President & CEO

President & CEO

 

About the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

 

MISSION: As the first art museum and school in the United States, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts tells the stories of American art through its collections, exhibitions, and programs. The Academy educates artists from around the world to be innovative and critical thinkers with a deep understanding of art fundamentals and traditions. Through its world-class museum and school, PAFA nurtures and recognizes artists at every turn in their career.

 

“Promote the cultivation of the Fine Arts, in the United States of America, by exciting the efforts of artists, gradually to unfold, enlighten, and invigorate the talents of our Countrymen.”

—Academy Charter (December 26, 1805)

 

VISION: PAFA will be an inclusive, creative community of artists and audiences seeking education, contemplation, inspiration, and dialogue.

 

For 220 years, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (“PAFA” or “Academy”) – the oldest art museum and school in the nation – has supported a close-knit community of curators, faculty, critics, scholars, museum professionals, and alumni and created a home for contemporary artists to reinvent tradition and make their own mark on the future. PAFA is a national leader in fine arts education that brings together artists and the public through exceptional teaching programs, a world-class collection of American art, major exhibitions, and widely accessible public programs.

 

Through PAFA’s unmatched collection, archives and exhibitions, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the untold stories of American history through American art.  PAFA was founded in 1805, and its founding document, the Articles of Association, was signed by 71 supporters, including some signers of the Declaration of Independence. Additionally, the first president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts was George Clymer, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. 

 

PAFA’s museum is internationally known for its collections of American paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, and for its exhibitions that help to broaden the story of American art to include women and artists of color. Its archives house important materials for studying American art history, museums and art training.

PAFA had through collegiate partnerships, offered collegiate degrees for more than half a century. Between 2012 and 2024, PAFA offered its own BFA and MFA degree granting programs. In 2024, PAFA made the difficult decision to sunset its BFA and MFA programs and return to offering non-degreed certificate programs. Its educational offerings remain exceptional and continue to attract some of the most committed and promising art students from across the country and around the globe to study painting, drawing, printmaking, illustration, animation and sculpture with a distinguished faculty of working artists. The school has cutting-edge studio and classroom facilities, private studios for students, a historic cast collection, and the opportunity for students to exhibit in a world-class museum.  

 

CORE VALUES

 

Museum: The museum will exhibit and collect the finest American art and mount world-class exhibitions that will travel the country and tell the many stories of American history.

 

Education: PAFA is committed to providing widely accessible arts education and experiences to people of all ages and levels of expertise, from youth programs to professional training for artists.

 

Community: PAFA’s community of curators, aspiring and established artists, faculty, alumni and staff cultivate signature experiences with art and art-making.

 

Stewardship: PAFA responsibly cares for its collections and buildings through scholarship and preservation for the benefit of current and future generations.

 

Traditions: To inform contemporary artmaking, PAFA promotes active engagement with and learning from historic fine arts traditions.

 

Diversity: PAFA remains committed to ethnic, cultural, gender and artistic diversity and inclusion within the student body, faculty, professional staff and volunteers, and actively seeks to reflect the needs of diverse audiences in its programs and collections.

 

What’s Next

 

PAFA is at a thrilling crossroads as it looks toward 2026 (the nation’s semi quincentennial) and beyond, putting art at the forefront of the conversation about America’s past, present and future.

 

The Historic Landmark Building Renovation: In April 2026, PAFA will unveil its renovated museum in the Historic Landmark Building and reinstall its renowned collection, a momentous occasion that coincides with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

 

The Historic Landmark Building (HLB), conceived by the visionary Frank Furness and George Hewitt, has been a space for creating and showcasing art for nearly 150 years. Originally a grand and standalone structure in 1876, it now stands as a beautifully adorned jewel box in what is now downtown Philadelphia.

This unique opportunity allows PAFA to commemorate and celebrate America's rich history while honoring the contributions of all Americans. This is a historic event for PAFA and the city of Philadelphia. For more information on the renovation, please click here.

 

2025-2030 Strategic Plan: Alongside the renovation, PAFA recently adopted a new Strategic Plan (June 2025). This five-year plan honors America’s anniversary in 2026 and the Academy’s unique voice within that anniversary; prioritizes stewardship of the Historic Landmark Building and sustaining its future; showcases renowned and innovative American art exhibitions to travel the country; and offers a new and next chapter in its educational offerings.

