City of Wichita
Executive Director, Mid-America All-Indian Museum
City of Wichita, Wichita, Kansas, United States, 67232
The City of Wichita, in partnership with the Board of Trustees, seeks an accomplished Executive Director for the Mid-America All-Indian Museum to lead the development, delivery, and coordination of educational programs aligning with the Museum’s mission. The Executive Director will play a pivotal role in advancing the Mid-America All-Indian Museum’s mission of education about and preservation of American Indian culture and art by fostering community engagement and promoting cultural awareness. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead impactful initiatives within a vibrant cultural institution.
About the MuseumThe Mid-America All-Indian Museum (MAAIM) is a unique cultural institution located at the convergence of the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita, Kansas. Visitors from around the globe pass through our doors to learn about the American Indians. Established in 1969, the goal of MAAIM is to educate the community about the art, culture and heritage of American Indians while recognizing the important role they play in today's society.MAAIM features pieces from a collection with more than 3,000 artifacts and works of art. This allows for exhibits to be changed throughout the year so that a variety of stories can be told about American Indian culture and heritage. The Museum also has an exceptional educational program that caters to young students through field trips to the Museum, and to everyone in the community via our outreach programs. Hundreds of students pass through our doors each year to learn about American Indian history, culture, and way of life both in the past and in today's world.The Museum features an Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site (OWLS) through the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, a medicinal garden, a prairie, and bee hives, which produces the honey sold in the gift shop. Woven throughout the Museum is the life and art of Kiowa/Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin who created the most visited attraction in Wichita,
the Keeper of the Plains . Bosin was one of the Museum founders, and he worked to have Indian art recognized as true art.The Keeper, a 44-foot tall, 5-ton, Cor-Ten sculpture, was constructed in 1974 and was the vision of Blackbear Bosin, who helped establish the Indian Museum. In May 2007, upon completion of an 8-year, $20 million dollar project, the Keeper, located at the confluence of the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers, was placed upon a 30-foot promontory. The Plaza, which houses The Keeper, is home to various plant life, such as yucca, medicinal herbs and cactus. There are areas throughout the Plaza that detail customs and traditions of the Plains Indians, such as the four elements the medicine wheel or circle of life: air, fire, water and earth. The four elements all come together each night when five fire drums are lit for 15 minutes at 7:00pm in the winter and 9:00 pm in the summer.The Mid-America All Indian Museum joined the Museums for All program in 2022 to provide admission to qualifying individuals of all backgrounds and income levels. Reporting to the City of Wichita’s Director of Cultural Arts and Services, this role involves professional public contact and strategic program management.
Key Attributes:Each of these attributes contributes to building a well-rounded applicant capable of making a significant impact as a leader within the Mid-America All-Indian Museum, fostering its mission and strengthening its relationships with stakeholders and the community.Visionary : Demonstrates the ability to conceptualize and articulate a compelling future for the Museum, aligning with its mission and values while anticipating and embracing future trends and challenges in the museum industry.Indian Affairs : A deep understanding and respect for Native American and Indigenous cultures, histories, and etiquette. Experience working with Indigenous populations and tribal affairs, fostering relationships, and promoting collaboration between the Museum and tribal communities.Understanding the Business : Comprehends the operational, financial, and strategic aspects of running a museum. Grasps the nuances of budgeting, resource allocation, revenue generation, and the importance of sustainability in museum operations.Advancement : Has a comprehensive understanding of fundraising, including the cultivation of donations and sponsorship, grant writing, and leveraging public and private funding opportunities.Accountability : Taking ownership of responsibilities and outcomes. Reliable, transparent, and proactive in meeting commitments, ensuring that decisions and actions align with organizational goals and values.Communication : Conveying ideas, fostering relationships, and ensuring clarity both internally among staff and externally with stakeholders, visitors, and the community. This includes verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.Problem Solving : Identifies challenges, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions. Demonstrates creativity, resilience, and a systematic approach to resolving issues that arise in museum operations and community engagement.Teamwork : Collaboration, respect for diverse perspectives, and the ability to contribute positively to a team environment. Inspires trust and cooperation among colleagues to achieve common goals.Respect for Policies : Adherence to museum policies, ethical guidelines, and legal requirements. Demonstrates integrity, consistency, and a commitment to upholding professional standards in all museum activities.Internal / Customer Service : Exceptional service orientation towards both internal stakeholders (staff, volunteers) and external stakeholders (visitors, partners) is crucial. This involves responsiveness, empathy, and a dedication to enhancing the museum experience for all.Leadership – Adaptive Leadership : Adaptive leadership involves the ability to guide and motivate others through change and uncertainty. Inspires confidence, fosters innovation, and empowers others to excel while adapting to evolving museum and community needs.Professional Development : Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.Strategic Vision : Ability to think long-term, set strategic goals, and implement initiatives that advance the museum’s mission and position it as a leader in the field of cultural preservation and education.Supervisory Skills : Mentoring, coaching, and guiding staff to achieve individual and collective success. Ability to demonstrate competence in staff management, performance evaluation, and professional development.Staff Training : Designing and implementing training programs that enhance staff skills, knowledge, and performance. Ability to prioritize continuous learning and development opportunities for museum personnel.Priorities, Workflow & Delegation : Efficient management of priorities, workflow, and delegation ensures that tasks are completed effectively and efficiently. Demonstrates strong organizational skills, delegation abilities, and a strategic approach to managing museum operations.Retention : Retaining talented staff is crucial for organizational stability and success. Develops and implements strategies for promoting staff engagement, satisfaction, and retention through recognition, professional growth opportunities, and a positive work environment.City Values : Understanding and embodying the vision, mission and values of the city where at all times and demonstrates those values in community engagement, cultural sensitivity, and contributing positively to the local social and economic fabric.
