The Asheville Art Museum is currently searching for a Development Officer/Grantwriter and a Capital Campaign Coordinator. Please click here for more information.

Museum Shop Artist of the Month for August 2010: Spotted Dog Farm, Asheville, NC, Artisan Craft and Organic Flowers

Sumner Smith is the owner and operator of Spotted Dog Farm, and these lanterns and jewelry are the answer to one question: What happens when a corporate lawyer returns to her family farm, starts growing organic flowers and then wonders how to preserve their beauty once the growing season is over?

The process of figuring out how to showcase my pressed flowers was a long one, and resulted in my kitchen, dog and self being completely covered in beeswax. Ultimately, the fruits of my experimentation are these lanterns and jewelry that showcase the beauty of the organic flowers grown on our family farm in Asheville, North Carolina.

Beeswax is the perfect medium for these pieces. It is a renewable, all-natural resource with no additives or fillers, and has a high melting point. The sturdy lantern shells don't melt when lit from within by a tea light, and the jewelry stands up to everyday use inside its case of glass or resin.

--Sumner Smith, Owner + Operator, Spotted Dog Farm, Asheville, NC

Currently based out of Asheville, NC, Vaughan Anderson has been blowing glass full-time for over 12 years. He has drawn inspiration from all things land, sea and sky. Couple this with his love for celestial infinity and you find the building blocks for the form and structure that define his work today.

Vaughan's medium is borosilicate glass commonly known as Pyrex glass or hard class. This torch fired material is very resistant to scratching, scuffing, or breaking; it therefore lends itself well to durable and usable art. 

His intricate and unique designs are the result of years of experience and creative forethought. In his current works, his love and inspirations are brought to the front in his series showcasing the elements. Seamlessly transitioning from deep within the ocean to the far reaches of the universe, he "wants to provoke thought, provide inspiration, and a doorway into the imagination of the viewer," thus allowing them their own experience with each piece that he creates. Vaughan has shown his art at numerous music events, art shows and bead shows throughout the years. 

For more information about Vaughan Anderson and his works, visit www.glassworksonline.com

Joyce Cole is January's Museum Shop Artist of the Month

Cole says:

"Being born in New York City allowed me to be part of the 1960's art world. I was known for my paintings of large scale geometric shapes and grids. Over these forms, I employed a spray technique which created soft impressionistic overlays. At that time there were no other artists using my spray method with hard edge geometric grid forms. My paintings are shown in various galleries and Museums.

Presently I am continuing to use hard edge geometric shapes which are influenced by the Bauhaus and the Suprematists. In particular of interest to me are the artists Kandinsky and El Lissitsky.

To quote the art critic Peter Frank:

"Joyce Cole has always been, first and foremost, a Colorist. Irrespective of her mode of choice at any moment, no matter how severely abstract, gaily figurative or intricately between. Cole still employs a palette which glows like a pre-storm sunset - warm and iridescent - or like a blue streetlight at night - deep and tenebrous. Joyce Cole must have taste buds and hair follicles receptive to color to paint like this."

Dawn Dalto

"The need to work and create with my hands has been a life long driving force. As a child I learned needlework form my grandmothers. This skill later led to working with needlewoven beadwork. When introduced to clay in 2006, I merged the problem solving and attention to detail of these mediums into my work with clay. 

My ceramic work is primarily decorative rather than functional. Forms are mathematically configured with attention to their structure and use, both as individual objects and part of a larger grouping. I consider how the theme of each object will interact to form a family grouping with another.

My current work focuses on personal shrines. It is a visual exploration of my experience in living in different places and transporting my "stuff", both physical and mental, from one to the next. What do we hold dear? Why do we keep it? And who is responsible for the baggage? These are the questions that I think of as each new piece emerges."

Image credit: ceramics by Dawn Dalto; photo by Laurie Johnson

The Asheville Art Museum is proud to spotlight the Docents at the Museum! Docents volunteer their time to create inspiring and creative experiences for groups of all ages who come through the Museum. They give tours that help visitors learn about art, collecting, and the Asheville Art Museum. The Docents are continually learning more about art through trips to artist studios, art landmarks, and other artistic outings.

