Executive Director, Center Art & Design

Position: Executive Director, Center for Art & Design

Executive Director, Center for Art & Design Learning

Maine College of Art & Design | Portland, Maine

About the Center

Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) is creating a new Center for Art & Design Learning that will serve as Downtown Portland's cultural nexus. The Center is designed to expand access to creative education for a broad array of learners seeking to deepen their knowledge, develop new skills, and engage more fully with Maine's creative community. Through innovative in-person and virtual programs, community partnerships, and interdisciplinary collaborations, the Center will support creative professionals and lifelong learners with graduate degree and certificate programs that enable them to advance their careers in today's evolving creative economy.

The Center will also foster community by providing welcoming spaces for connection, collaboration, and exploration across traditional and emerging art and design disciplines. Dedicated spaces for the College's established Continuing Studies and Artists at Work programs will strengthen MECA&D's innovative facilities and expand opportunities for a diverse educational community, reinforcing the College's role as a creative and cultural anchor in Portland and beyond.

Position Summary The College seeks a creative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the inaugural Executive Director of the Center for Art & Design Learning. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership for the Center, guiding its programs, partnerships, operations, and financial sustainability. Working across the College and throughout the broader community, this position will cultivate an environment that fosters artistic exploration, professional growth, and meaningful connection.

The Executive Director will play a key role in building and scaling new revenue-generating programs and external partnerships that expand the College’s reach and impact. In close collaboration with Advancement, Academic Affairs, Marketing, and other College departments, the role will help shape a cohesive ecosystem of lifelong learning opportunities that align with institutional priorities and respond to the needs of today’s students and professionals.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement the Center's strategic vision to create impactful educational, cultural, and community programming. Oversee the Center’s programs, including Pre-College and Continuing & Professional Studies, while collaborating closely with institutional leadership to amplify the reach of MECA&D’s signature Artists at Work program, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and graduate and online learning opportunities.

Collaborate across the College to design new programs that serve youth, adults, career changers, and lifelong learners. Build partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders to develop initiatives that support the growth of Portland's creative community and industry in Maine. Partner with the Advancement Office and College leadership to cultivate donors, secure grants, and steward funder relationships in support of the Center.

Oversee the Center's budget and revenue generation strategies. Manage the Center’s operations and venue to ensure vibrant, welcoming, and well-utilized spaces.

Qualifications, Experience, Skills & Abilities

Bachelor's degree in arts administration, higher education administration, nonprofit management, business administration, education, or a related field required; master's degree in arts administration, education, business, nonprofit leadership, or a related discipline preferred.

Ten-plus years of progressively responsible leadership experience in arts administration, continuing and professional education, higher education, nonprofit leadership, cultural programming, workforce development, or a related field.

Demonstrated success developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative educational, community, or cultural programs.

Experience leading organizational growth through strategic planning, program development, organizational change, and continuous improvement.

Proven ability to launch, grow, or transform programs or initiatives…