The Mystic Museum of Art (MMoA), a cultural institution located in the heart of downtown Mystic, Connecticut, seeks a dynamic and community-minded Executive Director to guide the organization through its next chapter. As the chief executive of MMoA, the Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership to fulfill the Museum’s mission to engage the public in the understanding, appreciation, and practice of visual arts.
The Executive Director will be a visionary and collaborative leader who can build on MMoA’s artistic heritage and recent growth to strengthen its role as a vibrant regional museum and creative hub. This is an opportunity for a skilled administrator and compelling communicator to lead a dedicated staff, build a culture of philanthropy, engage with artists and donors, and elevate MMoA’s visibility and impact within the local community and beyond.
Mystic Museum of Art
Founded in 1913 as the Mystic Art Association, MMoA has since evolved into a dynamic regional arts institution. Located on a scenic riverfront site in historic downtown Mystic, the Museum serves a broad audience through exhibitions, studio classes, and community programs.
MMoA presents a robust program of juried and thematic exhibitions. Recent notable exhibitions have included a showcase of Norman Rockwell magazine covers in partnership with the Rockwell Museum and “Printmaking and the Unconventional Pathways of African American Artist” guest curated by Dr. Curlee Raven Holten highlighting the resourcefulness of historically underrepresented artists. The Museum continues to broaden its curatorial scope while maintaining a permanent collection of over 300 works, largely focused on artists from the early 20th-century Mystic art colony.
In addition to exhibitions, MMoA maintains an active art school and outreach program. Studio classes serve more than 500 students each year, offering instruction in a wide range of media for children, teens, and adults. The Museum also provides in-school and community-based programs that bring art education to hundreds more, including local schools, hospitals, and senior centers. These educational initiatives are central to MMoA's mission and provide meaningful access to the visual arts throughout southeastern Connecticut.
The Museum is governed by a Board of twelve to eighteen Directors and operated by a professional staff of nine, including full- and part-time employees. It has an annual budget of approximately $1.2 million and an endowment of approximately $2.7 million. A recent strategic plan outlines ambitious goals to strengthen MMoA’s artistic vision, deepen community engagement, increase earned and contributed revenue, and guide future facilities planning and capital improvements.
The next Executive Director will join MMoA at an exciting time with opportunities to lead growth and build on success. Among the Museum's current aspirations are:
The Executive Director will have a background that includes proven effectiveness as an executive or senior-level professional in nonprofit organizations such as museums, art galleries, academic institutions, or other similar mission-driven organizations. The successful candidate will demonstrate passion for American art and accomplishments as a strategic thinker, team and consensus builder, fundraiser, communicator, networker, and leader adept at translating organizational vision into action. They will be expected to:
The ideal candidate will bring many of the following:
We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this position.
The salary range is $120,000 - $160,000 commensurate with experience, plus benefits.
To apply in confidence, submit application by August 11, 2025, to: Dan Yaeger, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference, via [email protected].
Please include:
Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. Nominations are welcome. All applications and nominations are kept confidential; we will not contact references without your permission. EA/EO. For more details, visit: www.museum-search.com/open-searches.