Celebrating 80 years of connecting people through art, TAM is proud of its impressive history and excited about its future. The Museum is an anchor in the city’s downtown area, and its recent and future expansions are a testament to TAM’s strong roots in the community, forward-thinking leadership, and passionate staff.
The museum’s collection of more than 4,500 works emphasizes the art and artists of the Northwest and broader western region. In addition, TAM has, and continues to, acquire works by national and international artists.
The Opportunity: Director of Development
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development is responsible for creating momentum and driving success in planning, managing, and implementing the development strategy, thereby galvanizing all contributed income for Tacoma Art Museum. This position will ensure fulfillment of the Museum’s vision, mission and brand through its fundraising programs. The Director will develop and implement strategies to build upon current relationships with multi-channel donor engagement and forge new connections with donors from all venues and through all media that will increase contributed income. The Director also leads a team of five.
The Director of Development will possess a proven track record in providing creative and innovative leadership in resource development and promoting and administering dynamic fundraising strategies. S/he will bring an intellectual curiosity and ability to continually push, advance, and grow the Museum.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in the full spectrum of development activities, with a particular focus on management, building infrastructure, and soliciting major gifts. S/he will be self-motivated, results-oriented, creative, entrepreneurial, highly energetic and intelligent, with exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills.
Performance Objectives
Leadership and Staff Management
This position offers a competitive salary with strong benefits. Relocation assistance is offered. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. Tacoma Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. TAM strongly encourages applicants from members of groups under-represented in careers related to museums and the visual arts.
To Apply
Candidates may apply by clicking the APPLY NOW button below. To assure confidential tracking, no resumes will be accepted via email. This search is being managed by Heather Eddy, President and CEO of Alford Executive Search. Questions may be addressed to Kelly Monahan at
KMonahan@AlfordExecutiveSearch.com.
Alford Executive Search, a division of Kistner Eddy Executive Services (KEES), is a retained search firm that builds transformative teams and leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. For more information, please visit
www.AlfordExecutiveSearch.com.
More About TAM
The Museum is led by an exceptional, committed, and well-connected Board of Trustees and Executive Director Stephanie Stebich. Ms. Stebich has led the Museum for over a decade as a dynamic and passionate leader who is also a natural fundraiser. She has developed an impressive culture of philanthropy, supported by a curatorial, education, marketing and communications, and development staff that meet regularly to design innovative programming and exhibitions. Ms. Stebich believes in the transformative power of art, for people and communities, and has positioned TAM to be a catalyst in improving the region. TAM’s operating budget is 5.2M and its 30M endowment has tripled over the past three years (with additional expectancies anticipated).
In November 2014, as a result of a tremendous gift donated by the Haub Family, a $15.5 million building project designed by Olson Kundig Architects added approximately 16,000 square feet to the Museum. The new wing doubled TAM’s gallery space and showcases the Haub Family Collection of Western American Art, one of the nation’s premier western American art collections, with approximately 300 works spanning 200 years.
On the heels of that exciting expansion, TAM announced on January 14, 2016, that Becky Benaroya donated the collection of 225 works that she and her late husband Jack Benaroya carefully assembled during their 70 years of marriage. The collection includes Northwestern and international studio glass art, along with important paintings and sculptures by renowned regional artists. The gift includes a $14M contribution for the construction of a new 7,390 square foot gallery addition in which to present the collection, an endowment fund for its care, and funds for a dedicated curator. TAM’s expanding collection further establishes the Pacific Northwest as the nation’s glass art epicenter.
Other highlights of the Museum include the largest retrospective museum collection of glass art by Tacoma native Dale Chihuly on continued view, the largest collection of studio art jewelry by Northwest artists, key holdings in 19th century European and 20th century American art, and one of the finest collections of Japanese woodblock prints on the West Coast.
The City of Destiny
Tacoma is a lively city, beautifully set in a dramatic backdrop of water, forests, and mountains. Just thirty miles southwest of Seattle, it is the second largest city in Washington. Known for its world-renowned glass art, Tacoma’s vibrant urban core is alive with culture. Find yourself surrounded by creativity and city sophistication when you eat, shop, and stroll Tacoma’s downtown. The friendly city inspires many to celebrate the melding of old and new.
Ranked as one of the “most walkable cities in the country,” by Prevention Magazine, Tacoma is located on the beautiful Puget Sound and is known as a haven for hikers, runners, and cyclists. You don’t need to pack hiking boots to enjoy the mesmerizing outdoors. You will find many parks, gardens, and wildlife that make Tacoma a nature wonderland and will be within close proximity to Mt. Rainier.
Tacoma Art Museum is located in Tacoma’s vibrant downtown area, which houses five other museums and the University of Washington–Tacoma. The investment in Tacoma’s infrastructure has led to the development of an energetic, creative community of writers, artists, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, passionate entrepreneurs, and small business owners.
Drawing families to its charming neighborhoods with big city amenities, true urbanites are drawn to downtown Tacoma for its competitively priced living spaces with sweeping mountain, city, and water views. With no state income tax and two highly-ranked hospital systems, it is often cited as a top-ten place to retire.
Part of one of the fastest-growing areas of the country, Tacoma is truly a great place to call home.