Atlantic Center for the Arts Executive Director

Organization 

Atlantic Center for the Arts is a nonprofit multidisciplinary artist residency facility and vibrant cultural hub dedicated to enriching lives through the transformative power of the arts. Located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, ACA serves artists and the broader community through an innovative blend of artist residencies, educational programming, and public engagement. Rooted in the vision of founder Doris Leeper, ACA fosters creativity at the intersection of artistic practice and the natural environment, emphasizing exploration, collaboration, and personal growth. ACA’s programs span a wide range of disciplines, including visual arts, music, dance, and creative writing, creating a dynamic platform for artistic exchange and experimentation.

Founded in 1977, ACA has developed a national and international reputation for its interdisciplinary residency program, which brings together emerging and established artists to work closely with distinguished Master Artists in an intensive, mentorship-based setting. These residencies encourage collaboration across disciplines and provide artists with the time, space, and resources to pursue new work in a supportive, immersive environment. Complementing its residency programs, ACA offers exhibitions, performances, workshops, and community initiatives that extend its impact beyond resident artists to local audiences and participants of all ages and backgrounds. ACA also offers specialized residencies, such as its Soundscape program in partnership with Canaveral National Seashore, which invites artists to explore the intersection of sound, environment, and place.

ACA’s campus is thoughtfully designed to support both artistic creation and community engagement. The main facility includes administrative offices totaling approximately 1,734 square feet, alongside a public gallery of over 9,000 square feet that hosts rotating exhibitions. Additional core spaces include a library, commons with dining and kitchen facilities, and a range of specialized studios dedicated to painting, sculpture, music, dance, and writing. The campus also features a 3,388-square-foot black box theater for performances and presentations, as well as a fieldhouse that serves as a communal gathering and meeting space. Residential components are integral to the ACA experience, with associate housing units, artist cottages, and a caretaker’s house supporting on-site living for artists and staff.

Set within a unique natural environment, ACA’s physical setting plays a central role in its mission. ACA emphasizes the connection between artistic expression and the surrounding landscape, encouraging artists to draw inspiration from and engage with nature as part of their creative process. This integration of environment and art reflects ACA’s core values: nurturing the creative spirit, recognizing the powerful relationship between the arts and nature, and supporting artists as catalysts for innovation and cultural vitality. ACA’s work is further strengthened by its National Council, a distinguished group of artists, cultural leaders, and advocates who support the organization’s vision and help expand its national presence within the arts community.

Through its commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, artistic excellence, and community engagement, Atlantic Center for the Arts continues to serve as a vital cultural resource. Its programs not only advance individual artistic practice but also foster broader connections between artists and the public, reinforcing the role of the arts as a meaningful and accessible force in everyday life. Together with the leadership and advocacy of the National Council, ACA continues to champion creativity, cultural exchange, and the transformative role of the arts in society.

ACA has a 23-member board of trustees led by Chair Nancy Tallent. The Executive Director oversees a staff of 10, including the Arts on Douglas Gallery Director and the Residency and Community Programs Manager. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, ACA's financial statements reported total revenue of $2.5 million, with 52% from earned revenue sources and 48% from contributions. The budgeted revenue for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, is $2.1 million, including 55% from contributions and 45% from earned revenue sources.

Sources: edited from atlanticcenterforthearts.org; propublica.org         

Community

Situated along Florida’s central Atlantic coast in Volusia County, New Smyrna Beach is a vibrant coastal community known for its rich history, natural beauty, and strong sense of local identity. With a population of approximately 30,000 residents, the city combines the charm of a small town with the amenities of a well-developed cultural and recreational destination. Located just south of Daytona Beach and within close proximity to the greater Orlando metropolitan area, New Smyrna Beach benefits from regional connectivity while maintaining a distinct, community-oriented character. The city is recognized for its commitment to thoughtful planning, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of its historic and coastal assets.

New Smyrna Beach offers an exceptional quality of life shaped by its unique coastal environment and accessible amenities. The city is home to miles of pristine beaches, the Indian River Lagoon, and an extensive network of parks, trails, and waterways that support boating, fishing, and outdoor recreation year-round. Its walkable downtown districts, including the historic Canal Street and the vibrant Flagler Avenue corridor, feature locally owned shops, restaurants, galleries, and gathering spaces that contribute to a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. The area’s subtropical climate further enhances its appeal as both a residential community and a destination for visitors seeking natural beauty and coastal leisure.

Arts and culture play a central role in the identity of New Smyrna Beach, which has earned national recognition as a leading arts community. The city supports a diverse range of cultural organizations, galleries, festivals, and educational programs that reflect both its historic roots and contemporary creative energy. Public art, community events, and partnerships among local government, nonprofit organizations, and artists contribute to a dynamic cultural ecosystem that prioritizes access, engagement, and creative expression. With its blend of scenic landscapes, historic character, and a strong commitment to the arts, New Smyrna Beach provides a compelling and inspiring environment for cultural activity and community life.

Sources: cityofnsb.com; census.gov 

Position Summary

The Executive Director will serve as the primary strategic and operational leader of Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA), guiding the organization’s administrative, financial, and programmatic functions in close partnership with the Board of Trustees. The Executive Director will provide visionary and integrated leadership across all aspects of the organization, overseeing a $2.5 million annual budget while advancing ACA’s mission through thoughtful planning, strong fiscal stewardship, and organizational transparency.

