Executive Director (Exempt)

Full Job Description

In accordance with state law (RCW 43.46.050), the search for a new Executive Director will be led by the ArtsWA Board of Commissioners in collaboration with key staff and stakeholders. Following a comprehensive recruitment process, the board will submit a list of three ranked finalists to Governor Bob Ferguson for consideration and ultimate appointment. It is anticipated that the selected candidate will begin work with ArtsWA between June 15 and July 1, 2026.

Agency Profile The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) is a cabinet-level agency and a vital member of the Governor’s Small Agency Cabinet.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state.

The agency is advised by a 23-member Board of Commissioners, consisting of 19 members appointed by the Governor and four members of the State Legislature.

This position reports to the Governor and/or his designee.

Position Profile

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of ArtsWA, leading a professional staff of 38 and overseeing a comprehensive portfolio that includes the State Art Collection (Art in Public Places), Arts in Education, and statewide granting and professional development programs.

You may learn more about ArtsWA's programs at www.arts.wa.gov.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead the agency’s commitment to ensuring all Washingtonians—regardless of geography or background—can participate in and experience the arts.Serve as the lead strategist for the agency’s state budget requests to secure state appropriations required to sustain and expand ArtsWA’s mission.
• Engage with state legislators and their staff to build non-partisan support for the agency’s mission.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and "outward face" of the agency. The Executive Director must be a versatile communicator capable of articulating the value of the arts and the creative economy to diverse audiences, including constituents, communities, business leaders, and the media.
• Cultivate trust-based relationships with a wide array of partners, including theGovernor’s Office, other State Agencies, Tribal partners, Arts and Cultural leaders and organizations statewide, regional organizations such as Creative West, and national leadership (such as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA).
• Identify and pursue additional funding through federal grant opportunities, public-private partnerships, and philanthropic outreach to bolster the agency's long-term impact.
• Serve as the agency lead for all legal, financial, personnel, and programmatic issues, working with Small Agency Client Services (SACS) for operational support.
• Lead dynamic management teams and programs and promote collaboration and strategic vision across the agency.
• Working with a variety of small agency support teams across state government.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

• Note: Professional leadership experience may be substituted, year-for-year, for education.

AND

Professional Experience:

• At least six (6) years of senior-level management experience within a nonprofit organization, government agency, or arts and culture sector entity.
• Proven experience leading and managing professional teams and overseeing complex organizational budgets.
• Demonstrated advanced public speaking skills and the ability to act as a high-profile advocate in a political and public environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• High-level knowledge of Washington State government systems, the legislative processes, and public sector financial controls.
• Proven success in securing and sustaining state-level appropriations and building legislative buy-in.
• Demonstrated ability to tailor messaging for varied audiences, including corporate partners, community members, and elected officials.
• Experience in securing federal funding (such as NEA grants) or private-sector support to supplement core public funding.
• A deep understanding of the "creative economy" framework and the role of arts in economic development and education.

Statutory Requirements:

Per RCW 43.46.045, the Executive Director shall receive no other salary and ~~shall not be otherwise gainfully employed~~ may not be otherwise gainfully employed during their tenure.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants must submit:

1. Completed Application Form
2. Letter of Interest addressing how your leadership will build upon ArtsWA's recent decade of progress, your specific experience securing legislative buy-in and navigating state-level budget processes, and your ability to act as an outward-facing advocate for diverse stakeholder groups (business, government, and the public).
3. Current Resume.
4. Professional References (at least three).

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information.

Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section or supplemental questions of the application.

Please do not “refer to resume” for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

Opportunity for All:

ArtsWA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, awareness, and belonging for all residents of Washington State.

We celebrate our differences and are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:
Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or email: jobs@des.wa.gov.