Job Description

Position Title: Executive Director

Status: Full Time – Salaried

Location: Los Angeles, CA (In-Person)

Compensation: $100,000 annually ($95K salary & $5K health insurance stipend, eligible for additional bonuses)

Reports to: Board of Directors

Application: Please include both a resume AND cover letter to be considered.

About Art Share L.A.

Established in 1998, Art Share L.A. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that owns and operates a 30,000-square-foot mixed-use arts center in the heart of the Los Angeles Arts District. Originally founded as a youth arts education program, Art Share L.A. has evolved into a vital community hub that provides equitable access and opportunities for underrepresented and emerging artists.

Art Share L.A. creates an environment where artists can live, work, develop, perform, and exhibit—providing stability, visibility, and community for creators across disciplines.

• LIVE // SPACE RENTALS + HOUSING: Art Share offers 30 affordable live/work housing lofts and 6 resident artist studios with 24/7 access, relieving working artists of the fear of displacement while they develop their craft into sustainable, marketable careers.
• WORK + DEVELOP // CREATIVE ECONOMY: The organization connects artists to paid opportunities—from selling visual artwork and curating offsite exhibitions to participating in public art commissions and creative partnerships—helping to build a thriving creative economy.
• EXHIBIT + PERFORM // ART SHARING: Art Share’s 30,000-square-foot building provides a dynamic platform for artists to share their work, perform, teach workshops, and host community events. The space includes two galleries, a black box theater, and three multi-purpose classrooms that foster creative collaboration and cultural engagement.

Position Overview

The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive of Art Share L.A., responsible for implementing the strategic vision and operational management of the organization. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the ED leads all programs, fundraising, partnerships, staff, and community relations while serving as the primary public representative and advocate for Art Share L.A.

Art Share L.A. operates with a small but highly dedicated team (4–6 staff members).This role requires a leader who is both visionary and hands-on—a person passionate about artists and the creative process, capable of building sustainable systems, nurturing relationships, and advancing Art Share’s mission of inclusion and equality.

This is a full-time, in-person role with occasional evening and weekend commitments for events and community meetings. The role is also eligible for a performance-based bonus tied to fundraising and revenue-generating efforts, with details to be finalized.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Execute Art Share L.A.’s mission and strategic goals in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Support and mentor a staff of 4–6, defining roles and responsibilities based on organizational needs and capacity.
• Champion a culture of inclusion, transparency, and collaboration across programs and staff.

Development & Fundraising

• Lead all fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, corporate sponsorships, major gifts, and grant management.
• Oversee grant strategy and calendar; write or supervise proposals and reports.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Board on annual fundraising events and benefit campaigns.

Programming & Community Engagement

• Oversee and guide all visual and performing arts programming in collaboration with department leads and the Board.
• Maintain open dialogue with the artist community to ensure programming reflects diverse needs and creative trends.
• Strengthen partnerships with local organizations, schools, and civic leaders to amplify Art Share’s impact.

Financial & Operational Oversight

• Work with the Finance Committee to develop and manage the annual budget.
• Monitor monthly financial reports, ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency.
• Collaborate closely with the external accounting function to ensure compliance with all nonprofit and grant reporting requirements.

Property & Facility Management

• Communicate with the property management company responsible for the 30 live/work lofts and artist studios, as they ensure building operations meet safety, accessibility, and equity standards.
• Work strategically with management to sustain and improve the facility as a creative hub.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience in nonprofit management, arts administration, or a related field.
• Previous leadership experience, including fundraising, budgeting, and team management.
• Proven success in securing and managing grants, sponsorships, and individual giving.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and community inclusion.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience managing creative teams and fostering collaborative, empowering environments.
• Strategic thinker able to balance daily operations with long-term vision.
• Proficiency in digital tools (Google Workspace, CRM systems, and social media platforms).

Desired:

• Passionate about building community, investing time into the local arts ecosystem.
• Confidence in building communities, fundraising, and building the organization’s network.
• Prior experience with an arts or social-justice-oriented organization.
• Self-directed, adaptable, and detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Art Share L.A. works to dismantle systemic barriers that prevent artists—particularly those from marginalized communities—from finding success in the creative economy. We celebrate and amplify the work of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, disabled, LGBTQ+, low-income, and other underrepresented artists.

Art Share L.A. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

Please apply directly through LinkedIn or send a resume and cover letter to artsharela@brownfoxstudio.co with the subject line: Executive Director Application – [Your Name ].

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