The Executive Director will champion ACA’s interdisciplinary residency program and diverse, nationally recognized offerings, including arts education initiatives, multigenerational community programming, and public events that deepen engagement with the arts. They will also oversee key programmatic and earned revenue activities, including the management of Arts on Douglas Fine Arts & Collectibles Gallery, which represents professional Florida artists, and the presentation of Images: A Festival of the Arts, a highly regarded juried festival consistently ranked among the top in the nation. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and impact, the Executive Director will lead strategic fundraising efforts and cultivate a collaborative, reflective organizational culture that supports continued growth and community connection.

Roles and Responsibilities

Visibility and Advocacy

• Collaborate with key stakeholders, building on the strategic vision for ACA that guides short- and long-term reporting and decision-making.
• Represent ACA to the community, donors, grantors, volunteers, and the general public on a local, regional, national, and global level.
• Advocate for arts funding and artist communities.
• Support artists’ vital need to work and collaborate in a safe space that allows them to fully express themselves artistically.
• Embrace other visibility and advocacy responsibilities as needed.

Operational Leadership

• Work with trustees and staff to achieve financial self-sufficiency.
• Strengthen and broaden connections at the local, national, and international levels to support ACA’s strategy for endowment building and program support.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of an accurate, balanced operating budget and timely and accurate monthly and annual financial reporting.
• Resolve human resource issues with a sense of urgency and respect.
• Follow procurement policies to ensure contracts are reviewed and well-managed.
• Assess and strengthen staffing capacity, operational support, and cross-department workflows to ensure sustainable operations, reduce organizational strain, and maintain continuity during staff absences or transitions.
• Encourage the development of a collaborative and cohesive team environment among staff members.
• Embrace other operational leadership responsibilities as needed.

Fiscal Leadership

• Oversee $2.5 million annual budget, $4.5 million endowment, and $12.5 million assets under management.
• Lead creation and execution of dynamic fundraising plans in partnership with key stakeholders, including a strong focus on endowment raising.
• Optimize DonorPerfect technology and other resources to attract, retain, and cultivate relationships with members, grantors, corporate, and foundation giving.
• Embrace other fiscal leadership responsibilities as needed.

Program Management

• Promote and enhance ACA’s reputation as one of the preeminent residency programs.
• Advocate for the core mission residency programming with the Curatorial and Residency Director locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Attract talented artists from around the world to lead residency programs, ensuring diversity in artists and under-represented genres.
• Embrace other program management responsibilities as needed.

Community Engagement

• Oversee engagement with the ACA Volunteer League, community leaders, and constituents.
• Represent ACA on a national and international scale through the Artist Communities Alliance, Res Artis, and other pertinent conferences and fairs to establish trust and enhance ACA's reputation.
• Embrace other community engagement responsibilities as needed.

Facility Oversight

• Monitor major repair or capital projects and ensure the maintenance staff’s work program is aligned with preservation and environmental strategies.
• During emergency events, take appropriate measures to protect property, staff, artists, and visitors.
• Assure that ACA facility leasing partnerships with national and regional organizations are mission-aligned.
• Embrace other facility oversight responsibilities as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

The Executive Director of ACA will be a people-oriented and highly interactive leader who builds strong relationships and communicates effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Versatile and adaptable, they will respond with agility to changing circumstances while maintaining a clear focus on mission and impact. Deeply customer- and constituent-centered, they will prioritize understanding and fulfilling the needs of artists, partners, and audiences to ensure programs remain relevant and responsive. Resourceful and results-driven, they will maximize the effective use of time, talent, and resources to achieve meaningful outcomes and organizational sustainability. Guided by a balanced and harmonious approach, they will value diverse perspectives and cultivate an inclusive, respectful environment, while drawing on experience and intuition to make sound decisions. The Executive Director will be an effective communicator, delegating responsibilities clearly and carefully while holding staff accountable for timely results. Grounded in an altruistic orientation, they will lead with empathy and a commitment to service, advancing ACA’s work for the benefit of the communities it serves.

Other key competencies include:

• Customer Focus – The capability to anticipate, meet, and/or exceed the needs of ACA’s supporters, as well as their wants and expectations.
• Time, Priority Management, Planning, and Organizing – The organizational acumen to prioritize and complete tasks to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames, while ensuring completion of the work.
• Self-Starting & Goal Orientation – The ability to demonstrate initiative and to set, pursue, and attain goals, regardless of obstacles or circumstances.
• Leadership & Decision Making – The capacity to organize and influence people to believe in a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction, while analyzing all aspects of a situation.

Qualifications

An undergraduate degree, preferably in nonprofit management, arts administration, or a related field, is desired, along with a minimum of five years of leadership experience within the residency or nonprofit arts sector. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a successful track record of executive leadership, including advancing strategies for visionary growth, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and financial management, as well as experience aligning and engaging Trustees, staff, volunteers, community members, and artists around a shared vision. At least three years of experience managing a physical campus is required, along with strong interpersonal, organizational, and team leadership skills, including the ability to coach and develop staff. A collaborative leadership style, strategic mindset, and the ability to balance artistic mission with operational sustainability are essential, as is flexibility to work varied hours and a commitment to organizational values, policies, and procedures.

Compensation and Benefits

ACA provides a competitive and equitable compensation package with an estimated base salary in the range of $100,000 to $120,000. Benefits include paid vacation and sick days; paid holidays, paid Winter Break; 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with matching contributions by ACA; and discounted healthcare premiums. Healthcare benefits include free membership at participating gyms. Chef-prepared meals are provided while artists are in residence. Relocation assistance is available.  

Applications and Inquiries

To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred),please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/atlantic-center-for-the-arts-seeks-executive-director/.

Atlantic Center for the Arts is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, sex (including childbirth, breast feeding, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, citizenship status, uniform service member status, pregnancy, age (40 and over), genetic information, disability (mental and physical), or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.