Executive Director – Bronzeville Center for the Arts, Milwaukee

www.bridgepartnersllc.Bridge Partners LLC is a Certified Minority Supplier and a Mcinoomrit y Business Enterprise (MBE)

https://bcamke.org/
The Institution:
The Bronzeville Center for the Arts (BCA) is a newly-created nonprofit organization rooted in the
art, culture, and history of the African Diaspora. Located in the Bronzeville Cultural and
Entertainment District, a historically African American neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
the BCA will present exhibitions, educational programs in the arts, and forums for intellectual and
cultural exchange, as it connects intergenerational audiences and advances institutional equity.
Mission:
The Bronzeville Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization that is committed to exploring,
preserving, and presenting African American and African Diaspora art and culture to enrich our
community through creative practices that span advocacy, education, entrepreneurship, and
exhibitions. The BCA is supportive, collaborative, and ideational in promoting the projects of artists
and cultures of African descent, and is fully devoted to the freedom of expression and social justice.
The BCA is dedicated to investigating ways that the arts can foster and inspire personal expression,
the exchange of ideas, and creative entrepreneurship through a wide range of programs:
exhibitions, internships, lectures, symposia, workshops, and special events. As a center for artistic,
cultural, and social interaction, the BCA empowers people of all ages to tell and create their own
stories, engage different perspectives, and collaborate on innovative art projects. These exchanges
educate our communities, support cultural and social networks, inspire professional opportunities,
and stimulate personal fulfillment.
In July 2020, a core group of stakeholders convened with the purpose of creating a dynamic new
African American- and African Diaspora-focused arts institution in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville
Cultural and Entertainment District. The Bronzeville Center for the Arts was incorporated in
November 2020 and the planning committee began work on a master plan with international
consultant Lord Cultural Resources. This process included stakeholder and community workshops
to help define the vision and mission of the BCA.
Today, the BCA rents office space in The Fortress, 1726 North 1st Street, and owns two key properties
in the heart of the Bronzeville District. The first is located at 507 West North Avenue.
Construction of this 3,500 sf building will start Fall 2022 and will become a public meeting
space and exhibition gallery in Spring of 2023. The BCA also recently acquired a remarkable 3.4-
acre property at 2312 North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, centrally located in the Bronzeville
District and an ideal location to build an art center, plaza, and gardens.
Using art to unify the community, empower youth,
foster entrepreneurship and celebrate the
history of Milwaukee’s Bronzeville District
and artists of African descent worldwide.
27 Union Square West, Suite 502 New York, NY 10003 ▪ tel 212 265 2100 ▪
www.bridgepartnersllc.Bridge Partners LLC is a Certified Minority Supplier and a Mcinoomrit y Business Enterprise (MBE)
The Role:
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Reports to: Bronzeville Center for the Arts Board of Directors
Key Responsibilities:
• Provide innovative and visionary leadership in the planning, implementation, and operation
of the newly-created Bronzeville Center for the Arts, and organization with a goal of affecting
substantive change for the benefit of the community, as well as for advancing our
understanding of African American diasporic art and culture across the region and nation.
• Oversee the planning, development and construction of the Bronzeville Center for the Arts
architectural and site projects.
• Oversee the management of the Center, directing staff regarding all day-to-day operations
including exhibitions, programming and the safety and well-being of visitors, users, and staff.
• Advise the Board on institutional strategy, operations, and policy matters.
• Lead strategic planning.
• Contribute to ongoing fundraising efforts; ensure impactful evaluation of all short-term and
long-term fundraising efforts with specific milestones necessary to ensure the financial health
of the organization.
• Prepare and oversee capital and operating budgets, ensuring appropriate levels of financial
control and compliance.
• Cultivate and develop relationships with regional Black arts, heritage and other organizations,
private- and public-sector partners, educators and public agencies, as well as the local, regional
and international media.
• Remain cognizant and up-to-date on local, community and national issues that may require
adjustments to the strategic plan, in order to leverage opportunities and/or to solve challenges.
• Enhance BCA’s reputation by being active and visible in the community and by working closely
with other professional, civic, community based, and private organizations.
• Cultivate a positive organizational culture, committed to attracting and retaining a diverse
employee base.
Skills & Experience;
• The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, innovative, and visionary individual with a passion
for African American and African Diaspora art and artists. An existing interest
in/knowledge of Black Milwaukee and Wisconsin art and artists would be an asset.
• This leader will have exceptional interpersonal skills and leadership experience gained by
working in the museum, gallery, visitor experience or nonprofit field.
• They will be confident and capable as the public face of the Center. A proven record in
fundraising success is preferred.
• Demonstrated achievement leading a team in transformative environments will be key,
bringing experience in project management, program development and strategic
partnerships. Additionally, they will have an ability to assess and implement the
infrastructure and operational requirements necessary to support sustainable growth.
• Required qualifications include a degree in nonprofit management, arts administration,
or museum management or 10+ years’ experience in nonprofit leadership, visitor
experience and/or audience development.
27 Union Square West, Suite 502 New York, NY 10003 ▪ tel 212 265 2100 ▪
www.bridgepartnersllc.Bridge Partners LLC is a Certified Minority Supplier and a Mcinoomrit y Business Enterprise (MBE)
Personal Attributes:
• Passionate and committed to the Bronzeville Center for the Arts’ mission and vision.
• A strategic and visionary leader who combines strong knowledge of African American art and
culture, institutional leadership, organizational management, and creative problem-solving
skills with commercial instinct and resourcefulness.
• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills; actively seeks input from others, at
all levels of the organization and community, creating an environment where ideas and
information are easily exchanged, and voices are heard.
• Exceptional communicator and dynamic public speaker; ability to inspire and successfully
carry out the role of being an ambassador and leading voice of BCA.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of ethics, integrity, respect and humility.
Salary range:
• $200,000 to $250,000 based on experience.
**
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact:
Tory Clarke Ryan Whitacre
Partner, Bridge Partners Partner, Bridge Partners
tory.clarke@bridgepartnersllc.com ryan.whitacre@bridgepartnersllc.com

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