The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) is a contemporary art museum, with an internationally-acclaimed Artists-in-Residence (AIR) program, located in Center City, Philadelphia. Founded in 1977, FWM encourages artists at all stages of their careers to experiment with new materials and new media in a veritable living laboratory. FWM is easily accessible via public transit and is steps from Reading Terminal Market and blocks from Chinatown and historic City Hall.
The Fabric Workshop and Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. FWM’s culture embraces diversity within the workplace, and outside, and welcomes all candidates to apply, without fear of discrimination.
To apply for a job opportunity at The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM), please follow the instructions for your desired open position listed below. For all general inquiries, email opportunities@fabricworkshopandmuseum.org.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Offers of employment are contingent upon the return of a satisfactory background check.
For information regarding applying for an apprenticeship, please visit the pages for High School Apprentice Training and College and Postgraduate Apprentice Training Programs.
Employment Opportunities
Executive Director
THE SEARCH
The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) seeks a leader with entrepreneurial and creative drive to serve as their Executive Director (ED). For over 45 years, FWM has been recognized as a groundbreaking space for contemporary artists to challenge their own craft and create inspiring works of contemporary art. The next ED will be a passionate advocate for FWM’s pioneering vision, further connecting FWM’s spirit of artistic investigation and discovery to an eager audience, broadening access, and advancing FWM’s role as a catalyst and champion for innovation.
Founded in 1977 by Marion “Kippy” Boulton Stroud (1939-2015), FWM presents ambitious exhibitions which convey a story of contemporary art that unites process with finished works. FWM originally invited artists to experiment with fabric, and later with a wide range of innovative materials and media. From the outset, FWM has served as an education center for local young people who, as printing apprentices, learned technical and vocational skills along with approaches to creative expression. Today, FWM is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art museum, working in collaboration with artists coming from diverse artistic backgrounds and media including sculpture, installation, video, painting, photography, ceramics, and architecture. Research, construction, and fabrication occur on site in studios providing visitors with the opportunity to see artwork from conception to completion.
The next Executive Director will guide FWM to the next chapter in its story, taking advantage of an opportunity to enhance the influence and elevate the visibility of this consequential and singular arts organization. The ED will be a purposeful and forward-looking leader with a passion for experimental contemporary art. The successful candidate will understand the strategic issues facing arts and culture organizations and will have the foresight necessary to navigate the future of the field. The ED will lead and publicly represent a dynamic and influential institution grounded in collaboration and innovation. They will prioritize effective administration and work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, and key stakeholders to oversee artistic and educational programs, strategic goal-setting, financial and budgetary planning, fundraising and development efforts, and marketing and communications. As the organization’s leading voice and guardian, the ED will continue to build FWM’s prominence as a preeminent arts organization within Philadelphia and beyond.
The Fabric Workshop and Museum has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist with this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence to the firm as indicated at the end of this document.
THE ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director serves as the primary face and voice of FWM and works with the Board, staff, and other stakeholders to set the vision for its future. They will cultivate partnerships and funder relationships with other arts organizations, business and civic leaders, as well as provide leadership and management to staff, supporting active collaboration and high standards of performance to serve the overarching mission of FWM. The ED will be a charismatic leader that inspires collegiality and collaboration in achieving a shared vision. The ED will bring rigorous business and operational discipline to the organization, ensuring that FWM continues to build its financial health and sustainability, and leading a dedicated team of 6 direct reports and a total staff of 25. The ED will be a creative force aware of best practices and innovations in contemporary arts, drawing on that knowledge to ensure that FWM remains at the forefront of its field.
KEY OPPORTUNITIES + CHALLENGES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FWM’s Executive Director will address a set of consequential opportunities and challenges that include, but are not limited to:
- Implement and expand the strategic plan, refining the artistic and educational mission in a way that honors the founder’s legacy while also positioning FWM for a vibrant and influential future.
- Demonstrate strong business acumen and the ability to steward financial resources effectively and build a sturdy financial foundation for the future.
- Determine and build the organizational infrastructure necessary for FWM to excel.
- Elevate and expand the reputation and influence of FWM within the dynamic and diverse Philadelphia contemporary arts community.
QUALIFICATIONS + CHARACTERISTICS
The Executive Director role calls for an ambitious and forward-looking organizational leader with the drive to develop FWM institutionally, with an eye toward preserving its legacy and building a vibrant future in the contemporary art landscape. Rooted in a passion for contemporary art and artists, they will be a persuasive communicator with a record of successful partnerships across diverse constituencies, proven experience executing strategic plans with fiscal responsibility, and a natural zeal for building meaningful cultural partnerships.
