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#NEHRA2019! Honored and excited to have been selected as a presenter at this fall’s NEHRA 2019 Annual Conference! Join me and Pillar Search & HR Consulting for what others are calling “an excellent conference – one of the best I’ve ever been to” and an “outstanding event; so relevant for current HR challenges!”
Pillar Search and HR Consulting is proud to have partnered with Southern Vermont Arts Center on the placement of Anne Corso as Executive Director. Welcome, Anne!
Manchester, VT, January 7, 2019—Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) is excited to announce Anne Corso as its new Executive Director.
About Southern Vermont Arts Center The mission of Southern Vermont Arts Center is to promote and nurture the arts. SVAC creates an inviting environment for the community to meet, enjoy, and participate in the arts through exhibits at Yester House and the Wilson; concerts in Arkell Pavilion; and workshops and summer camps. SVAC is situated on a beautiful 100-acre campus and expansive sculpture park in the heart of the Green Mountains. SVAC’s 2019 season opens in April with the annual Art From the Schools exhibit.
Anne comes to SVAC from the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia, where she served as the Director of Education since 2012. As Director of Education, she served on the Chrysler Museum of Art’s leadership team and was responsible for an Education Department of 5 full-time staff and more than 90 volunteer docents. She also provided oversight for the Museum’s Perry Glass Studio and its 15-person artist staff, as well as the Jean Outland Chrysler Library. In her time at the Chrysler, Anne led reinterpretation efforts in conjunction with the Museum’s renovation completed in 2014. She facilitated the successful move and reopening of the Library and led the Glass Studio through its expansion of both public and revenue-generating programs, its performance series, and its transition in leadership. She restructured and re-staffed the Education Department to its highest levels, fully integrating standards of learning into the Museum’s school programming, adding a component of community engagement that serves underrepresented audiences, and training a corps of 90 docents.
Most recently, she spearheaded the opening of the Museum’s first interactive space for families, the Wonder Studio, which has garnered national attention in the museum field. Prior to her tenure at the Chrysler, she served as the Director of Education at the Reading Public Museum in Pennsylvania from 2007 to 2012. There, she created the museum’s first Family Learning Center. From 2004 to 2007, Anne was Director of Education at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington. During her time there, she supervised a department of three full-time employees, 25 studio instructors, and over 50 docents. At Delaware, she also spearheaded several initiatives, including the design of the children’s education space, the creation of the museum’s studio art program, and the development of a visitor-centered digital storytelling tour to complement the museum’s $25 million renovation and expansion.
The arts have been Anne’s profession for two decades. In addition to her museum career, she has worked in a private art gallery, a regional art center, and a contemporary art center. Anne holds a B.A. in Art History from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania and a M.A. in Museum Education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She is a popular speaker, panelist, and advocate for enhancing visitor experiences in museums. Her most recent publication is “Listening to Our Audiences,” a chapter in Engagement and Access: Innovative Approaches for Museums (Rowman & Littlefield, July 2015).
In 2016, Anne participated in the nationally known Getty Leadership Institute for Executive Education program for museum leaders. She was also honored as a Woman of Distinction in the arts category from the YWCA of Hampton Roads in 2017 for her commitment to community engagement.
From Anne Corso, new SVAC Executive Director: “I am very excited to come to the Southern Vermont Arts Center and build upon the great work done by the trustees and SVAC’s staff. The opportunity to work with such an outstanding regional resource and to engage new audiences is very appealing. With the support of the community, I look forward to building upon SVAC’s educational programming, unique performances and exhibitions, and activating its incredible campus. On a personal level, I have been particularly impressed with the warm welcome we have received already. My husband Tim and I look forward to making Vermont our new home.”
From Bob Van Degna, President, SVAC Board of Trustees: “We are excited to introduce Anne to the Manchester and Dorset community as the new leader of the Southern Vermont Arts Center, especially as we plan for significant changes in 2019. Her experience in the arts will provide important leadership as we Reimagine SVAC by making this cultural jewel even more relevant to our entire community and our visitors.”
Southern Vermont Arts Center 930 SVAC Drive | Manchester, VT 802.362.1405 Facebook:/southernvermontartscenter Instagram:@sovtarts Press Contact for SVAC: Hannah Evans hevans@svac.org Photography by Glenn Bashaw.
Hire the best! Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides nonprofit executive search expertise, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to find the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please contact Pillar’s CEO, Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.
Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to be working on behalf of Manchester, VT-based Southern Vermont Arts Center on their search for a new Executive Director!
About Southern Vermont Arts Center
The mission statement of the Southern Vermont Arts Center is to promote and nurture the arts.
They do so by providing a meeting place in an inviting environment for their community to enjoy and participate in the arts – the community involves the children, young adults, full-time residents, summer residents, visitors, donors and artists. They do so by providing quality programming which reaches the many segments of the community at the Southern Vermont Arts Center campus and through the workshops and summer camps, and by providing their artist members an opportunity to grow in their artist endeavors by providing instruction, a place to exhibit their work, and the opportunity to sell their work.
Southern Vermont Arts Center is a steward of their assets – their endowment, their permanent collection, their campus and their legacy
Established in 1922, the Southern Vermont Arts Center provides cultural, educational, and creative opportunities for all ages, located within a four-hour drive of Boston, Montreal, and New York City.
Situated amid over one-hundred acres of pristine forest in the heart of the Green Mountains, SVAC offers a first-class experience in a traditional New England setting. With a rotating calendar of member and guest exhibitions, the largest sculpture park in Vermont, and a busy schedule of dynamic classes for all ages, the Southern Vermont Arts Center has something for everyone.
The drive into Southern Vermont Arts Center winds through a spectacular sculpture park. Visitors can explore the twenty-eight room Yester House Gallery, built in 1917, home to diverse exhibitions featuring many mediums by member artists. Across the courtyard, the contemporary Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum offers one of the East Coast’s finest exhibition spaces outside a major city and boasts over 800 pieces of 19th and 20th-century art, including the world’s largest collection of works by Luigi Lucioni.
A wide range of workshops and ongoing programs are offered year-round on campus in the Hay Madeira Education Center Studios. Programming is created for all ages and all skill levels. In the summer, the 400 seat Arkell Pavilion is regularly filled with audiences entertained by a variety of performing arts encompassing everything from dance and classical music to theater. The Center is also home to Café Sora, which features family-style Japanese cuisine, and has multiple venues available for private events.
More information about Southern Vermont Arts Center may be found at http://svac.org.
The Manchester, VT Community*
The Southern Vermont Arts Center is located near the center of Manchester, VT. Manchester offers a unique blend of New England charm, and is a popular four-season destination. Manchester is the perfect place for adventure-seekers and those looking to relax and unwind. Tucked between the Taconic and Green Mountain ranges, Manchester is a quaint, charming, four-season town with all the big city perks; world-class historic sites, award-winning cuisine at over forty eateries ranging from casual to fine dining, incredible galleries and museums, award-winning cultural venues, sophisticated shops, boutique accommodations,
and outdoor adventures for every skill level and taste.
Three acclaimed ski resorts are within easy distance – Bromley, Magic, and Stratton – and the area is well-known for its spectacular fall foliage. Those who come to Vermont for the outdoors enjoy Southern Vermont Arts Center’s connection to the Equinox Preservation trails, as well as the many acres of woodland hiking. Even during the coldest months, you can find visitors snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing in the Southern Vermont Art Center’s renowned Sculpture Park.
Manchester is part of Bennington County. As of the 2010 census, Manchester’s population was 4,391. The neighboring town of Dorset’s population is 2031. During the summer, the population expands dramatically with full-time summer residents.
Position Overview
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to create and execute a strategic vision for a historic multidisciplinary arts center!
Reporting to and working closely with the board of directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for the overall success and growth of Southern Vermont Arts Center. A visionary and entrepreneur, the Executive Director will enhance and elevate the vitality of the Center’s programs, engage and grow its member base, build a strong brand in Vermont and beyond, strengthen financial support through strategic partnerships, provide fiscal management, and oversee operations and marketing. As well, the Executive Director will lead and mentor the staff of 7 and a growing number of part-time and volunteers.
The Executive Director will oversee an annual budget of approximately $750,000 and an endowment of $3 million. The organization will, under the direction of the new Executive Director, launch a capital campaign in the near future.
As Southern Vermont Arts Center is a pillar of the rich cultural fabric in the area, the Executive Director will maintain an active presence in Manchester, working collaboratively with key stakeholders and leaders of other organizations in the arts and cultural community.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Thought-Leader
Leadership & Management
Fundraising & Financial Management
Brand-Building
Programming
Board Relations
Qualifications & Characteristics of the Ideal Candidate
The Executive Director will be a dynamic, charismatic, strategic, entrepreneurial, diplomatic, and resilient leader who can articulate a vision and plan of action for Southern Vermont Arts Center. A natural-born leader, the ideal candidate will be collaborative, encouraging engagement and fostering a sense of belonging among staff and volunteers. The Executive Director will be motivated, energetic, and comfortable affecting change and fostering a growth-mindset in an arts organization.
