Executive Director
The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art (The AGB), formerly the Polk Museum of Art, at Florida Southern College (FSC) seeks an Executive Director to provide visionary leadership and strategic direction, advancing the Museum’s mission as a distinguished academic and cultural resource for the College and surrounding community. Following a recent 14,000-square-foot expansion, The AGB offers enhanced exhibition galleries and dedicated spaces for education and public programming, positioning it for a new and exciting era of growth and innovation guided by the Museum’s recently completed strategic plan.
FSC has retained a national executive-recruiting firm, Museum Search & Reference, to help guide its search.
Reporting directly to the College President, the Executive Director will oversee all aspects of the Museum’s operations, including curatorial vision, educational initiatives, community engagement, and collection stewardship, and provide guidance on acquisitions of The AGB’s Acquisitions Committee. This leader will also work collaboratively with campus and community partners to integrate the Museum’s resources into the academic life of the College, while expanding its reach and impact throughout the broader region. The AGB maintains a strong commitment to community engagement, with long-standing area partnerships, including K-12 schools and educators. The Executive Director will be expected to sustain and strengthen these connections, ensuring the Museum remains a vital cultural and educational resource for all academic and community audiences.
This role includes managing a dedicated team of thirteen staff and overseeing an annual budget of approximately $2 million. This position carries significant fundraising responsibilities. Together with The AGB’s Board, the Executive Director will take an active role in external funding, working collaboratively with and supported by FSC’s advancement and marketing offices.
Opportunities
- Direct the dedicated and creative staff, eager to achieve goals as a team. Engage with them and College collaborators in an operational assessment to consider organizational strategies and alignments that build institutional strength.
- Ensure that well-established community relationships remain strong and campus relationships grow, while seeking pathways to advance and grow local engagement.
- Prioritize the growth and diversification of innovative academic opportunities rooted in the Museum collection, programming, and expertise.
- Engage the new School of Architecture and the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitors Center to co-create mutually beneficial initiatives serving students, faculty, and visitors.
Candidate Profile
While we recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for the role, the following outlines the attributes and background that represent the ideal candidate.
Professional Expertise and Museum Experience: Demonstrated success in professional practices and management of art museums through a relevant combination of skills, experiences, and education. Three to five years’ experience in museum leadership (or related field) in an academic museum is an asset. Familiarity with the tenets of professional practice in the field as articulated by the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries, and other related professional organizations.
Education: An advanced degree in art history, museum studies, arts administration, or related field. Equivalent professional experience and training will also be considered. Ph.D. preferred but not required.
Academic and Creative Vision: A deep appreciation for creativity and innovation, combined with an intellectually rigorous approach to developing exhibitions and educational programs. The successful candidate will bring an understanding of how to foster meaningful, interdisciplinary experiences within an academic environment.
Leadership and Organizational Development: Strategic management and inspirational leadership to guide and motivate staff, academic partners, and community collaborators. Ability to cultivate and nurture talent while fostering a collaborative culture of teamwork, professional growth, and excellence among staff, interns, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
Fundraising, Financial Oversight, and Resource Management: Demonstrated success in operational and departmental budgeting, long-term financial planning, and aligning strategic priorities with available resources. Experience developing and managing budgets, optimizing resource allocation, and contributing to institutional sustainability. A proven ability to support or lead fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, grant writing, and collaboration with advancement staff.
Collaborative Partnership Development: Proven ability to establish and sustain complex relationships through clear, proactive communication and collaborative planning with key stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members, and external partners.
Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Engagement: A demonstrated commitment to inclusive representation across collections, exhibitions, public programs, and outreach efforts. A thoughtful and proactive approach to amplifying underrepresented artists, voices, and histories, ensuring the Museum reflects and engages the diverse communities it serves.
Institutional Representation and Public Engagement: Serve as the face of the Museum, representing its mission and programs on campus, with alumni, in the local community, and within regional and national museum networks. A compelling ambassador, fostering relationships that advance the Museum’s reputation, visibility, and influence.
How to Apply
To apply in confidence, submit application by November 7, 2025 to: Dana Friis-Hansen, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference, via https://museum-search.com/all-searches/2025/9/18/theagbartmuseum.
The AGB Museum at Florida Southern College strives to create an environment in which all visitors, volunteers, students, faculty, and employees experience a sense of belonging. All qualified applicants are welcome.
Compensation
- $150,000 to $160,000 salary range
- Competitive college benefit package, including 403b, medical and dental insurance, and reciprocal tuition exchange. Florida has no income tax.
Please include:
- A cover letter expressing interest in the position and giving brief examples of past related experience.
- A résumé or C.V.
- The names and contact information for three professional references able to evaluate the candidate’s leadership and work, indicating their relationship with the candidate.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. 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.
Nominations are welcome.