Responsibilities:Plans, implements, manages, and evaluates the business and daily operations of the Museum.Advises and supports the Museum Board and follows all policies of the Board.Assists in developing annual organizational goals and objectives and a strategic plan.Manages the Museum’s budget and oversees all accounts receivable and payable.Coordinates efforts in matters of short- and long-range planning, publicity, endowments, programs, fundraising, grants, and corporate sponsorships.Trains, supervises, and evaluates staff, volunteers and/or students.Manage the organization’s calendar including scheduling and coordinator tours, presentations, educational classes, special events and rentals.Serve as a liaison with related agencies to enhance collaborative efforts.Maintain records, equipment, supplies, and membership records.Some assignments may require vehicle operation.These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive.Other duties may be assigned as needed.
Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in American Indian Studies, arts administration, museum studies, history, public administration, business, communications, or related field. (Master's preferred).5+ years of executive director or 7+ years of assistant executive director experience, preferably in a museum or cultural institution setting.Facility and business management experience.Fundraising and budget management skills.Strong interpersonal and communication skills.Experience working with volunteers, boards, and diverse communities.Knowledge of collections management and educational programming.Commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.Successful completion of pre-employment physical and drug screening.Satisfactory evaluation of criminal record check.
Preferred Skills, Experience and/or Abilities:Experience with reenactors, performers, or theatrical/performing arts.Previous museum experience and working with public collections.Familiarity with educational programming.Experience with public/private partnerships.Understanding of tourism and major attraction industry.Capital campaign and grant-writing experience.Master's level degree.
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About the MuseumThe Mid-America All-Indian Museum (MAAIM) is a unique cultural institution located at the convergence of the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita, Kansas. Visitors from around the globe pass through our doors to learn about the American Indians. Established in 1969, the goal of MAAIM is to educate the community about the art, culture and heritage of American Indians while recognizing the important role they play in today's society.MAAIM features pieces from a collection with more than 3,000 artifacts and works of art. This allows for exhibits to be changed throughout the year so that a variety of stories can be told about American Indian culture and heritage. The Museum also has an exceptional educational program that caters to young students through field trips to the Museum, and to everyone in the community via our outreach programs. Hundreds of students pass through our doors each year to learn about American Indian history, culture, and way of life both in the past and in today's world.The Museum features an Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site (OWLS) through the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, a medicinal garden, a prairie, and bee hives, which produces the honey sold in the gift shop. Woven throughout the Museum is the life and art of Kiowa/Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin who created the most visited attraction in Wichita,
the Keeper of the Plains . Bosin was one of the Museum founders, and he worked to have Indian art recognized as true art.The Keeper, a 44-foot tall, 5-ton, Cor-Ten sculpture, was constructed in 1974 and was the vision of Blackbear Bosin, who helped establish the Indian Museum. In May 2007, upon completion of an 8-year, $20 million dollar project, the Keeper, located at the confluence of the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers, was placed upon a 30-foot promontory. The Plaza, which houses The Keeper, is home to various plant life, such as yucca, medicinal herbs and cactus. There are areas throughout the Plaza that detail customs and traditions of the Plains Indians, such as the four elements the medicine wheel or circle of life: air, fire, water and earth. The four elements all come together each night when five fire drums are lit for 15 minutes at 7:00pm in the winter and 9:00 pm in the summer.The Mid-America All Indian Museum joined the Museums for All program in 2022 to provide admission to qualifying individuals of all backgrounds and income levels. Reporting to the City of Wichita’s Director of Cultural Arts and Services, this role involves professional public contact and strategic program management.
