Executive Director

New York Folklore is seeking an experienced and community-focused administrator to serve as
Executive Director for the Schenectady-based, state-wide organization.

New York Folklore (AKA New York Folklore Society) supports folk and traditional artists and
organizations, showcases traditional arts and culture of New York State, connects traditional
artists and communities to a network of artists and tradition bearers, produces publications and
programs, and builds community-based skills and expertise for greater appreciation of New
York’s diverse communities and heritages. Our mission is to collaborate with communities to
identify, understand, and advocate for the needs of tradition bearers, artists, and everyday
working people in the state, supporting cultural self-determination, agency, and sustainability.
We strive to bridge lines of difference to create a world of greater dignity, respect, joy, and
mutual understanding. New York Folklore is a membership organization, open to all, concerned
with furthering cultural equity and strengthening the understanding of the role of folk and
traditional arts in our lives.
Formed in 1944, New York Folklore began as a scholarly, public-facing organization dedicated
to folklore and folk culture in New York and has enjoyed a long history of activism in public
folklore. The organization became New York State’s technical assistance provider for folk and
traditional arts in 1990 and has enjoyed a long partnership with the Folk and Traditional Arts
Program of the New York State Council on the Arts in that role. Besides serving as a folk cultural
resource for artists and organizations, New York Folklore publishes the journal,
Voices: The
Journal of New York Folklore; manages and presents the annual New York Folk Arts Roundtable
(a professional development conference); and provides a variety of technical assistance and
professional development opportunities in folk and traditional arts and culture, including artists in
the schools programs, entrepreneurial opportunities for artists, and fiscal sponsorships for artists
and unincorporated cultural organizations. Headquartered in Schenectady, NY, the organization
has a statewide purview and mission, while still maintaining a vibrant schedule of public
programs based out of our gallery in downtown Schenectady and throughout the Capital region.
Responsibilities
The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of New York Folklore. The
Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for advancing its
mission through strategic leadership, financial stewardship, organizational management, and
external engagement. The Executive Director is expected to be a highly visible leader who
inspires confidence among staff, volunteers, donors, members, and community partners while
ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability and continued growth.
The successful candidate will possess strong, collaborative leadership skills, and excellent
organizational, administrative, communication, and managerial skills. Experience with grant
writing and fundraising is essential to identifying and sustaining new projects and initiatives.
The Executive Director position is full-time and exempt. Applicant is expected to reside in the
Capital region if offered the position. Some evening and weekend work should be expected.
Statewide travel as needed.
Duties include:
Program development
● Work with Board of Directors and staff in developing a long-range strategy that achieves
the organization’s mission and reflects its organizational values, including an emphasis
on public folk arts programming rooted in field work and community-based relationship
building
● Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field of
public folklore and community-based arts
● Maintain community partnerships and relationships with artists, cultural organizations,
and community stakeholders
Personnel Management
● Supervise a current staff of 5, and hire for any vacancies or new positions that may arise
● Ensure that job descriptions are developed and revised as necessary, that regular
performance reviews are conducted and that sound human resources are in place
● Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of high-quality
people
● Other duties and responsibilities as may be necessary to ensure the safe and
responsible operation and management of the organization and its staff
Budget and Finance
● Work with staff, Finance Committee and Board in preparing the annual budget; ensure
that the organization operates within budget guidelines
● Take the lead on fundraising efforts on behalf of the organization, including longstanding
and new grants through New York State and local governments, regional and national
foundations, federal agencies, other organizations, and large individual donors
● Advance earned revenue through leading fundraising events, membership growth and
retention, solicitation of gifts, and fee for service opportunities
● Work with contractual book-keeping firm to ensure that adequate funds are available to
permit the organization to carry out its work , including by-weekly payroll; in addition,
prepare financial information for annual accounting review, with annual filings such as
the IRS 990, CHAR-500, and IRS-529
Communications
● Maintain regular communication with the Board of Directors on the condition of the
organization and all important factors influencing it; prepare and convene quarterly
Board meetings, committee meetings, fill vacancies as needed, etc.
● Ensure that activities, programs, mission and goals of the organization are publicized
using traditional and social media, including New York Folklore’s website, social media
pages, and email lists
● Coordinate with the editor and editorial board the preparation and distribution of
Voices:
the Journal of New York Folklore
● Serve as the official spokesperson for New York Folklore with various constituents,
including community leaders, politicians, organizational partners, funders, and the
general public
Advocacy
● Serve as the organization’s primary contact for the New York State Council on the Arts
(NYSCA), New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), National Endowment for the Arts
(NEA), and other government-based arts organizations
● Develop and lead local advocacy efforts with local, State and national elected officials
● Serve as the organization’s representative to State and national arts advocacy
organizations

Experience:
A master’s degree in folklore with a focus on public folklore is preferred. A master’s degree in a
related or adjacent field of study (ethnomusicology, cultural heritage studies, museum studies,
anthropology, etc.) will also be considered. A minimum of five years of experience in a
managerial capacity within a cultural organization is required (e.g., Executive Director or
Program Director). A knowledge of the geography and cultural/social history of New York State
and its diverse regions is a plus. The ideal candidate leads first-and-foremost with compassion.
They focus on building and caring for relationships, coalition building, collaboration, and
“leading from the back.” They are flexible, sensitive, understanding, and have exceptional
listening skills.

How to Apply: Please submit the following as a single PDF:
● Resume/cv
● Cover letter
● Contact information for 3 references
● 2 professional work samples (written, video, presentation, exhibition, etc.)

Send materials to: [email protected] OR
Search Committee
℅ New York Folklore
PO BOX 110
Schenectady NY 12301
Deadline: Monday, January 4, 2027