The Asheville Art Museum docents are one of the essential faces and voices of the Musuem in the community and the Museum thanks each of them for their inspiring energy, their strong dedication, and their rigourous passion for art, the Museum and Asheville.

To learn more about becoming a Docent, click here!

Image credit: Asheville Art Museum Docents 2009

Position Available~Development Officer/Grantwriter
Asheville Art Museum
2 S. Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801
www.ashevilleart.org

Title:  Development Officer/Grantwriter
Available:  March 1, 2010
Position Reports To:  Executive Director
Position is: Full Time

Position Description: 
The Development Officer/Grantwriter is responsible for the corporate, foundation and government fundraising efforts to maximize contributed income to support the Museum’s operations, exhibitions, educational programs and special events. The Development Officer/Grantwriter works closely with all staff and volunteers.

Primary Responsibilities / Essential Functions:
The primary responsibilities and essential functions of the job include:

• Write and direct all grant proposals and maintain relationships with government, corporate and foundation funding sources.
• Obtain and manage government grants including federal, state and local sources.
• Assist with development of annual fund appeals and acknowledgment.  
• Identify and acquire sponsorships from individuals and businesses for exhibitions and educational programs.
• Understand and communicate regarding the operating budget.
• Research and identify prospects for institutional support. 
• Gather broad anecdotal and statistical data and report qualitative and quantitative results. Work with staff to build and monitor budgets, and report on grant expenditures.
• Acquire sponsorship and participate in planning and implementation of special events including the Asheville Wine Auction & Gala Dinner, A Taste of Art & Wine, loft tours, etc.
• Assist the Executive Director with Board and Committees as required.
• Collaborate with Development staff to keep accurate donor records including profiles, gift records, acknowledgments and correspondence.
• Collaborate with Development staff to structure specific membership programs including corporate members, etc.
• Maintain a budget and records for the Development department. 
  
•  Interact with the arts community and civic bodies and donors as an advocate for the arts and the Museum.
• Travel to other locations by foot and/or by car is sometimes required. 
  
  
  Education and Experience and Skills: 
  Minimum of three to five years fundraising experience, significant success in grant writing and ability to work in fast paced environment. Minimum of an undergraduate degree is required. Knowledge and excellent ability to work with all typical computer programs is essential. The Development Officer/Grantwriter should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work collegially with donors, volunteers and staff. 
  
  Organization:
  The Asheville Art Museum is an active, inspiring organization located in the center of a vibrant city of approximately 70,000 in the beautiful Western North Carolina Mountains.  The Museum collects American Art beginning in the 20^th century, with a focus on art of significance to the Southeast.  The Museum’s facility will soon be doubling in size with a newly renovated and expanded contemporary building located in the center of Asheville. This growing organization, incorporated in 1948 by area artists, serves the Asheville urban area and is the only art museum serving the 23 counties that make up Western North Carolina (with a total population exceeding one million). Accredited by the AAM, the Museum has a full-time staff of 13 and a number of part-time and contract positions. The Museum is an equal opportunity employer. This is a full- time position with benefits. 
  
  Please send resumé, cover letter, references, salary history and several writing samples demonstrating successful grant writing to: Development Officer/Grantwriter Search, PO Box 1717, Asheville, NC 28802 or 2 South Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801 or e-mail to Development Officer/Grantwriter Search at rlynchmaass@ashevilleart.org. Equal opportunity employer.

