The Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum presents exhibitions and educational programs in all fiber arts that enrich and inspire, honor cultural traditions, and celebrate the creative spirit.

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Salary & Benefits: $52,744 – 67,725 DOE. Paid Personal Time Off and Vacation

The Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum (PNWQFAM) presents exhibitions and educational programs in all fiber arts that enrich and inspire, honor cultural traditions, and celebrate the creative spirit.

We envision the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum as a world-class exhibition facility with comprehensive and stimulating educational programs in all fiber arts. Recognized as a premier source for research, we aim to be the foundational core of a passionate, vibrant, and evolving fiber arts community. We are here to inspire, teach, and preserve fiber art traditions and culture for future generations.

The PNQFAM presents a rotating schedule of diverse art exhibits in a three-story, Victorian mansion, located in the historic, waterfront town of La Conner in Skagit County, Washington. Exhibits range in content from historic and culturally significant quilts and textiles to contemporary fiber arts, wearable art, and mixed media installations. Educational offerings include special tours, gallery talks, guest lectures, demos, and workshops.

The PNQFAM permanent collection contains over 300 quilts dating from c. 1820 to 1940, as well as modern art quilts and weavings, 19th-century North American coverlets, and diverse examples of global embroidery.

Founded through a grassroots effort led by the townspeople of La Conner, the museum first opened in 1997 as the La Conner Quilt Museum. The name and mission expanded to include textiles and fiber arts after 2005. The museum maintains a loyal group of volunteers who staff the reception and museum shop five days a week to welcome approximately 12,000 visitors a year.

The Executive Director plays a pivotal role in the success and sustainability of the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum (PNWQFAM). This multifaceted leadership position requires an individual with vision, a strong nonprofit administrative background, excellent communication skills, and the ability to maintain executive focus while multi-tasking.

The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, representing the museum at public, professional, and community events, and securing the financial resources necessary for the museum's growth.

This position partners with and reports to the Board of Directors.

Provide overall leadership and direction for museum operations including oversight or execution of day-to-day administrative tasks.

Manage and supervise staff, ensure supervision and management of volunteers and interns.

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and reporting requirements.

Collaborate with the board of directors to develop and implement policies, resulting in creating effective procedures.

Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including grant writing, donor cultivation, and special events.

Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners.

Identify and pursue new funding opportunities to support the museum's mission and projects.

Plan and execute fundraising events to generate revenue and increase the museum's visibility.

Develop and manage the annual budget in collaboration with the Board of Directors.

Ensure financial sustainability through prudent fiscal management and cost-effective operations.

Monitor financial performance and provide regular reports to the Board.

Ensure that required state taxes, including payroll and sales tax, are paid by due dates. 

Ensure that all required federal taxes are paid by due dates.

Ensure that annual WA Charitable Solicitation and IRS Form 990 are completed and submitted by due dates.

Create exhibition schedule, working from Permanent Collection, engaging regional artists, employing guest curators, and cultivating private collectors.

Supervise and motivate Curator of Education to develop and implement engaging educational programs that align with the museum's mission and attract diverse audiences.

Collaborate with educational institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders to enhance program offerings.

With Curator of Education, evaluate the effectiveness of programs and make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.

Build and maintain positive relationships with the local community, cultural organizations, and relevant stakeholders.

Develop and implement strategies to increase the museum's visibility and relevance in the regional, national, and international fiber arts communities.

Evaluate and implement technology tools and web-based applications to develop new or improved forms of communication and increase efficiency, especially in membership processing, web design, and social media.

Bachelor's degree in arts administration, nonprofit management, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).

Proven experience in nonprofit leadership, preferably in a museum or cultural institution.

Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations.

Strong organizational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Financial acumen, with the ability to generate and understand nonprofit financial reports.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships.

Creativity and vision for developing engaging and impactful museum programs.

Familiarity with museum best practices and a commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

Passion for the arts and commitment to the museum's mission.

Must be able to go up and down stairs on a regular basis. Office is on the 2nd floor and there is no elevator.

Must be able to comfortably lift up to 25 pounds.

As needed, occasionally, for special events, industry meetings, and donor requests.

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references via this online application or to hr@qfamuseum.org. The application process will remain open until successful hire.

The Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Careers at Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum

Executive Museum Director