PORT TOWNSEND — Northwind Art, a nonprofit visual arts organization with deep roots in Port Townsend, is hiring a new executive director to guide its downtown gallery spaces and the Northwind Art School at Fort Worden.
Teresa Verraes, executive director and cofounder of Northwind Art, resigned Dec. 15 to take a breather from full-time work. She was the founding executive director of the Port Townsend School of the Arts six years ago, and shepherded that organization through its 2021 merger with the Northwind Arts Center.
Today, Northwind Art operates Jeanette Best Gallery, which houses two large exhibit spaces in the 1885 Waterman & Katz building at 701 Water St., and Northwind Art School, in Buildings 306 and 324 at Fort Worden State Park. The gallery presents seven to nine art exhibitions per year, along with artist talks and other events. The school offers more than 120 courses, open studios and workshops annually, for youth and adults.
“Northwind Art’s mission is to build community through art, to cultivate creativity and to support artists’ growth,” said communications manager Diane Urbani.
“This aligns with our vision of an art-rich community and a vibrant quality of life for everyone,” she added.
Northwind Art’s executive director must have a demonstrated appreciation of the visual arts and nonprofit experience including budgeting, fundraising and staff leadership, said Linda Rosenbury, president of Northwind’s board of directors.
Comfort with databases, websites and systems management is important as well, Rosenbury said.
The new leader must Inspire and empower the staff; support Northwind Art’s mission, vision and goals and inspire the same in others; foster strong relationships with donors, board, and partner organizations.
The executive director’s priorities will include implementing a three- to-five-year financial plan, balancing earned and contributed income, Rosenbury noted. Recruiting volunteers and investing in a healthy organizational culture are also part of the job. The new director will work on completing the renovations at Fort Worden, toward full utilization of Northwind’s buildings there.
Northwind Art is recognized as a leader in the arts community and collaborates with other creative nonprofits in Jefferson County, Rosenbury said. The executive director will be expected to nurture and grow those connections. The ED is also responsible for cultivating relationships with the Olympic Peninsula’s tribes.
The ED reports to the board of directors and supervises all Northwind Art staff members. The position’s salary range is $70,000 to $88,000, depending on experience.
More information about the organization can be found at https://northwind art.org. To inquire about the ED position and to submit a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references, email EDsearch@northwindart.org.
“We expect to begin initial interviews via Zoom by late February,” Urbani said.
Once finalists are selected, they will be invited to an in-person interview process that will include meeting key stakeholders and touring the community and Northwind’s galleries and school, she added.
