Director – CREATE Newberry

About CREATE

CREATE is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to partnering with the community to provide sustainable support for the Newberry Arts Center, ensuring the growth and appreciation of the arts through its programs and services. Established to provide strategic fundraising leadership and volunteer engagement, the organization plays a critical role in sustaining and expanding the Arts Center’s impact in the region. Through innovative fundraising initiatives, volunteer programs, and community partnerships, the nonprofit enables the Arts Center to thrive and extend its reach to artists, students, and audiences alike.

About the Newberry Arts Center and Community

The Newberry Arts Center is a growing and expanding hub for creativity, offering a diverse range of arts programs including visual arts workshops, and educational initiatives for youth and adults. Located in a vibrant small rural community, the Newberry Arts Center serves as a cultural anchor and a gathering place for residents, artists, and visitors. The current capital campaign to outfit a new building will significantly enhance the Center’s capacity to deliver high-quality programs, showcase local artists, and engage the community in meaningful cultural experiences.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting leadership opportunity for a visionary Director to guide the nonprofit in its next chapter of growth. The Director will provide strategic direction, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure the successful completion of the current capital campaign. In addition, the Director will oversee the Artisan Shop, a mission-driven retail enterprise that supports local artists, highlights Arts Center programming, and generates additional revenue. This role offers a unique chance to shape the future of a small-market nonprofit arts organization, fostering both financial sustainability and deep community engagement.

Strategic Priorities for the Next 3–5 Years

The Director will focus on several key strategic priorities, including:

• Successfully closing the capital campaign to outfit the Arts Center’s new facility.

• Developing a sustainable long-term fundraising strategy that diversifies revenue streams.

• Expanding and strengthening the donor base and community support.

• Increasing awareness, engagement, and participation in Arts Center programs.

• Ensuring the Artisan Shop operates as a mission-driven and financially sustainable enterprise.

• Strengthening partnerships and collaboration with local organizations, artists, and volunteers to enhance programmatic impact.

Key Responsibilities

The Director will oversee all aspects of the nonprofit’s operations, including:

• Providing overall organizational leadership and strategic direction.

• Leading and completing the current capital campaign.

• Developing and implementing a long-term fundraising plan, including major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and donor cultivation.

• Expanding and diversifying the donor community to ensure long-term sustainability.

• Managing fundraising events and campaigns to engage supporters and increase visibility.

• Overseeing the Artisan Shop, ensuring it is financially sustainable, aligned with the mission, and highlights Arts Center programs and local artists.

• Recruiting, supervising, and supporting two part-time staff members.

• Recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteers.

• Overseeing financial management, including budgeting, reporting, and ensuring accountability.

• Partnering with the Board of Directors and Arts Center leadership to align organizational strategies with community needs.

Leadership and Management

The Director will:

• Report directly to the CREATE Board of Directors.

• Serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the board.

• Attend board meetings and provide regular operational and strategic reports.

• Work collaboratively with the Newberry Arts Center leadership to ensure alignment across programs and initiatives.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and mission-driven decision-making across staff, volunteers, and community partners.

Candidate Profile: Experience and Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of fundraising expertise, business acumen, and community engagement experience. Specifically:

• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and/or business development.

• Experience in nonprofit leadership, ideally in arts organizations or small-market nonprofits.

• Strong financial management and operational oversight skills.

• Experience managing staff and volunteers, with the ability to foster professional growth and collaboration.

• Comfortable working closely with a Board of Directors and guiding governance practices.

• Proven ability to build partnerships and strengthen community engagement.

• Familiarity with mission-driven retail operations or a willingness to oversee a revenue-generating Artisan Shop.

Personal Characteristics and Leadership Style

The ideal Director will be:

• Community-oriented, eager to live and work in a small rural area and to build deep, lasting relationships locally.

• Passionate about the arts and the transformative impact of cultural programs.

• Collaborative, able to work effectively with artists, volunteers, donors, staff, and board members.

• Entrepreneurial and innovative, comfortable wearing multiple hats in a growing organization.

• Mission-driven, with a strong sense of accountability and a focus on long-term sustainability.

• Engaging and inspiring, capable of motivating staff, volunteers, and community partners around a shared vision.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity for a strategic, visionary, and community-focused leader to guide a small-market nonprofit arts organization toward sustained impact, financial health, and broader community engagement.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and list of three references to createnewberry@gmail.com by Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.