While no single candidate will bring all of the desired qualifications, the successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and qualities:
- A track record of successful leadership of an enterprise undertaking profound organizational change, with the ability to grasp exhilarating opportunity, while managing risk and uncertainty;
- Deep engagement in and connections to the contemporary art world; able to leverage relationships with artists, donors, and other leaders in the art world for FWM’s benefit;
- The ability to articulate and communicate a vision to widely varying constituencies;
- Solid fundraising experience with the ability to cultivate relationships and to close contributions from all revenue sources;
- Strong business acumen and experience managing organizational finances;
- Demonstrated experience aligning organizational mission, vision, and strategy with operational priorities in moments of complex decision-making;
- A proven commitment and track record in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility;
- Success building an organization’s visibility and reputation locally, nationally, and internationally;
- Excellent management and interpersonal skills and experience leading staff in ways that emphasize teamwork and growth;
- A track record of working with a board of directors, with the ability to deepen the partnership among board members and between board and staff, as well as partnering with the board in board development;
- Demonstrated success working in Philadelphia, or the ability to translate one’s experience to the city’s unique arts and culture nonprofit landscape;
- Experience in large-scale project management including building or capital improvement projects is a plus.
FULL PROFILE
For full details about The Fabric Workshop and Museum and the Executive Director position, please download this profile.
TO APPLY
Confidential inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications should be sent electronically to the following:
Lisa Savereid (she/her), Partner | Search Co-Lead
Ryan Leichenauer (he/him), Managing Associate | Search Co-Lead
Miguel Santiago (he/him), Senior Associate
Christina Errico (she/her), Senior Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller
FWM’S COMMITMENT
The Fabric Workshop and Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. FWM’s culture embraces diversity within the workplace, and outside, and welcomes all candidates to apply, without fear of discrimination.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Offers of employment are contingent upon the return of a satisfactory background check.
Internships
The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) seeks students with an interest in Philadelphia’s arts and cultural community. Our interns are high school and college students who are interested in first-hand experience in the programming and administration of a contemporary art museum and collaborative workshop. Under the supervision of a staff member, interns assist with regular departmental activities and specific programmatic activities as assigned.
To support more equitable opportunities in the museum field, FWM offers only paid internships via designated funding from grants or an intern’s school.
Paid Internship Opportunities
Community Arts Intern
The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) will have two exhibitions this summer that require a new approach to public programming and tours. The exhibitions Risa Puno: Group Hug and John Jarboe: The Rose Garden are immersive installations in which the public will actively listen, play, explore, and participate. During this season, FWM will be offering less guided exhibition tours and more workshops and events with a focus on gaming and performance. The Community Programs Intern (CPI) will actively shape and participate in all aspects of FWM’s summer public programs, which will bring new opportunities to connect with teachers, families, networks of care, and trans communities in Philadelphia.
This position will be responsible for:
- research into current exhibitions and institutional history
- outreach and data collection
- experimentation with materials
- learning new skills
- assisting in all workshops and events
The CPI will acquire valuable experience in:
- community engagement
- shaping and implementing workshops and programs
- arts administration strategies
- new artmaking processes
- teaching skills
The Community Programs Intern will work 28 hours a week with occasional evening and weekend programs. The CPI should be curious, open minded, flexible, hardworking, creative, and resourceful. They should have prior experience working with the public and a sincere dedication to art education. They should possess good communication skills and a deep interest in contemporary art and ideas.
Compensation
- $20.00 per hour
Schedule
Interns will work 28 hours per week. One day per week, they will attend a mandatory offsite program day with their cohort.
- Internship Period: June 5–August 7
- Total Weeks: 9 weeks
- Work Hours per Week: 28
- Total Hours: 252
- Workdays: 4 days per week
- Program Days: 1 day per week (Wednesdays)*
*Program Day hours are separate from the internship hours.
Eligibility Application Process
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To apply for an Arts Intern position, fill out the eligibility application form for Arts Intern Summer 2024.
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Your application will be reviewed by Arts Intern staff. If approved, Studio Institute (which is supporting and placing this position) will send you an email confirming your eligibility and advise you of next steps in the application process.
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Once you have been verified as eligible for Arts Intern, you can apply to as many positions as you’d like. You do not have to submit the eligibility application more than once.
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Please email general inquiries to opportunities@fabricworkshopandmuseum.org.