Organizer Information
Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) is a major nonprofit arts organization headquartered in the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City, Missouri. It operates across a six-state region—including Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas—delivering exhibitions, performances, and professional development programs to more than one million people annually.
With an annual operating budget exceeding $9 million and a multidisciplinary team of approximately 45 staff members, M-AAA plays a central role in expanding access to contemporary Art, strengthening regional cultural infrastructure, and supporting touring exhibition systems such as ExhibitsUSA. The organization is committed to equitable access, diversity, and inclusion across all programming and employment practices.
Title & Description
Director of Exhibitions – Leadership Role in Arts Programming and Exhibition Strategy
This full-time senior leadership position appoints a Director of Exhibitions responsible for overseeing the strategic, operational, and financial direction of M-AAA’s exhibitions division. The role sits within the senior management team and provides leadership across a wide portfolio of programs, including ExhibitsUSA, Culture Lab, special projects, and other institutional initiatives.
The Director will guide the conceptual and operational development of national-scale Exhibitions, ensuring alignment with M-AAA’s mission while expanding the reach and impact of its cultural programming. This includes oversight of multi-site exhibition tours, collaborative partnerships, curatorial planning, and audience engagement strategies.
The position requires both strategic leadership and hands-on management, combining institutional vision with practical oversight of staff, budgets, and program delivery systems.
The Role Overview
- Position Title: Director of Exhibitions
- Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
- Salary: $105,000 – $120,000 annually (starting range)
- Contract Type: Permanent employment
- Reports to: Senior Vice President
- Supervises: Administrative and Curatorial Assistant, Curator of Education, Exhibition Tours Manager, Fabrication and Preparation Manager, Registrar
- Location: Hybrid (Kansas City Metro, United States)
- Organizational Level: Senior Management Team
The role includes organizational leadership responsibilities, external representation, and cross-departmental collaboration across finance, marketing, development, and production teams.
Position & Tasks
- Leading the strategic planning and execution of all Exhibitions programming
- Overseeing program development, implementation, and evaluation across multiple initiatives
- Managing staff, contractors, and external partners, including recruitment and performance oversight
- Designing and managing division budgets and ensuring financial sustainability through earned and contributed revenue
- Developing partnerships with artists, venues, vendors, and cultural institutions
- Negotiating contracts and managing production logistics for touring and site-based exhibitions
- Collaborating with internal departments including marketing, development, and finance
- Supporting fundraising efforts, including grants, sponsorships, and partnership cultivation
- Representing M-AAA externally at conferences, partner meetings, and sector events
- Contributing to institutional planning and board-level engagement
- Overseeing the full lifecycle of exhibitions: research, selection, production, delivery, marketing, and evaluation
Categories
- Curatorial
- Exhibitions
- Art Management
- Visual Arts
- Museum Studies
- Cultural Administration
- Leadership / Arts Administration
- Interdisciplinary Arts
Eligibility
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in arts administration, museum studies, humanities, nonprofit management, or related field
- Minimum 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in cultural programming or exhibitions
- Experience managing complex, multi-site, or touring Exhibitions programs
- Proven ability to lead teams, staff, and contracted collaborators
- Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting
- Experience in fundraising, grant writing, or partnership development
- Ability to represent cultural programs externally to stakeholders and funders
- Strong organizational, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills
- Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States (Kansas City-based hybrid role)
Program Benefits
- Competitive annual salary ($105,000–$120,000)
- Comprehensive health insurance coverage
- Dental and vision insurance options
- Paid life insurance, disability coverage, and AD&D insurance
- Generous paid leave, including holidays, personal days, summer and winter breaks
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
- 401(k) retirement plan (after one year of employment)
- Opportunity to lead a nationally significant Exhibitions portfolio
- Senior leadership role within a major U.S. arts institution
- Cross-regional impact across six U.S. states
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Professional CV/resume
- Cover letter outlining leadership experience in Exhibitions or cultural programming
- Evidence of budget management and program leadership experience
- References (as requested during hiring stages)
- Portfolio or documentation of relevant institutional or curatorial work (if applicable)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2026
- Final Hiring Decision: Mid-September 2026
- Start Date: 1 November 2026
Location
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Additional Details
This is a senior executive-level position requiring frequent coordination with internal departments and external cultural partners across the United States. The role includes occasional travel to partner sites, exhibitions, conferences, and institutional meetings.
The Director must balance long-term strategic planning with adaptive short-term operational management, ensuring smooth delivery of a large-scale touring Exhibitions program portfolio.
Mid-America Arts Alliance is committed to equitable hiring practices and inclusive workplace environments. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process are encouraged to contact the organization directly.