Capital Campaign Coordinator

Asheville Art Museum

Located in the mountains of Western North Carolina, in Asheville, a renowned arts destination and thriving diverse city, the Asheville Art Museum is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit visual arts museum serving the 24 counties in the region. The Museum's mission is to engage, enlighten and inspire individuals and enrich community through dynamic experiences in American Art of the 20^th and 21^st centuries. The Museum is situated in the core of the vibrant downtown where it intends to build a new facility designed by Polshek Partnership Architects. The Capital Campaign Coordinator will work with the Museum staff and volunteer leadership to implement a successful capital campaign, concentrating on these areas of activity:

• Manage overall capital plan that includes the strategies, case for support, volunteer organization, systems and management structure for engaging community and raising major gifts for the campaign.
• Provide support for the Executive Director, staff, volunteer campaign leadership and Board of Trustees.
• Manage campaign reporting systems.
• Create and supply all campaign correspondence. Maintain donor files and background files.
• Develop and coordinate content, design and publication of campaign collateral materials and advise on campaign public relations and marketing.
• Identify and research prospects and produce government, individual, corporate and foundation grant proposals.
• Identify, research, manage and track campaign and major donor prospects.
• Help develop strategies for and assist with engagement and solicitation.
• Coordinate the creation and implementation of key campaign events, including cultivation events, anniversary celebrations, kickoff event and donor recognition events. Participate in Museum-wide event planning that advances the campaign.
• Oversee campaign stewardship and collaborate with staff on ongoing stewardship for museum members and donor prospects.

Key skills:

• Strategy - Create plans to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward each gift and each donor.
• Relationships - Support the positive relationships the Museum has with donors and friends. Help strengthen these relationships and develop new relationships. Be engaging in an honest, natural way.
• Coordination - Work closely with Executive Director and the Campaign volunteers to keep things moving forward. Be effective at gentle persuasion.
• Support - Facilitate the work of Executive Director and the volunteers so that they are confident and productive. Provide effective training and support for solicitation. The Campaign Coordinator will have a solicitation role with some prospects.
• Knowledge and research - Be skilled at finding out information about donors, prospects, their connections, their potential for giving, their interests, etc.
  
  

Required qualifications:

• 3-5 years development experience for non-profits, preferably arts-based
  

To apply, please send cover letter, resume, salary history, writing sample and three references to Asheville Art Museum, PO Box 1717, Asheville, NC 28802 or e-mail to rlynchmaass@ashevilleart.org. EOE.

Please do not call before you have sent your application. Application deadline is April 19, 2010.

Summer 2010 internships:

Communications & Public Relations

The Communication & Public Relations department expands public awareness of the Museum and aims to increases attendance and revenue. The Department produces the Museum’s media releases; circulates images for reproduction, places advertisements, produces newsletters and other promotional materials, organizes the annual gala/art auction, exhibition openings. Interns will assist in producing media and in coordinating special events.

Curatorial

The Curatorial Department researches and organizes upcoming exhibitions, including the development of timelines, checklists, and signage; produces exhibition catalogues; corresponds with artists, curators, galleries and museums. Interns will be introduced to issues relating to art history and will obtain administrative and curatorial skills in organizing art exhibitions.

Development

The Development department is responsible for all grants from government, foundation, and corporate sources; the membership program; contributions to the Museum; and the capital campaign for building and endowment needs. Interns will assist in researching prospective donors, program planning, membership events and grants writing.

Education

Education internships offer college art and art education students the opportunity to experience and develop skills in all aspects of arts education in a contemporary arts organization.

The Museum’s education staff will work closely with interns, mentoring such skills as interacting with groups of varying ages, assisting with exhibition/curriculum based art projects for various age groups, collaborating with our summer arts program teachers in the studio and more.

Requirements: Interns will be assisted by Education Department with administrative tasks and are expected to be involved with the stimulating and creative activities of our program. We are looking for congenial, energetic, highly motivated and creative individuals. Applicants should be familiar with a variety of art materials. Most importantly, you must have a positive enthusiastic attitude towards interacting with young people.

Museum Store & Visitor Services

The Museum Store complements the Museum's exhibition schedule by providing a stunning assortment of art related titles and objects for sale. Interns will gain experience in the day-to-day operations of a retail space, budgeting, visual merchandising, marketing, visitor services and special events.