The Farnsworth Art Museum opened its doors in 1948 in Rockland, Maine, with a singular mission to celebrate Maine’s role in American art. The Farnsworth’s primary purpose is to be a repository for American art objects related to Maine and a resource for all, including a regional and national audience.
Throughout the Museum’s history, it has championed the unique role that Maine plays in the larger story of American art. The Farnsworth’s collection of approximately 16,000 works focuses on American art from the 18th century to the present, in all media, with a special emphasis on artists with deep connections to Maine. From purchasing works by a young Andrew Wyeth–becoming the first museum to do so–to collecting important works by artists such as Fitz Henry Lane, George Bellows, Rockwell Kent, Lynne Drexler, Lois Dodd, Daniel Minter, Ann Craven, and Jeremy Frey, the Museum has and will continue to champion Maine’s important contributions to the ongoing narrative in American art. The Farnsworth is also broadening and diversifying collections to more fully reflect the breadth of Maine artists working today and the interests of a growing and multicultural audience.
The Museum also cares for two historic properties: the Farnsworth Homestead, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and the Olson House, joining the campus in 1991 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2011.
Welcoming approximately 75,000 visitors each year, the Farnsworth has a $58M economic impact on the midcoast and surrounding areas and has revitalized the creative capital of Rockland. It is the first art museum in Maine to receive accreditation by AAM.
The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) leads the Farnsworth Art Museum’s Advancement division in support of the mission to celebrate Maine’s role in American art. The CAO is an experienced and creative strategist and expert communicator who effectively partners with philanthropic leaders. This individual is a team leader, relationship builder, storyteller, and fundraiser, responsible for attracting, engaging and inspiring, to effectively yield meaningful long-term relationships with museum supporters. Reporting to the Executive Director (Museum Director) and a member of the museum’s Executive Team, the CAO leads a staff of eight professionals. As an essential member of the Executive Team, the CAO supports museum staff and donors.
The Chief Advancement Officer will carry a portfolio of major donors and work closely with Board and campaign leadership. With a national Board and prospect base, the CAO will join the Director, Chief Curator and others to staff and attend Board meetings and national events. The CAO will be responsible for leading an upcoming comprehensive campaign in conjunction with the Board and Museum Director. They will also be responsible for implementing a strategy that achieves campaign and revenue goals while building the number of prospects, donors, and engagement programs for long-term expansion of the Farnsworth.
The CAO will be empowered to assess and optimize the organizational structure and functional alignment of the Advancement division in consultation with the Museum Director. They will champion sound, efficient systems and processes while also fostering an appropriate tolerance for risk among staff and ensuring that strategic, data-informed decision making guides their work. Broadening the museum’s major and principal gifts culture is a key priority for the CAO. They will work in close partnership with the Museum Director and Trustees to expand connections to prospective, high-capacity individual and institutional funders and to inspire their increasing levels of support. Acknowledging Rockland’s long history as a seasonal destination with a significant population increase during the summer months, it will be critical for the CAO to further strengthen relationships with philanthropists and high-net-worth individuals who have an affinity for but do not live in the region full time. There continues to be tremendous opportunity to cultivate these relationships more strategically with an eye toward future investment. As the museum continues to enhance its national and international reputation as a premiere collection of works from some of America’s greatest artists, it will be essential to expand the museum’s donor base proportionately. This will require significant donor discovery work on behalf of the CAO and the frontline Advancement Team.
The incoming CAO will join a dynamic and talented Advancement division, Board of Trustees, and organization that has undertaken a great deal of strategic, intentional work in recent years to position the Farnsworth Art Museum for future success.
While the Farnsworth will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will have the following qualifications/experience.
- Commitment to and passion for the Farnsworth Art Museum’s mission and values.
- Appreciation for the Farnsworth’s collection and a dedication to the Museum’s mission, enjoyment of culture and the arts.
- Experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or advancement, within a senior leadership role.
- Demonstrated success in leading multi-faceted fundraising strategies, securing major gifts, managing capital campaigns, and developing planned giving programs.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and collaborating with marketing, membership, curatorial, education, programming or such departments to support integrated advancement initiatives.
- Expertise in donor data management and analysis to drive strategic decision-making and optimize fundraising outcomes.
- Understanding of artificial intelligence and its usefulness in identifying fundraising opportunities and enhancing data-driven decision-making in donor management.
- Exceptional leadership abilities, with a proven track record of inspiring and managing high-performing teams.
- Entrepreneurial and creative; driven to innovate and improve.
- Highly skilled and experienced in written and oral communication.
The Farnsworth Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer and all applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to building a culturally diverse staff and encourage all qualified professionals to apply.
The Farnsworth Art Museum has retained the DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice of DSG Global to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) may be submitted via the following link or directed to the leader of the search team:
https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/21939
Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Global Managing Partner and Practice Founder – DSG Fundraising & Advancement
DSG Global
The Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10174
[email protected] | 212.542.2587