City of Mesa

Arts and Culture Director

Organization

The City of Mesa is the 36^th largest city in the United States and the third largest in Arizona, with a population of over a half million people and an annual budget of $2.7 billion. Located within the greater Phoenix-Mesa Metropolitan area, it is a vibrant, diverse city offering an eclectic mix of museums, arts, culture, and heritage.

Mesa’s Arts and Culture Department offers a broad array of arts programs, performances, facilities, and engagement activities. Its annual budget of $25.4 million with 132.9FTE operates several city-owned arts and culture venues: Mesa Arts Center (MAC), Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum (MCAM, part of MAC), Arizona Museum of Natural History (AZMNH), and the idea Museum. The Arts and Culture Department also hosts arts and culture classes, events, and community engagement activities and engages in strategic partnerships with a variety of arts and cultural community organizations. The City’s Arts and Culture Department’s total participation has grown from approximately 460,000 individuals annually in FY2010 to over 618,000 in FY2024.

Located in the heart of downtown Mesa, the Mesa Arts Center (MAC) is a seven-acre campus with 212,755 square feet that includes four performing arts theaters, 14 visual and state-of-the-art studios and classrooms, and the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. The MAC is widely known as a premier arts center in the region. The entire campus is “a stage,” and all assets foster a range of disciplines, including visual arts, dance, acting, and festivals. Programs include: LIT Ink (a spoken word/poetry after-school program advancing both traditional and social/emotional/cultural literacy), Classical Music Inside Out, Creative Aging, Arts in Service (free studio programs for veterans and active military), MABEL (Mobile Arts-Based Engagement Lab), Out to Lunch free lunchtime concerts, artist residencies, and more. The Mesa Arts Center is supported by the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Mesa Arts Center Foundation.

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum (MCAM) provides local and international artists with the opportunity to present a broad variety of visual art within its galleries. The museum features five galleries, which showcase 15 annual curated and juried exhibitions of contemporary art by internationally recognized emerging artists and features educational opportunities, such as lectures and workshops.

Arizona Museum of Natural History (AZMNH) is the premier natural history museum in Arizona that interprets and preserves the record of the natural world and the place humans have in it, as well as promotes understanding and respect of the Southwest in a global context. Known locally as the dinosaur museum, the museum holds substantial collections of the Southwest’s natural history and anthropology. AZMNH, assisted by the Southwest Paleontology Society, conducts paleontological and archeological research throughout Arizona. The AZMNH Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to financially supporting the mission of the AZMNH. Discussions are underway to consider improvements to the museum, possibly from partial funding through a public bond in the near future.

City of Mesa idea Museum (Mesa’s children’s museum) is designed to spark the imagination, stimulate the mind, and captivate the eyes of children and family members. There is something for everyone at this museum and it is filled with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) learning experiences. The museum hosts several world-class exhibitions annually and features ArtVille, a special art township for kids under four years of age. The idea Museum Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting the museum's educational programs, exhibitions, and operations. Currently, the Foundation is raising funds to design and install exhibits within new or expanded museum spaces. These new and expanded spaces are under design and have been publicly funded through a public bond election.

Community

Mesa is a full-service, diverse city that is also one of the nation's fastest-growing cities with more than 500,000 residents across more than 138 square miles. It operates under a charter form of government with citizens electing an at-large mayor and six district council members to set policy for the city. Mesa enjoys progressive leadership, a skilled and well-educated workforce, two airports with access to an international airport, consistently low crime rates, quality schools, outstanding public facilities, road utilities and community and safety services, and a reasonable tax structure. Mesa offers a unique blend of urban excitement within natural desert surroundings with warm weather, delicious food, world-class golf, fabulous shopping, and many other exciting activities. The region is culturally rich, is a certified autism-friendly community, and enjoys a collegial group of regional arts, culture, and science institutions open to sharing and partnering.

Numerous properties in the city are historical and have been included in the National Register of Historic Places and the listings of the Mesa Historic Properties. Other cultural institutions, in addition to the City of Mesa’s facilities mentioned, include the Arizona Wing Aircraft Museum, Southwest Shakespeare Company, and numerous community arts groups. HoHoKam Park of the Cactus League is home of the Oakland Athletics, and Sloan Park is the home of the Chicago Cubs during spring training.

According to the 2020 census, the racial composition of Mesa was: 65.7% White (59.6% Non-Hispanic Whites), 27.3% Hispanic or Latino (of any race), 4.2% Black or African American, 12.3% Two or more races, 2.7% Native American, 2.6% Asian and 0.4% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. Mesa Public Schools serves most of the city, while three other school districts oversee a small area in the southern part of the city. More than 40,000 students are enrolled in more than 14 colleges and universities located in Mesa, including ASU’s Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center in downtown Mesa, which opened in fall 2022. The MIX Center is home to the Sidney Poitier New American Film School, which aspires to be the most inclusive, most affordable, and most impactful film program for the next generation of cinematic storytellers.

