Executive Director Garfield Center for the Arts

Maryland Citizens for the Arts; Chestertown (MD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid leave

Retirement program

Professional development

Job summary

Maryland Citizens for the Arts seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership for the Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre in Chestertown, MD. Reporting to the Board, you will drive sustainability, fundraising, and program quality for a historic arts venue.

You will oversee budgeting, fundraising campaigns, partnerships, and staff, ensuring programs align with mission and fiscal goals while expanding engagement across the region.

Qualifications

• Significant executive or nonprofit leadership experience.
• Proven fundraising, donor cultivation, and grant development.
• Strong budgeting and financial planning skills.
• Experience working with boards, staff, and volunteers.
• Commitment to the mission of a nonprofit arts organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-range strategic planning in partnership with the Board of Trustees.
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including major gifts, grants, sponsorships, annual campaigns, and capital campaigns.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and public funding partners.
• Provide regular financial and organizational reports to the Board.
• Serve as the primary public representative and advocate for the Garfield Center.
• Build relationships with community leaders, businesses, schools, governmental agencies, and arts organizations.
• Develop partnerships that support programming, fundraising, and audience development.
• Strengthen volunteer recruitment, engagement, and recognition efforts.
• Expand the organization’s visibility and impact throughout the region.
• Supervise and support staff, including the Theater Manager.
• Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain employees and volunteers.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven organizational culture.
• Ensure effective administrative, financial, and human resource practices.
• Oversee stewardship of the historic Prince Theatre and support facility planning and capital improvements.
• Work with the Programming Committee to develop a season of theatrical, musical, educational, and community programming.
• Serve as Executive Producer of productions and special events.
• Oversee educational programs, youth initiatives, camps, and community outreach efforts.
• Ensure programming aligns with the mission, audience interests, and financial goals of the organization.

Skills

Executive leadership

Fundraising

Grant development

Financial management

Board relations

Job description

Executive Director
Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre
Chestertown, Maryland

Position Overview
The Garfield Center for the Arts (GCA) seeks an experienced Executive Director to provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership for the organization and its home, the historic Prince Theatre in Chestertown, Maryland. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director is responsible for organizational sustainability, fundraising and development, financial management, community engagement, artistic oversight, and staff leadership.

The Garfield Center presents a diverse range of theatrical productions, concerts, educational programs, community events, and rentals, serving more than 10,000 audience members annually. The Executive Director works closely with the Board, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners to strengthen the organization’s financial position, expand fundraising capacity, build strategic partnerships, and support high-quality programming.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Finance, and Development

Lead long-range strategic planning in partnership with the Board of Trustees.
Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets.
Strengthen the organization’s financial stability and sustainability.
Lead fundraising efforts, including major gifts, grants, sponsorships, annual campaigns, and capital campaigns.
Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and public funding partners.
Provide regular financial and organizational reports to the Board.

Community Engagement and External Relations

Serve as the primary public representative and advocate for the Garfield Center.
Build relationships with community leaders, businesses, schools, governmental agencies, and arts organizations.
Develop partnerships that support programming, fundraising, and audience development.
Strengthen volunteer recruitment, engagement, and recognition efforts.
Expand the organization’s visibility and impact throughout the region.

Staff and Organizational Management

Supervise and support staff, including the Theater Manager.
Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain employees and volunteers.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven organizational culture.
Ensure effective administrative, financial, and human resource practices.
Oversee stewardship of the historic Prince Theatre and support facility planning and capital improvements.

Artistic and Educational Oversight

Work with the Programming Committee to develop a season of theatrical, musical, educational, and community programming.
Serve as Executive Producer of productions and special events.
Oversee educational programs, youth initiatives, camps, and community outreach efforts.
Ensure programming aligns with the mission, audience interests, and financial goals of the organization.

Required Qualifications

Significant executive, senior management, or nonprofit leadership experience.
Proven success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and grant development.
Strong financial management, budgeting, and business planning skills.
Experience leading strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives.
Experience working effectively with governing boards, staff, and volunteers.
Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with donors, businesses, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
Experience working in a collaborative, community-based environment.
Commitment to the mission of a nonprofit arts organization.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading or participating in capital campaigns and/or major fundraising initiatives.
Leadership experience in a performing arts, cultural, educational, or community-based nonprofit organization.
Knowledge of theater operations, producing, licensing, contracting, budgeting, and scheduling.
Experience overseeing educational, youth, and outreach programming.
Experience with audience development, marketing, and patron engagement.
Familiarity with volunteer-driven organizations.
Knowledge of or connections within Maryland’s Eastern Shore region.

Salary Range: $45,000-$60,000

Job Start Date: December 1, 2026; Position open until filled

Benefits: group health insurance (50% employer-paid premium), paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, personal leave, bereavement leave, participation in Maryland Saves retirement program, professional development support, and reimbursement of approved business expenses.