Summary of Responsibilities

The IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico—the world’s leading museum of contemporary Indigenous arts—seeks an exceptional Museum Director to guide the museum into its next chapter of excellence. Reporting to the President of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), the Museum Director will provide executive leadership across all areas of museum operations: exhibitions, collections, programming, education, fundraising, strategic planning, and facilities. The Museum Director will sustain the museum’s financial health and ensure that MoCNA continues to serve as an authoritative voice in the field for local, national, and international audiences. The role is ideal for a forward-thinking, values-driven arts administrator who combines operational savvy with a deep expertise of Indigenous arts and culture.

Essential Position Functions

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Advance MoCNA‘s mission to elevate contemporary Native arts through exhibitions, collections, programs, partnerships, and research for local, national, and international audiences.
• Lead, support, and foster teamwork among 13+ staff organized across six departments: exhibitions, programs, education and membership, collections, facilities, and security.
• Develop and implement the museum’s strategic plan in collaboration with staff, students, alumni, museum constituents, and community members.
• Prepare and present quarterly reports to the IAIA Board of Trustees; serve on the museum board committee and participate in IAIA committees including the President’s Cabinet and hiring committees.
• Oversee MoCNA‘s American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accreditation 10-year review in 2030, building on the museum’s March 2020 accreditation.
• Represent MoCNA through guest lectures, public speeches, and national and international presentations on topics such as museum leadership and contemporary Native arts.

Budget & Fundraising

• Develop and administer an annual federal budget of $1.3M+, as well as state and foundation grants.
• Build and maintain relationships with federal, state, foundation, and individual donors; submit proposals to a wide range of funders to ensure the museum’s long-term financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with the IAIA President, Office of Institutional Advancement, and Office of Sponsored Projects to coordinate fundraising and donor cultivation.

Exhibitions & Collections

• Lead the curatorial team to produce progressive, nationally recognized exhibitions in contemporary Native arts.
• Ensure all exhibitions incorporate interactive and interpretive educational elements, including video, film, audio, text, digital interactives, and printed materials.
• Develop and implement museum policy and procedures for MoCNA’s 10,000+ piece collection of contemporary Native art, including the Collection Acquisition Plan and IAIA Public Art Policy.
• Oversee the acquisition, restoration, care, documentation, and exhibition of museum collections in collaboration with curatorial staff.
• Coordinate with the Museum Store manager to ensure that retail offerings reflect MoCNA’s mission to support and amplify the work of contemporary Native artists.

Programming & Education

• Lead and collaborate with staff to develop outreach programs for local, national, and international audiences.
• Plan and implement public, educational, and membership programs, including symposia, lectures, and seminars for students, alum, faculty, members, and the general public.
• Coordinate museum programming with academic departments to support the broader IAIA institutional mission.

Networks & Partnerships

• Maintain active, consistent, and mission-aligned social media presence to communicate art opportunities, programs, and exhibitions.
• Build and sustain relationships with museums, cultural centers, academic institutions, and partner organizations at local, national, and international levels.

Personnel Management

• Hire, supervise, and evaluate museum employees in accordance with museum and IAIA policies.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect within the museum and across the IAIA community.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree preferred in Museum Studies, Fine Arts, Arts Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive museum or comparable organizational management experience, or equivalent demonstrated expertise.
• Strong professional knowledge of contemporary Native American art and culture, with demonstrated familiarity and sensitivity to Native American issues and communities.
• Proven fundraising skills and experience as an effective organizational spokesperson.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to build and maintain positive, respectful relationships with local, regional, and national Native peoples, agencies, and organizations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to engage clearly and effectively with diverse audiences and stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate productively with faculty, students, and staff across institutional functions.
• Strong conflict resolution skills; ability to navigate complex situations constructively and diplomatically.
• Commitment to professional ethics, including confidentiality, integrity, and honesty in all institutional matters.
• Ability to maintain discretion when entrusted with sensitive information.
• Ability to work independently, initiate projects, and drive them to completion on a timely basis with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in relevant technology platforms and digital tools.
• Professional, courteous, and culturally responsive presence; adaptable to changing priorities and work environments.

Working Conditions

• Position is in-person, full-time, at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico.
• Occasional travel is required for meetings, conferences, and events, including use of institutional vehicle and air travel.
• Position may be required to perform other duties as requested by the President.
• A yearly performance evaluation will be assessed on program results as described herein.
• IAIA reserves the right to revise this job description at any time, with or without notice.
• The job description is not a contract for employment.

To Apply:

Submit a full Resume or CV and a Letter of Interest