Director of Exhibitions

Description:

Position Title: Director of Exhibitions

Reports to: Senior Vice President

Status: Exempt, Full Time

Supervises: Administrative and Curatorial Assistant, Curator of Education, Exhibition Tours Manager, Fabrication and Preparation Manager, and Registrar

Location: Hybrid worker located in the Kansas City Metro

As a member of the senior management team, you provide leadership for Exhibitions staff and contracted partners. You are responsible for the strategic planning, budgeting, implementation, and evaluation of all division programs, ensuring alignment with M-AAA’s mission and priorities. You oversee a diverse portfolio, including ExhibitsUSA, special projects, Culture Lab, and building-based programming, as well as other programs assigned by the Senior Vice President. You foster a collaborative, collegial work environment across departments and represent M-AAA externally with professionalism and credibility, serving as an ambassador to strengthen partnerships and expand the visibility and impact of Exhibitions programming.

You Will:

• Lead the Exhibitions division, setting direction and understanding of M-AAA’s mission, values, and strategic goals.
• Direct the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all division programs.
• Manage and support division staff and contracted partners, including hiring, performance management, and team coordination across projects and timelines.
• Develop division budgets, monitor financial performance, and ensure programs are financially sustainable through a mix of earned and contributed revenue.
• Build relationships with artists, venues, vendors, and partners, including negotiating and overseeing contracts.
• Work with marketing, development, finance, and other divisions to support program success, communications, and fundraising.
• Be a member of the senior management team, support board and committee engagement, and contribute to organizational planning and field-wide programs.
• Oversee the research, selection, development, marketing, delivery, and evaluation of all exhibitions and special projects for ExhibitsUSA, special projects, the Culture Lab, and any other divisional programs. Identify responsive program formats, partnerships, and production approaches that align with the evolving needs and financial capacity of participating venues.

Requirements:

You Have:

• Bachelor's degree, master's preferred in arts administration, humanities, museum studies, nonprofit management, or a related field
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in arts or humanities programming, exhibitions, or cultural administration
• Experience in developing and managing complex, multi-site, or travel programs.
• Experience leading staff, contractors, and teams.
• Financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and revenue/expense oversight
• Organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Experience contributing to or supporting fundraising efforts, including grant writing, sponsorship development, or partnership cultivation
• Ability to represent programs externally with funders, partners, and stakeholders

Working Conditions:

You will spend most of your time working at a desk, using a computer, phone, and standard office tools. This is a hybrid position, requiring a combination of in-office and remote work. We require occasional travel to visit partner sites, assess exhibition needs, build relationships, and attend meetings, conferences, and events. Your role will involve reading, writing, research, and evaluation. While guided by long-term planning, you'll need to stay flexible as priorities shift, manage short-term deadlines, and occasionally work additional hours.

Our Benefits:

• Comprehensive health care coverage
• Voluntary Dental and Vision insurance
• Paid Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Life Insurance
• Paid holiday leave including 10 holidays, 2 personal days, Summer Break (week of July 4th), Winter Break (December 24-January 1), and 40 hours of paid Volunteer PTO
• Paid vacation, sick, and parental leave
• 401K plan after a year of employment

About Mid-America Arts Alliance: Mid-America Arts Alliance is headquartered in the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City, Missouri. M-AAA brings more art to more people in communities throughout our six-state region (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas) and the nation. With an annual operating budget of over $9 million and 45 staff members, we produce and manage more than 450 exhibitions, performances, and professional development opportunities in more than 300 communities for more than one million people annually.

Mid-America Arts Alliance is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible application process for all individuals. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in any stage of the hiring process due to a disability, please contact Angelette Sevart at hr@maaa.org to discuss your needs.

Application Process:

Applications should be submitted online and will be accepted through June 30, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and selected applicants may be invited to participate in an initial Zoom interview prior to the application deadline. We anticipate extending an offer in mid-September, with the official start date in Kansas City scheduled for November 1, 2026.