 

Nation of Artists: PAFA has just announced an unprecedented exhibition that will be a collaboration of two of America’s most esteemed cultural institutions—the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. This historic collaboration with the private Middleton Family Collection will unite three extraordinary collections of American art. It will open for public enjoyment from April 2026 to September 2027.

 

Featuring more than 1,000 works across the two museums, A Nation of Artists will be the most expansive presentation of American art ever mounted in Philadelphia. To learn more about Nation of Artists, click http://www.pafa.org/news/philadelphia-museum-art-pennsylvania-academy-f....

 

The next President & CEO will lead PAFA through this momentous era of growth and creativity. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with a passionate Board of Trustees and a dedicated team to shape the future of PAFA and its impact on the art world.

 

The Opportunity

 

The President & CEO reports to the Board of Trustees and is entrusted with the overall management and strategic vision of PAFA, the museum and the school. This leader will inspire and drive innovative initiatives to elevate PAFA’s mission, envisioning an ambitious future for a world-class institution.

With a new strategic plan approved and construction on the historic building underway, the next President & CEO will play a pivotal role in bringing the capital project to life, including driving the completion of PAFA’s ambitious $25 million capital campaign. Beyond this monumental building project, they will spearhead the advancement of PAFA's mission to preserve the legacy of American art while inspiring new generations through cutting-edge art education, innovative programming, community outreach, and sustainable management practices.

 

The President & CEO will champion the highest standards of quality and integrity in museum practices and arts education, including the meticulous care and conservation of collections, while embodying best practices in management and governance. They will skillfully manage PAFA’s resources—personnel, fiscal, and capital—by recruiting, developing, and continuously evaluating the executive staff, all while maximizing fundraising and earned income, judiciously overseeing expenses, and ensuring that capital investments flourish.

Moreover, the President & CEO will serve as the primary spokesperson for PAFA and its related entities, engaging with external stakeholders on matters that resonate deeply with the arts, education, operations, and finance.

 

Essential Functions:

 

• Maintain and enhance the PAFA’s position as an outstanding museum and a visual arts education leader.

 

• Determine key executive roles required based on strategic direction and ensure that the culture of the senior executive team and the entire staff reflect the institution's values.

 

• Provide leadership and innovation in the effort to engage the already supportive board and ancillary board members, alumni, committed and anticipated individual donors, and the philanthropic community in the region. Connect with existing and new donors and encourage the general public to support PAFA and its future plans further.

 

• Develop and oversee programming—exhibitions, symposia, and cultural activities—that will diversify and enhance the profile, contribution and reach of the museum.

 

• Work with staff the board’s Museum Committee and supervise all aspects of the museum’s exhibitions, including supervising the programming, planning, and management of all aspects of PAFA’s Collection Committee and supervising the programming, planning, and management of all aspects of PAFA’s collection.

 

• With the board and executive committee, continue to develop best practices in governance, board recruitment, and committee and volunteer involvement.

 

• Represent PAFA in the local, regional, and national media, with the city and county, the state governmental entities, at the national level with the state representatives and senators, and with community, foundation, and other cultural and government leaders throughout the region.

 

• Further develop relationships and partnerships with the region's other cultural, academic, business, and community organizations.

 

• Oversee and manage PAFA operations to facilitate strong revenue growth from PAFA programs and revenue-generating activities, which support current funding needs and ensure future long-term sustainability.

 

• Oversee all aspects of the financial operation of PAFA and ensure its financial health and long-term sustainability.

 

• Enthusiastically tell the PAFA story and expand on PAFA’s resource development.

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being  performed by the person holding this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. PAFA reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.  

