Museum of Children's Art

Executive Director

POSITION AVAILABLE

MOCHA's mission is to ensure that the arts are a fundamental part of the lives of all children. Founded in 1988, MOCHA encourages hands-on learning and promotes the arts as a way to help children of all backgrounds develop as healthy, resourceful and involved citizens. We provide opportunities for children to explore and celebrate their creativity, and we design, implement and advocate for hands-on arts education programs, emphasizing outreach to children and families from low-income communities. Located near the City Center in historic Old Oakland, the Museum of Children's Art is also the only Bay Area museum exclusively exhibiting artwork by and for children.

MOCHA has three program focus areas: School Programs provide classroom artist residencies and after school programs for preschool-12th grade in more than 60 schools throughout the East Bay, as well as professional development for teachers and administrators. Museum Programs offer daily drop-in art programs, Family Extravaganzas, school field trips, and holiday and summer art camps. Community Partner Programs engage youth in hands-on art activities at public libraries, in public housing, and at community festivals and events throughout Oakland and the East Bay such as Dia de los Muertos, Art & Soul, and International Children and Youth Day. The 32,000 children who participate in MOCHA's programs annually range in age from 18 months to 18 years old and come from ethnically and economically diverse backgrounds. Seventy percent are from low-income families. MOCHA's projected operating budget for FY 2008 (July-June) is $1.66 million.

MOCHA has been recognized both locally and nationally for our program excellence, and has established a reputation for quality, enthusiasm and dedication. All of our teaching artists and many of our administrators are also practicing artists, exhibiting their work locally and nationally. We strive to constantly improve and innovate, building ties to other organizations and our community. We look forward to celebrating our 20th birthday in style as we continue to provide a foundation for arts and education in the East Bay.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated visionary to lead us into our next decade. The Executive Director is instrumental in maintaining MOCHA's creative vision. An appreciation and understanding of how the arts contribute to learning, promote a healthy community, and foster early childhood cognitive development is essential. The Executive Director is also the lead fundraiser of the organization and provides the support necessary to ensure sound operations, sustainable fiscal health, and the continuity of MOCHA's programs, outreach and growth.

Beyond substantive nonprofit management skills, the ideal candidate will have experience in the field of arts education and show a demonstrated commitment to the value and impact of visual arts in children's learning experiences. The top candidate will also have been successful in developing working relationships with donors, funders, community groups, government agencies, other nonprofit organizations, and school administrators. Strong writing and speaking skills are required, as is an innovative and entrepreneurial understanding of successful nonprofits. Experience with visual arts, fundraising, and working with a diverse population is imperative.

The Executive Director will report to an 11-member Board of Directors and, along with a management team of 3, supervise 8 additional staff members and 28 full- and part-time artists working onsite and in East Bay school programs.

The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of MOCHA, responsible for the organization's creative vision and voice. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization's consistent high-quality execution of its mission, goals and objectives. The Executive Director will represent MOCHA's programs and initiatives to funders, media, staff, board, and the community and move MOCHA forward in implementing the internal and external objectives related to the organization's mission. In addition, the Executive Director will focus on developing the internal structure and budget to support future growth.

• Maintain hands-on familiarity and involvement with MOCHA's programs and objectives
• Ensure compatibility of program decisions with MOCHA's mission
• Facilitate communication with the Board, MOCHA's members and the community regarding our initiatives
• Ensure that all staff members have all program information necessary to fulfill their jobs
• Stay informed of changes/developments in the field of MOCHA's work

The Executive Director will be the lead fundraiser for MOCHA and in collaboration with the Development Assistant and other staff will:

• Develop a long-range, sustainable, diverse funding plan to ensure the implementation and success of MOCHA's programs and strategic goals
• Maintain and grow existing relationships with foundations and major donors
• Maintain and expand MOCHA's private donor base
• Proactively develop funding proposals, prepare grant applications, and coordinate fundraising activities
• Actively seek new revenue sources -government, corporate, foundation, and private- to meet program goals
• Monitor contract compliance and grant objectives, and maintain reporting to funders
• Continue the growth of cash reserves
• Prepare development reports for the board financial management

• Prepare annual budget and development plan to meet financial needs of program and general operations
• Supervise finance staff and coordinate management of financial and administrative procedures in order to maintain fiscally sound programs and accounting systems to ensure accurate reporting of financial activity
• Regularly track financial activities against budget to ensure MOCHA is achieving its financial goals and maintaining a positive cash flow
• Keep board informed of financial status of the organization staff management and development

• Provide leadership and direction for the organization
• Hire and supervise staff and independent contractors, to ensure operational effectiveness
• Ascertain that the personnel policies of MOCHA are adhered to in all hiring and employment practices. Propose changes in policy to Board of Directors to keep pace with organizational changes
• Provide for staff development activities that upgrade employee skills and motivate performance and promote longevity
• Ensure fair hiring practices and promote an organizational culture that fosters cooperation, communication, teamwork and trust

• Work with Board leadership to maintain and further develop an engaged, effective, energized Board.
• Facilitate operations and provide staffing for Board committees, as appropriate
• Serve ex-officio on all Board committees
• Support and provide Board with adequate information to help members reach sound decisions and establish policies
• Promote regular communication between Board and staff
• Ensure and facilitate the Board's involvement in the formation of MOCHA's policies and programs and supervise the implementation of Board-approved policies
• Assist the Board with ongoing strategic planning that is responsive to the needs of the organization to effectively define and achieve its vision
• Assist in the recruitment, orientation, and training of new Board members
• Assist board leadership in diversifying board membership community and government relations

• Represent MOCHA at public functions
• Participate in community and government conferences and meetings to further MOCHA's goals and increase the awareness, visibility, influence and impact of the organization
• Pro-actively promote MOCHA to key constituents: schools, parents, funders, government agencies and program partners
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with other organizations advocating for the role of the arts in education and healthy communities.
• Respond to press and media queries

• Commitment to MOCHA's program and goals
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising (including understanding of and connections to funding communities), nonprofit fiscal management, budget preparation
• Experience in community partnerships and collaborations
• Experience working with boards of directors and community-based organizations
• Ability to work with a board and staff in articulating and refining strategy
• Minimum 5 years' management experience, with strong understanding of the nonprofit sector (fundraising, nonprofit fiscal management, and budget preparation)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to represent MOCHA in community and experience in publicity campaigns
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Commitment to engaging and working with staff, artists, schools, parents and teachers clients from a variety of communities and backgrounds
• Knowledge of relevant developments in fields affecting MOCHA's work: early childhood development, youth development, arts based learning and school reform a plus

• Send cover letter and resume to: MOCHA.EDSearch@CompassPoint.org by Friday, July 20, 2007.
• Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
• First round interviews for this position will be held on August 1st and 2nd 2007.
• For more information please visit our website www.mocha.org
• No calls or faxes, please!