This leader will be a deeply committed champion of the arts, and passionate about the possibilities that exist for outstanding organizations like the Center.
To be considered, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) plus a minimum of ten to fifteen years of increasing responsibility in a senior management role. In addition, qualified candidates will possess:
Compensation and Benefits
Southern Vermont Arts Center provides a competitive total compensation plan.
Applications and Inquiries
Please submit an electronic version of your letter of interest and resume to:
Cindy Joyce
CEO
Pillar Search & HR Consulting
(617) 529-7708
cindy@pillarsearch.com
Our Commitment
Southern Vermont Arts Center and Pillar Search & HR Consulting do not discriminate on the basis of an applicant’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
*Sources: svac.org / manchestervermont.com / Vermont.com
Read my article, Turn Down the Volume on Negative Self-Talk, on Thrive Global!
I am proud to have another article, Should Resumes be a Photo-Free Zone, on Thrive Global!
Pillar Search is pleased to announce the placement of Willow Bechtel as Senior Director of National Accounts with Year Up. Year Up is an award-winning national 501(c)3 organization striving to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults ages 18-24 with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. Through a one-year intensive training program, these young adults complete a unique combination of rigorous, hands-on technical and professional skills training, college credit, and corporate internships.
Willow will work with major Fortune 500 corporate partners in need of talent, providing trained, high-potential urban young adults with internship opportunities. She will provide strategic direction, collaborating with colleagues at the national and site levels across the Year Up network.
Willow joins Year Up from Miller Heiman Group, where she has worked in both enterprise and global sales, most recently as Sales Director. Prior, Willow held the roles of Director of Sales Operations, Sales Training Manager, and Business Development Manager with M Squared Consulting. Earlier in her career, Willow served in a variety of sales and sales management positions with Apple and Xerox. In addition to her impressive sales career, Willow held fundraising roles with schools in California and Australia. Willow is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.
Hire the best! With personalized service and proven results, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides retained executive search services for exceptional non-profits and socially responsible for-profit firms. A woman-owned business, Pillar is based in Boston, MA, and works on the national level. To learn more about how Pillar can assist with your search needs, please contact Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.
Remember the fabulous show Will & Grace? For those who were not privy to it, the show ran from the late 1990’s through 2005. Based in New York, it followed the lives of best friends. Grace Adler, a woman who ran her own interior design firm had an assistant, Karen Walker, a very rich, oft-drunk socialite. Karen made no bones about the job being a hobby for her, which resulted in some very funny moments. My personal favorite Karen-ism?
Grace Adler: Karen, I don’t want a check. I want assistance. I’m the boss. I give you checks.
Karen Walker: Yes, you do, honey, and I love them. I do. You know, I keep them all right here in this box.
While TV can show the hilarity of treating a job like a hobby, in real life it’s anything but. I’ve worked with two clients this year alone who were struggling with how to work with an employee who treated their job with a nonchalant, devil-may-care, laisez-faire attitude.
While I understand that everyone has a different tolerance for stress and some can make everything seem like a breeze, the Karen Walker employee is toxic because they do the bare minimum and seemingly flaunt it in the face of their boss and colleagues. They skim that line of acceptable performance, but seem to pull far enough away from underperforming at the last minute that it keeps them employed for far too long.
The cost you expect? Other employees. The Wills and Graces of the organization, the ones with actual passion for their job and a strong sense of work ethic. While underperformers can harm morale, the Karens pour gasoline on the culture you have tried so hard to build, and then slowly burn it.
The cost that may surprise you? It takes a huge toll on your brand and worth as a leader. People will wonder if you are either aware of their bad behavior and lack the guts to do anything about it, or if you are too clueless to notice.
Nip it in the bud. In the case of my two clients, they hired me to do coaching with each of their Karen Walker employees. The first? In Karen’s words, “Oh honey no, just no.” No amount of coaching, attempts at getting the employee to modify their behavior, recognize the impact on their colleagues, or gaining better understanding the company culture worked. Thankfully, the other person responded well to the coaching and was able to make modifications to their behavior and attitude and is now thriving. If only Grace Adler had hired Pillar Search & HR Consulting!