Key Attributes:Each of these attributes contributes to building a well-rounded applicant capable of making a significant impact as a leader within the Mid-America All-Indian Museum, fostering its mission and strengthening its relationships with stakeholders and the community.Visionary : Demonstrates the ability to conceptualize and articulate a compelling future for the Museum, aligning with its mission and values while anticipating and embracing future trends and challenges in the museum industry.Indian Affairs : A deep understanding and respect for Native American and Indigenous cultures, histories, and etiquette. Experience working with Indigenous populations and tribal affairs, fostering relationships, and promoting collaboration between the Museum and tribal communities.Understanding the Business : Comprehends the operational, financial, and strategic aspects of running a museum. Grasps the nuances of budgeting, resource allocation, revenue generation, and the importance of sustainability in museum operations.Advancement : Has a comprehensive understanding of fundraising, including the cultivation of donations and sponsorship, grant writing, and leveraging public and private funding opportunities.Accountability : Taking ownership of responsibilities and outcomes. Reliable, transparent, and proactive in meeting commitments, ensuring that decisions and actions align with organizational goals and values.Communication : Conveying ideas, fostering relationships, and ensuring clarity both internally among staff and externally with stakeholders, visitors, and the community. This includes verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.Problem Solving : Identifies challenges, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions. Demonstrates creativity, resilience, and a systematic approach to resolving issues that arise in museum operations and community engagement.Teamwork : Collaboration, respect for diverse perspectives, and the ability to contribute positively to a team environment. Inspires trust and cooperation among colleagues to achieve common goals.Respect for Policies : Adherence to museum policies, ethical guidelines, and legal requirements. Demonstrates integrity, consistency, and a commitment to upholding professional standards in all museum activities.Internal / Customer Service : Exceptional service orientation towards both internal stakeholders (staff, volunteers) and external stakeholders (visitors, partners) is crucial. This involves responsiveness, empathy, and a dedication to enhancing the museum experience for all.Leadership – Adaptive Leadership : Adaptive leadership involves the ability to guide and motivate others through change and uncertainty. Inspires confidence, fosters innovation, and empowers others to excel while adapting to evolving museum and community needs.Professional Development : Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.Strategic Vision : Ability to think long-term, set strategic goals, and implement initiatives that advance the museum’s mission and position it as a leader in the field of cultural preservation and education.Supervisory Skills : Mentoring, coaching, and guiding staff to achieve individual and collective success. Ability to demonstrate competence in staff management, performance evaluation, and professional development.Staff Training : Designing and implementing training programs that enhance staff skills, knowledge, and performance. Ability to prioritize continuous learning and development opportunities for museum personnel.Priorities, Workflow & Delegation : Efficient management of priorities, workflow, and delegation ensures that tasks are completed effectively and efficiently. Demonstrates strong organizational skills, delegation abilities, and a strategic approach to managing museum operations.Retention : Retaining talented staff is crucial for organizational stability and success. Develops and implements strategies for promoting staff engagement, satisfaction, and retention through recognition, professional growth opportunities, and a positive work environment.City Values : Understanding and embodying the vision, mission and values of the city where at all times and demonstrates those values in community engagement, cultural sensitivity, and contributing positively to the local social and economic fabric.
Responsibilities:Plans, implements, manages, and evaluates the business and daily operations of the Museum.Advises and supports the Museum Board and follows all policies of the Board.Assists in developing annual organizational goals and objectives and a strategic plan.Manages the Museum’s budget and oversees all accounts receivable and payable.Coordinates efforts in matters of short- and long-range planning, publicity, endowments, programs, fundraising, grants, and corporate sponsorships.Trains, supervises, and evaluates staff, volunteers and/or students.Manage the organization’s calendar including scheduling and coordinator tours, presentations, educational classes, special events and rentals.Serve as a liaison with related agencies to enhance collaborative efforts.Maintain records, equipment, supplies, and membership records.Some assignments may require vehicle operation.These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive.Other duties may be assigned as needed.
Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in American Indian Studies, arts administration, museum studies, history, public administration, business, communications, or related field. (Master's preferred).5+ years of executive director or 7+ years of assistant executive director experience, preferably in a museum or cultural institution setting.Facility and business management experience.Fundraising and budget management skills.Strong interpersonal and communication skills.Experience working with volunteers, boards, and diverse communities.Knowledge of collections management and educational programming.Commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.Successful completion of pre-employment physical and drug screening.Satisfactory evaluation of criminal record check.
Preferred Skills, Experience and/or Abilities:Experience with reenactors, performers, or theatrical/performing arts.Previous museum experience and working with public collections.Familiarity with educational programming.Experience with public/private partnerships.Understanding of tourism and major attraction industry.Capital campaign and grant-writing experience.Master's level degree.
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