Inaugural Executive Director Position Description

About the Foundation

The Wyeth Foundation for American Art (WFAA) is one of the nation’s preeminent funders of institutions and individuals working at the forefront of American art scholarship, presentation, and public programming. WFAA was established in 2002 as an Artist-Endowed Foundation through the foresight and generosity of Andrew N. Wyeth and Betsy James Wyeth. With a mission to encourage the study and recognition of excellence in American art, the Foundation serves as an essential partner to those deepening the public’s understanding of and access to this country’s artistic heritage. It realizes this commitment by supporting museums, arts organizations, and scholarly associations to assist emerging and distinguished scholars and enable innovative exhibitions, scholarly publications, conservation initiatives, and educational programs.

In addition to a robust philanthropic program aimed at advancing the American art history community, WFAA plays a unique role dedicated to increasing scholarship and public access to the artistic achievements of Andrew Wyeth. These achievements are often best understood in the context of the multiple generations of Wyeth family artists, interconnected through their training and lived experiences as well as their deep ties to the lands and waters of the Brandywine River Valley in Pennsylvania and the coast and islands of Maine.

To this end, the Foundation owns and stewards the curation of more than 7,000 works of art created by Andrew Wyeth and members of his family, which it deploys through sustaining partnerships with the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art and the Farnsworth Art Museum, each located in a geographic region with which the Wyeth family has deep ties. The Foundation also manages two significant study centers focused on work by the artist and his family and maintains longstanding relationships with other prominent museums, such as the Smithsonian Museum of American Art.

 

About the Inaugural Executive Director

This is a pivotal moment in the Foundation’s institutional development. Its assets have grown significantly through a bequest received following the death of Betsy Wyeth in 2020 and now exceed $250 million in a combination of endowed funds, works of art, and properties. With that growth and the opportunities it affords, the Foundation’s board has determined it is the optimal time to restructure its operations by establishing a new position of Executive Director. The Executive Director, working with and reporting to a talented and dedicated board composed of prominent curators, art historians, conservators, and business and educational leaders, will lead the next phase of the WFAA’s growth and impact.

As noted above, a distinctive aspect of the Foundation’s role is its stewardship of the artist’s collected works and its support for the conservation, exhibition, and study of those works. These efforts are led by art historian William Coleman, who serves as Wyeth Foundation Curator of the Andrew and Betsy Wyeth Collection and Director of the Andrew and Betsy Wyeth Study Center in partnership with the Brandywine and Farnsworth museums. In a unique governance structure, the Wyeth Foundation Curator works directly with the leaders of the two partner museums as well as the Foundation board. This has been a highly productive partnership and the Executive Director will be charged with supporting these important relationships and ensuring the Wyeth Foundation Curator has the resources necessary for continued groundbreaking work. 

In sum, the board seeks candidates for the new role of Executive Director who have a deep relationship to the artistic work of the generations of Wyeths and a commitment to extending their combined legacy when appropriate while furthering a larger philanthropic agenda in support of American art. The Executive Director will also understand and deepen public appreciation of the artistic legacy of Betsy Wyeth, whose role in artistic production and in creating natural and built environments to inspire creative work have made a major imprint on the Wyeths’ lasting contributions.

 

Position Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational management of the Foundation, ensuring that the Wyeth artistic legacy is preserved and mobilized effectively to benefit the public and that its grantmaking processes are carried out to optimize the impact of its mission. The Executive Director should have knowledge of Artist-Endowed Foundations and their practices and an understanding of how these are implemented most fruitfully and in alignment with the organization’s mission. Among the priorities for the new Executive Director will be to review the Foundation’s current grant practices and policies to assess their impact and efficacy and recommend improvements and adjustments in line with these findings. The Executive Director will work closely with the board and the Wyeth Foundation Curator to develop and execute strategies that align with the Foundation’s art stewardship mission, focusing on management of its collection, art conservation, scholarly and educational initiatives, and public engagement. This role requires a leader with a deep understanding and passion for the art world (and the work of the Wyeths in particular) and the ability to manage both the Foundation’s resources and its relationships with partner organizations, institutions, and the public.

The Executive Director will be charged with raising the visibility of WFAA and its work and therefore must understand and be comfortable utilizing digital, social, and traditional media and communication formats, as well as be knowledgeable about strategic resources available to advance the branding and marketing of cultural institutions. With direct responsibility for the financial and administrative management of the Foundation’s operations and programs, the Executive Director must have experience in finance, budgeting, and administration.

The Executive Director will work primarily in Chadds Ford, PA, but will need to be present in and engaged in both Pennsylvania and Maine.

 

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

  • Work with the board of trustees to refine the Foundation’s vision, goals, and priorities, with a particular focus on the field of American visual art. Lead the development and implementation of a longer-term strategic plan, ensuring alignment with its mission to preserve and increase public access to the Wyeths’ artistic legacy and to support the study, exhibition, conservation, and interpretation of American art, seeking wide public engagement.
  • Working in partnership with the Wyeth Foundation Curator, provide leadership in the creation and execution of programs and initiatives that employ the Foundation’s collections to enhance the public’s understanding and appreciation of the work of the Wyeth generations.

Programmatic Leadership

  • Support the Wyeth Foundation Curator and partnering organizations (with resources and related needs) in overseeing the conservation, cataloging, and exhibition of the Wyeths’ works in the Foundation’s collections, ensuring their proper care and public accessibility.
  • Develop and manage philanthropic programs and distribute grants that support the study and appreciation of American art, including fellowships, publications, exhibitions, archival and conservation projects, and educational and public programming initiatives. Evaluate, update and maintain the Foundation website that serves as its primary means of communication with the public.
  • Support the Wyeth curator in collaborating with museums, galleries, academic institutions, and other cultural organizations to create opportunities for exhibitions, publications, public programs, and research related to the Wyeths and the broader art community.

Financial Stewardship and Personnel Management

  • Oversee the Foundation’s fiscal management, including budgeting, investments, and financial reporting, with a focus on sustainability and transparency.
  • Work closely with the board’s finance committee to oversee the Foundation’s endowment, which is managed by an outside firm.
  • Provide effective and supportive leadership of the Foundation’s staff and operational partners.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy

  • With the Wyeth Foundation Curator, serve as the Foundation’s primary spokespersons and advocates.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with the Foundation’s board of trustees, officers, and key stakeholders in the art world, including artists, curators, collectors, educators and academic institutions.
  • Oversee the development of a communication strategy that enhances the Foundation’s visibility and its impact in the greater art community.

Board Relations

  • Provide the board of directors with timely and accurate information to support informed decision making.
  • Facilitate effective communication between the board and the Foundation’s supporting advisers, ensuring alignment on mission and strategic priorities.
  • Assist in the recruitment, orientation, and development of board members with expertise in American art, philanthropy, and nonprofit governance.

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Art History, Fine Arts, Management, or a related field is preferred.
  • Experience in an arts organization, museum, foundation, business, or similar entity.
  • Experience in management and planning.
  • Strong working knowledge of the art world, including Artist-Endowed Foundations, art collection stewardship, and philanthropy.
  • Familiarity with and appreciation for the work of Andrew Wyeth and the broader works and artistic legacy of the Wyeth family.

Compensation

Expected starting salary range is between $160,000 and $200,000, with annual performance reviews and performance-based salary increases. Medical and associated benefits included.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and any other relevant materials to hiringdirector@wyethfoundationforamericanart.org by April 21, 2025.