Director of Patron Programs and Communication

About VIA Art Fund

VIA Art Fund stands apart in the landscape of contemporary arts funding as a collective initiative that connects art patrons with the most compelling cultural producers in the visual arts. Founded in 2013, the nonprofit organization has garnered global recognition for its bold yet rigorous grantmaking, as well as its unique philanthropic model centered upon a highly participatory donor engagement program. VIA Art Fund supports artists, curators, cultural institutions, and biennials primarily in the United States yet increasingly worldwide, through direct engagement with each grantee. Dedicated to promoting many voices and reaching broad audiences, VIA Art Fund champions artist projects that address today’s pressing artistic and cultural questions and that challenge notions of traditional exhibition circumstances. VIA Art Fund offers a powerful platform for galvanizing arts philanthropy. For more information about VIA Art Fund, please visit http://viaartfund.org/.

THE POSITION:

VIA Art Fund is currently seeking a Director of Patron Programs and Communication to contribute to the mission of the organization by leading the events, meetings, and activities in support of the annual arts grantmaking program. The Director of Patron Programs and Communication reports to the Executive Director and works collaboratively to steward and oversee all matters relating to the organization’s programming. This position plans and executes a robust and vibrant suite of events, programs, meetings and educational activities for the organization’s Partners (donors, patrons, and supporters), including but not limited to, lectures, tours, openings, dinners, studio visits, and excursions around the country and abroad to biennials, triennials, and other noteworthy events, all with the aim of finding creative ways to celebrate and enhance the work of VIA Art Fund. This role creates events from ideation to implementation. This position is an integral part of the team and will work collaboratively to realize impactful events that strengthen VIA’s relationships with donors, grantees, and friends. Deep engagement with VIA’s supporters which is directly related to the general business operations of VIA is 70% of the job. 20% is devoted to all marketing and communication needs. 10% administrative and support to the organization. This position works closely with the Executive Director and Director of Grantmaking & Curatorial Research on our program calendar and communications plan. This role develops and implements a comprehensive and imaginative programmatic and communications strategy, oversees day-to-day implementation and organizational communications, marketing initiatives, website oversight and social media, in collaboration with the Executive Director.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in planning patron events, donor cultivation, writing persuasive and engaging content, excellent time-management and organizational skills, and a collaborative and proactive approach to their work.

The ideal candidate is highly self-motivated, outgoing people person, with 7-10 years’ work experience in a for-profit or nonprofit arts position, educational setting, or development office. This candidate has a clear and timely communication style that comes across as warm and welcoming. An interest and background in contemporary art is required. This position requires someone who can operate in a fast-paced environment while remaining calm and collected.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support the VIA Art Fund Partnership of patrons and donors
• Lead, create, and implement compelling events, activities, and educational programs for VIA supporters
• Develop a sustainable plan for the successful promotion and implementation of VIA’s patron events, programs, and grantmaking meetings.
• Set short and long-term goals for VIA’s events program and oversee calendar
• Develop and manage project budgets for all educational programs, meetings, and events.
• Identify opportunities for VIA Art Fund patron events throughout the year – an average of one per month.
• Coordinate logistics for all public programs, grants meetings, community engagement initiatives, art fairs, and special projects.
• Serve as internal point of contact during all programs and events, troubleshooting where necessary.
• Liaise with vendors and travel agents to successfully implement events.
• Oversee organization’s marketing and media platform (print/online/social/website) as well as writing press releases, annual reports, branding and design oversight
• Nurture audience through initiatives and communication strategies, particularly by activating strategies around special VIA Art Fund moments.

Qualifications:

• Experience planning and implementing events, meetings, and programs
• BA and MA preferred in Art History (with a focus on contemporary visual art), and/or Communications, and/or Museum Studies
• Experience creating, managing, and overseeing project budgets
• Knowledgeable about contemporary art, artists, organizations, and curators
• Proven track record cultivating patrons of the arts
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in museum, gallery, or other contemporary visual art entity
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with meticulous attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment, multi-task, prioritize and complete assigned tasks.
• Comfortable working independently, as a “department of one”
• Proactive, friendly, engaged demeanor, and a sense of humor 
• Comfort in an externally facing role while maintaining a deep appreciation for the internal workings of the organization
• Independent problem-solver able to see the “bigger picture” while still paying attention to detail
• Exhibits poise, professionalism, grace under pressure, a respectful attitude, philanthropic drive, team spirit, a collaborative attitude, and a willingness to share ideas and learn on the job  
• Demonstrates flexibility, adaptability, and resourcefulness
• Demonstrates creativity and open-mindedness
• Fluency in Mac platform; social media platforms, proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, and WordPress. Ease with spreadsheets and data entry.
• Experience running Zoom webinars and meetings
• Graphic design skills a plus
• Some business travel required (25% of the time).
• Available to work Monday to Friday from10am to 6pm and occasional nights and weekends as required to deliver the patron programs calendar of events

How to Apply:

Please submit a single PDF that includes a one-page cover letter, resume, and contacts for two professional references (telephone number, title and their work email address), to [email protected] with the subject line: "Director of Patron Programs and Communication." You may address your letter to Ms. Brooke Davis Anderson, Executive Director.

No phone calls please. For more information about VIA Art Fund, please visit www.viaartfund.org.

Application deadline: April 30, 2025

VIA Art Fund staff are expected to be actively engaged and dedicated to upholding our core values of celebrating our creative community, pursuing excellence in all that we do, advancing access and opportunity to contemporary art, and cultivating creativity.

VIA Art Fund cultivates creativity, collaboration, and innovation with grantees, donors, and staff. Our success relies on participating in an interwoven environment that honors respect, joy, and hard work. As part of a small, integrated team, the Director of Patron Programming and Communication must be excited to work collaboratively so that VIA meets its mission and goals, as well as have the desire to work under the direction of the Executive Director.

04/30/2025