With a $1.5 million annual budget, a staff of 8 full-time employees, and 11 part-time faculty members, Ryman Arts seeks a visionary leader with a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts. The Executive Director's primary responsibilities include leading the organization’s strategy to achieve its mission, cultivating partnerships, driving program growth to reach more underserved youth, securing the necessary funding for Ryman Arts' continued success, and implementing a dynamic vision for the future. The ideal candidate will ensure the fiscal health and structural soundness of the organization, while focusing on diversification of funding, including corporate relationships, fundraising events, and increasing major donors. The next Executive Director will have expertise in partnership building, a passion for art, and a commitment to youth development. The next Executive Director will also have the ability to expand secure funding that will be essential to ensure that Ryman Arts can continue to transform the lives of young artists and provide them with the tools they need to flourish in the world of art and creativity.
First Year GOALS & OBJECTIVES Understand the organization and the needs of the community Build on proven success Expand programming Increase financial support Diversify funding sources Increase community engagement Grow & diversify the Board Implement DEI strategies Increase alumni involvement Strengthen organizational culture Identify a clear vision for meeting evolving needs of art students. Improve on event outcomes
roles & responsibilities Organizational Leadership & Strategy Manage all day-to-day operations of Ryman Arts, including planning, goal setting, fundraising, operations, programming, partnerships, advocacy, communications, and growth. In partnership with Board of Directors, lead and implement a strategic plan that aligns Ryman Art’s with a long-term vision focused on growth, serving more students from diverse backgrounds, and addressing barriers to access from underserved communities. Cultivate a work environment that recruits, retains and supports quality staff and faculty, focusing on morale and organizational culture. In conjunction with the senior leadership team, assess community needs and analyze key program metrics to achieve program excellence. Keep the Board fully informed on programming and fiscal sustainability, while identifying challenges, issues, and opportunities. Cultivate Board member development and access additional networks for recruitment. Financial Management & Fund Development Work with the Board to establish a financial strategy that ensures sustainability, healthy cash flow and adequate reserves. Create, monitor, evaluate and report on the annual budget and audit. Utilize storytelling to engage new partners, donors, and community members in support of Ryman Arts. Explore and implement a diversified funding strategy that includes grants, corporate partnerships, major donors, and innovative funding sources. Community Engagement and Advocacy Serve as chief spokesperson for Ryman Arts in the community, including media interactions and public events. Enhance collaborations with educational institutions, art organizations, and creative partners to increase referrals and innovative alliances that benefit Ryman Arts and its students. Initiate, develop and maintain cooperative relationships with a broad range of key constituencies, including alumni, staff, faculty, current students, volunteers, donors and partners. Develop and execute innovative event strategies that not only serve as fundraising opportunities, but also foster a sense of community and engagement among stakeholders, donors, and supporters. Maintain Ryman Arts as a thought partner and leader in the field of arts education.
IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal incoming Executive Director will be a charismatic and visionary leader, uniquely positioned to build and foster strong, meaningful relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. These stakeholders encompass students, staff, parents, alumni, donors, partners, and other community members. Their ability to inspire and engage these individuals is critical in rallying support for the organization's mission, aiding in the growth of the program, and expanding its impact to benefit more aspiring artists. They should demonstrate a profound passion for arts education and an unwavering commitment to advancing the successful legacy of Ryman Arts. This individual should exude a genuine enthusiasm for nurturing emerging artists and firmly believe in the transformative power of art education. This candidate should also exhibit a strong desire to learn comprehensively about Ryman Arts from the ground up. They should be eager to immerse themselves in the organization's history, programs, and dedicated staff, with the ultimate goal of gaining a profound understanding of how the organization operates. Armed with this knowledge, the ideal candidate can make informed suggestions and guide growth strategies effectively. A steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is fundamental. The incoming Executive Director should not only grasp the importance of DEI principles but should actively work to integrate them into all aspects of Ryman Arts' operations. Their dedication should be directed towards making the program accessible and welcoming to artists from all backgrounds, ensuring that diversity is not only acknowledged but celebrated and actively supported. In conjunction with their leadership skills, the ideal incoming Executive Director should possess a natural gift for fundraising and connecting people. They should be proficient in leveraging their networks and forging new connections within the arts and corporations. These connections should extend to industry partnerships and alliances, contributing to the acquisition of the necessary resources for Ryman Arts' growth and long-term sustainability. Their ability to inspire others to invest in the program is a pivotal component of their role. Furthermore, their talent for growing and nurturing relationships will be indispensable in building support and fostering collaborations within the broader community.
Career Track Leading to Executive DIrector The likely career track for the Executive Director of Ryman Arts involves a blend of leadership, management, and business development experience. They may have gained expertise in various fields, but have had extensive experience managing staff, developing positive team culture in a hybrid work environment, refining systems for collaboration, and leading initiatives for growth and impact.