Position Summary

The Arts and Culture Director (the Director) will serve on the Executive Team as the cultural diplomat for the City of Mesa and provide leadership and arts education advocacy, direct department-wide fundraising and development, and provide strategic direction for the department, articulating the positive impacts of the arts and culture in and for the city. The Arts and Culture Director, who will report to Mesa’s City Manager’s Office, will function as an arts and culture advisor to the City Council, City Manager, and the public at large. The Director will maintain a visible presence in guiding the cultural, economic, and overall strategic thinking, partnerships, program and policy development, and oversight of the City’s public art, visual, and performing arts programs, and facilities. The Arts and Culture Director will work closely with the Museum and Cultural Advisory Board (MCAB), Mesa Arts Center Foundation, AZMNH Foundation, and idea Museum Foundation. The Arts and Culture Director will be responsible for establishing short and long-range goals and objectives, overseeing the preparation and administration of department budgets, and monitoring related expenditures and revenues to provide effective, efficient, and economical fiscal management of department facilities and programs. The Director will also provide philosophical direction, mentorship, and evaluation of various department administrators to ensure organizational vibrancy and integrated cultural branding for the community.

Role and Responsibilities

Management and Operations

Provide strategic and management oversight of the Arts and Culture Department, its programs, and its facilities to ensure that patrons and community members have a safe and high-quality experience—the Mesa way.
Nurture partnerships with the City Council, City departments, and other local entities to align the goals of the individual cultural venues and the strategic priorities of the Mesa City Council.
Support a welcoming, safe, accessible, and integrity-driven environment across all arts and culture institutions.
Recruit, retain, and mentor staff, and provide thoughtful guidance to the senior leadership team centered on team cohesiveness, employee growth, and collaboration.
Support and advise on facility maintenance and improvements, and assess and implement new organizational and programmatic strategies.
Embrace additional management and operations responsibilities as needed.

Strategy, Finance, and Fundraising

Ensure sound financial management and operational practices are in accordance with city policies and procedures.
Assume a leading role in building art-based economic development in Mesa, oversee development activities, and maintain strong relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and government funders to maximize contributed income.
Embrace and support additional strategy, finance, and fundraising responsibilities as needed.

Communications and Community Engagement

Serve as Mesa’s spokesperson for the City of Mesa arts and culture programs.
Provide oversight to lead and guide departmental and interdepartmental collaborations and ensure active and meaningful community engagement.
Listen, negotiate, and collaborate with diverse groups and representatives from public and private agencies.
Represent the City of Mesa’s arts and cultural programs to the artistic, social, political, and business communities, demonstrating a commitment to integrating arts, entertainment, and educational programming into Mesa.
Collaborate with boards and staff of arts partners to elevate the profile, image, and audiences of the City of Mesa and its cultural institutions, and to maximize community benefit and earned revenues.
Embrace and support additional communications and community engagement responsibilities as needed.

Artistic and Programmatic Leadership

Direct and provide creative and business direction of administrative and production planning support for the Arts and Culture Department.
Interact with and stay abreast of developments in the regional arts and culture and expand its influence regionally and nationally.
Support innovative marketing, fundraising, and economic/fund development strategies.
Embrace additional artistic and programmatic leadership responsibilities as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

The selected individual will have a well-rounded set of competencies that sets them apart from others in the field. As a visionary, results-oriented, collaborative, and passionate leader, they will be able to set, pursue, and reach goals for the Arts and Culture Department and the city. The individual will be or become known as a leader in arts and culture in the City of Mesa, regionally and nationally. A champion of new ideas and with a keen sense of art-based economics, this individual will exhibit the following competencies:

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills – The adaptability to cooperate with others (internally and externally) to meet objectives by effectively communicating and listening, showing empathy, building rapport, empowering experienced staff, and relating well to all kinds of people.
Planning, Organizing, and Problem Solving – The capability to work with a team to establish courses of action, ensuring that work is completed effectively and in the best interest of the City of Mesa.
Project Management and Accountability – The ability to empower staff while also ensuring team accountability and being answerable for personal actions.
Leadership – The ability to develop an experienced team with a united purpose and drive.
Customer Focus – The ability to influence and drive towards excellence to deliver customer needs, wants, and expectations.
Diplomacy and Flexibility – The sensitivity to handle difficult or politically sensitive issues effectively and tactfully.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates will have a combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree in a related field is preferred. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible managerial, supervisory, and administrative experience is required. Experience in local government and arts institution management sufficient to integrate the activities of the department is preferred. Candidates must have excellent skills and experience in decision-making, planning, economic development, and organization in fields directly related to arts and theater administration, facility administration, event planning and support functions, live event producing, public art, marketing, business, fund development, budget management, and/or related fields.

Compensation and Benefits

The City of Mesa provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent health insurance options, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and professional development opportunities. The anticipated salary range for this position is $136,240 to $183,372.

Applications and Inquiries

To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please click here or visit artsconsulting.com/opensearches. For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact:

Ernest A. Figueroa, Associate Vice President
Arts Consulting Group logo.
8581 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 406
Los Angeles, CA, 90069-4120
Tel (888) 234.4236 Ext 226
Email MesaArts@ArtsConsulting.com

Mesa is a place where people come TOGETHER to make up a strong, vibrant community. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to succeed and contribute in meaningful ways within the community. Our commitment is to cultivate a city where individuals and families thrive—where hard work, collaboration, and community spirit drive progress. Through citywide initiatives and programs, we are dedicated to making Mesa a place where prosperity grows, and everyone is welcome.

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