MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

San Antonio — firmly planted in Native American, Spanish, and Mexican history, along with later German, Czech, Polish, and other settlements — today has a metro area population of 2.2 million and is on the cutting edge of clean energy, biomedical, and cyber-security industries. This seventh largest city in the U.S. is also 15-25% functionally illiterate in English, depending on who’s counting. If you see a major disconnect in this picture and are community-oriented and passionate about literature and literacy, read on.

Gemini Ink, the only literary arts center in South Central Texas, seeks an ardent Executive | Artistic Director who can actively build on its mission to nurture writers and readers through literature and the related arts and who:

• Understands and can articulate how and why literature and literacy are inseparable

• Knows the work of diverse contemporary writers and writing – including literary, popular, regional, and global practitioners (Doesn’t hurt to be a published writer!)

• Can design creative programs responding to the literary and literacy needs of a community that is 57% Latino with a rapidly growing global population (Doesn’t hurt at all to speak Spanish!)

• Has significant experience in literary arts management and artistic direction, including budgeting, strategic planning, and best practices in the field, as well as booking attractive seasons of teaching and performing writers for a diverse community

• Has experience with government and foundation funding mechanisms and preferably has served on peer panels at local, state, national or international levels

• Is creative about fundraising, project partnerships, and community building – from the board to inner city and suburban neighborhoods

Gemini Ink is a nationally respected literary nonprofit offering dynamic programs that serve some 5,000 culturally diverse participants annually via more than 100 literary events, writing workshops, and classes for readers. Our annual budget is in the $450,000 range, and our staff of six (including the Executive Director) is supported by a strong cadre of interns and volunteers. Salary for this position begins at $50,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Candidates must have at least a B.A., and demonstrate proven leadership, non-profit organizational management, literary arts, and interpersonal skills, including persuasive public speaking, along with a significant history of community service.

EXECUTIVE | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Gemini Ink, non-profit community-based literary arts center, San Antonio, Texas

Gemini Ink,the only literary arts center in South Central Texas, champions the right of all citizens – “literary” or not – to share their stories and inner lives, vitally growing their self-esteem and sense of community. Our work also builds the critical thinking, reading, writing, and verbal skills essential to a healthy and economically thriving populace. We offer creative writing workshops, readers’ seminars, literary performances and readings, community conversations, and interdisciplinary lifelong learning for participants of all ages and levels of proficiency – from school children to elders and polished professionals to adjudicated teens. In a rapidly growing city that is 57% Latino and increasingly boasts diverse populations from all over the globe, we represent a creative response to San Antonio’s alarming 15-25% functional illiteracy in English.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive | Artistic Director is the chief executive officer and artistic program designer of this 501(c) (3) corporation, a nationally respected literary arts center impacting community literacy through the creative process. The Executive | Artistic Director reports to the board, who set policy and are actively supportive in fundraising. The Director spearheads fund development and is responsible for overall artistic design and management of the organization in keeping with best practices in the field of community-based literary arts teaching and presenting. This position requires significant evening and weekend work.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees artistic design, development, promotion, delivery, and quality of all Gemini Ink programs and events (Review at www.gemini ink.org)

• Researches and maintains a current understanding of the work of regional, national and international writers of diverse cultural and aesthetic practices

• Leads fund development efforts with the active support of the board of directors and advisory committees; maintains, along with the board, productive relationships with existing donors and identifies and cultivates potential donors

• Supervises staff, interns, and volunteers; assures the implementation of best practices in the field of literary arts administration; hires and dismisses employees based on approved personnel policies; evaluates staff on an annual basis and adjusts salaries as warranted

• Supervises maintenance of detailed funding compliance mechanisms – including the requirements of  government, foundation, and individual donors regarding acknowledgments, fulfillment, reporting, and documentation

• Works closely with Gemini Ink’s financial officer to monitor revenues and expenditures, ensure fiscal accountability and health, and maintain appropriate internal financial controls to safeguard Gemini Ink assets, all in accord with auditor recommendations, board policies, and best practices in non-profit management

• Supervises and participates in design of annual organizational and program budgets and timely financial reports for approval by the board and presentation to funders, program partners, and the community

• Implements Gemini Ink policies and priorities as established by the board; supports board operation and administration by advising and keeping board members informed; acts as ex officio board member and works with the board to achieve the organization’s goals and plans

• Prepares long-range plans with the full cooperation and participation of the board, including strategic directions and capital needs

• Serves as the public face of the organization locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally and assures that Gemini Ink’s mission and programs are consistently presented clearly and positively

• Develops and maintains relationships with other arts and community-oriented organizations, public and private entities, the business sector, and the general public at local, regional, and national levels

• Actively engages in communications plans and artistic program strategies that continually widen the impact and visibility of Gemini Ink’s work in the local community, the region, and beyond

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary begins at $50,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance and two weeks’ vacation each year.

TO APPLY

Applicants should study our website closely before applying. Please send a one-page statement of interest, along with resume/vitae, including three professional references, to search@geminiink.org Attachments should be sent as Word documents. No phone calls please.

Application review begins January 16, 2012 and continues until the position is filled.