Executive Director / Managing Director Director of Programs CEO/Chief Executive Officer Director of Business Development Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
qualifications Prior experience as an Executive Director, or member of the senior leadership team of a nonprofit arts or cultural organization or educational institution with an annual operating budget of $1 Million or more. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent executive leadership experience required. A minimum of 8 years’ experience in progressively responsible roles within senior management positions. Demonstrated experience in the arts, whether professional or personal. Demonstrated fundraising success with major donors, private foundations and institutional partnerships. Demonstrated experience with community engagement, especially in regard to creating and implementing strategic outreach, marketing, and social media. Demonstrated belief in and a commitment to continued professional growth and development of employees and the Board of Directors. Experience leading programs based upon core values that are consistent with justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Ability to lead groups and collaborate with diverse groups of people with a wide range of faiths, beliefs, ages, cultures, and experiences. An entrepreneurial mindset with a proven track record leading a strategic planning process, resulting in improved efficiency, program expansion, effectiveness, and sustainability. A deep belief and passion for the transformative power of the arts.
compensation & benefits The salary range is $130,000 - $160,000. Benefits for full-time employees include employer-paid health insurance, paid vacation and personal days, paid sick leave, 11 paid holidays, eligibility for Flexible Spending Accounts, and employer-matching contributions to a 403b retirement plan. Ryman Arts supports a hybrid work
ABOUT The lA Region Los Angeles County is a vast and varied geographic entity. It includes a group of inland valleys, a coastal plain separated by low mountains that are interspersed with steep passes, an arc of still higher mountains, and a long seacoast. Nearly half of the county is taken up by mountain chains—most of them running east-west—that have a dynamic history of earthquakes, firestorms, and mudslides. To the north and northeast are the massive and sprawling San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains. Stretching in front of them—and more or less in parallel lines from west to east—are the Santa Monica Mountains, Puente Hills, Repetto Hills, and San Jose Hills. These chains delineate the San Fernando, San Gabriel, and San Bernardino valleys. Farther south—running roughly between Orange and Riverside counties are the Santa Ana Mountains Los Angeles, the heart of southern California, became a world-class city very recently. At the start of the 20th century, it was considered merely “a large village.” This ascendancy is all the more remarkable considering that the city originally lacked some of the essential building blocks associated with cityhood, such as a natural harbor. Yet it overcame natural deficiencies and established itself as an important center of commerce, agriculture, tourism, and industry. For more than a century it has been indelibly associated with a benign climate, extensive leisure, and outdoor recreation, as well as the special aura of celebrity associated with Hollywood. The lifestyle of Los Angeles residents (who are called Angelenos) relies on the automobile, idealizes the single-family dwelling, and favors informality. With notable exceptions, the skyline is primarily horizontal rather than vertical. Los Angeles is a place of extraordinary ethnic and racial diversity, owing largely to immigration.
employees
TOTAL REVENUE (2021) $1,597,759 TOTAL EXPENSES (2021) $1,055,189
CONTRIBUTIONS
69%
GOV GRANTS
14%
INVESTMENTS
14%
SPECIAL EVENTS
2%
SALES/OTHER
1%
expenses
revenue
overview
Budget & financials Overview
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT (CANDID)
Fundraising: 14.9%
Administration 15.5%
Program Services 69.6%
the PROCESS & Timeline
Envision Consulting has been retained by Ryman Arts to conduct the search for their incoming Executive Director. We follow a comprehensive and structured approach that begins with a needs assessment to understand the organization's position and culture. Candidate sourcing is conducted using various strategies, such as leveraging networks, industry-specific databases, and targeted research. Our in-depth evaluations are thoughtfully designed to assess qualifications, experience, cultural fit, and leadership potential. After two stages of interviews with Envision, we work with the organization's search committee to select the individuals they wish to meet and then curate that interview experience as well as the follow-up. We also support the final selection process, including negotiation and offer formulation and offer onboarding support to ensure a smooth transition for the selected candidate. Regular communication with the client is maintained throughout the process, providing updates, feedback, and guidance to ensure a successful executive search outcome. We also offer clients a 1-year guarantee and executive coaching throughout the first year of employment. Survey Focus Groups 1-1 interviews
Candidate Profile
SEARCH TEAM
to apply
Job description & Comms Plan
Recruiting & Screening Interviews
Sourcing & Marketing
Final Panel Interview
Face to Face Interviews
Onboarding & Coaching
Negotiation Support
Ryman Arts is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect to employment opportunities.
Envision Consulting is a minority-owned firm specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions. With offices in Denver, New York and Los Angeles, our partners and consultants are former executive leaders within nonprofit organizations who are truly inspired by our collective power to lift up the communities we serve. Our broad spectrum of services helps increase revenues, expand awareness and strengthen service delivery to the clients who need us the most. Learn more at www.envisionnonprofit.com.
ALLISON FULLER MANAGING PARTNER
MATT KAMIN MANAGING PARTNER
MELISSA MONTOYA DIRECTOR OF SEARCH SERVICES
AMANDA MITCHELL LEAD RECRUITER