 

CANDIDATE PROFILE

 

Ideal candidates possess the following personal and professional qualities, competencies, skills and characteristics:

 

Strategic and Visionary Leadership

 

The CEO brings proven experience defining and executing long-term institutional goals and strategic plans with a track record of driving successful outcomes in previous roles. Naturally curious and entrepreneurial, the CEO is capable of leading boards, staff, faculty and partners to seek opportunities to grow and evolve, co-create, increase impact, build visibility and promote engagement. Such a leader anchors plans for the future with an understanding of past accomplishments and within the present context. The ideal candidate is an explorer, a person who naturally looks past the horizon, and balances the values of thinking creatively and taking risks with sound reasoning and business practices. This leader will have the enthusiasm to remain at the forefront of the arts and culture sectors both in the Philadelphia region and nationally, to continue to develop new and unique opportunities to serve the mission.

 

Ambassadorship & Fundraising

 

The CEO is a proactive steward of an institution’s assets, including people, collections, finances, facilities, reputation, and external relationships. The steward role considers current needs and attends to requirements for long-term sustainability and institutional health. The CEO understands the importance of their role as the primary “Ambassador” for the PAFA, sharing the mission and vision with the outside world and helping to expand the institution’s role and visibility. The ideal candidate demonstrates an understanding of brand management, audience development and/or strategies for growth in these areas. The ideal candidate enjoys fundraising and brings a track record of success in setting fundraising strategy that includes the acquisition of major gifts and grants from individuals, foundations, corporations and the public sector at the local, state, regional and national level. The CEO inspires confidence in donors, builds collaboration and buy-in and generates support from existing and new stakeholders. The CEO brings a natural propensity for engagement to the role and be fluent in communicating the value proposition of an organization across a range of audiences.

 

Building Relationships and Leading Through Influence

 

The CEO and will exhibit a high level of emotional intelligence, graciousness and collegiality, as well as a personal style that embodies humility and patience with confidence and strength of character. The ideal candidate is skilled at quickly establishing rapport and cultivating relationships across all levels of an organization. Highly articulate and a deft communicator, the CEO brings experience conveying an institution’s successes and opportunities with passion and intelligence, both verbally and in writing, in formal and informal situations. The CEO will embrace the opportunity to build a culture of transparency, inclusiveness and excellence through trust-building and collaboration among team members. This leader is an individual with unquestioned integrity, ethics and values.

 

Business Acumen and Management

 

The ideal leader is an individual with a high level of business intellect who is equipped to make difficult choices within a financially constrained environment. The CEO has a track record of sound financial planning, results, oversight and accountability with the ability to successfully partner with an engaged governing Board and will exercise fiduciary responsibility and sound financial management practices at all times. The CEO brings experience building and leading strong teams and will work at the highest degree of professionalism in guiding team members’ growth and development. The ideal candidate proactively, constructively and creatively conceptualizes and analyzes problems and solutions resulting in improved performance and efficiency across the organization. Adept at facilitating decision-making, the CEO solicits input from varied sources, facilitates robust dialogue, successfully navigates divergent opinions, and brings dialogue to closure.

 

Passion for the Mission

 

The CEO must have a strong personal interest in art, history, preservation and education and a commitment to actively engaging in the conversation about cultural institutions and their importance. The ideal candidate should possess a sound understanding of the principles and best practices needed to ensure of sustainability of cultural and educational institutions.

 

This leader will bring demonstrated experience authentically engaging diverse populations, students, artists, visitors and beyond, and approach their work through an inclusive lens. Globally and culturally competent, the CEO will have the character and integrity necessary to develop rapport with people of varying experiences, backgrounds, and philosophies. It is imperative that this leader treats others with respect and has a strong capacity to listen and build trust-based relationships. Finally, the ideal candidate possesses endurance, authenticity, humility and the confidence to lead, and at the same time, is successful at instilling confidence and optimism during a period of change and evolution.

 

Given the importance of building authentic and strong ties with the community, the President & CEO will be expected to reside in the Philadelphia region. 

 

Compensation 

 

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $320,000 - $350,000 with a generous benefits package

 

PAFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that actively seeks and nurtures the talents of qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. We champion equal opportunity for all applicants, embracing their unique identities, including race, color, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, and veteran status. This position entails background screening and the Caliper Personality Profile.

 

Contact

 

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Anne McCarthy, Naree Viner and Stephen Milbauer. Express interest in this role by filling out our http://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/22212 or emailing the search team directly at pafapres_ceo@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.

 

DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

 

To apply, visit: http://apptrkr.com/6455369

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.