Executive Director

The Association for Cultural Equity (ACE) seeks an Executive Director to act as visionary leader for our organization, which is committed to preserving the world’s expressive traditions through sustaining cultural heritage practices, research, dissemination and reconnecting communities with their cultural heritage. This is a hands-on working position.

About the Association for Cultural Equity

ACE is a living archive whose collections serve communities, endangered cultures, emerging cultural leaders, students and teachers at all levels, and the scientific community. The Global Jukebox features thousands of recordings from throughout the world accompanied by rich contextualization, and Journeys that enable visitors to explore a tradition across multiple cultures. Our digital platforms also include the Lomax Digital Archive and a YouTube channel of Alan Lomax’s video collections, which have had over 31 million views. ACE’s Repatriation Initiative returns copies of documentation to communities in the US, Caribbean and Europe (over 60 to date), with learning programs and activities to regenerate traditions developed in collaboration with the descendants of those recorded and these source communities. The Emerging Leaders Initiative trains cultural leaders in documentation practices and creates collaborative educational programs. We provide many supportive services to artists and community-based organizations, and we collaborate with scholars to carry out comparative studies of music and dance. ACE produces feature stories for Google Arts and Culture and presents programming in association with Caribbean and other communities in New York City. ACE’s partners include community cultural organizations, archives, libraries and academic institutions in the US, Europe and the Caribbean.

Responsibilities of the Executive Director

• Lead staff and board in strategic thinking around short and long term organizational vision, messaging and growth
• Implement, expand and improve ACE’s programs and ensure their effectiveness and excellence in the US and internationally
• Lead fundraising and development initiatives, including applications to public and private funding sources, with support from staff, board, and consultants
• Create the organizational budget, working with the bookkeeper and accountant to ensure financial stability and prudent expenditures
• Plan communication efforts in support of visibility, public education and recognition
• Actively maintain existing relationships and build new collaborations with funders, consultants, artists, organizational partners and scholars
• Represent ACE at professional convenings
• Oversee day-to-day administrative operations, ensuring organizational systems and workflows run smoothly
• Oversee and evaluate the work of staff and consultants; recruit and mentor new staff and interns
• Report to Board of Directors, providing ongoing communication about significant organizational, programmatic and financial developments along with monthly written reports of activities

Desired Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of and passion for American and world traditional music and dance is essential
• Experience in public folklore, ethnomusicology, and/or cultural programming
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and grant writing
• Administrative, governance, supervisory and management experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for multiple audiences
• Experience organizing and executing in-person and virtual public programs
• Graduate degree (MA or PhD) in Folklore, Ethnomusicology, Anthropology, or a related field is preferred
• Must be based in the New York metropolitan area
• Self-directed, highly motivated, and able to work collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues in both remote and small office environments
• Ability to think productively and creatively
• Ability to work successfully with folk artists, community members, funders, academic and public sector colleagues, other organizations, and government agencies

This position is currently fully remote, with potential transition to office/hybrid. In-person attendance is expected for local NY events and partner/collaborator meetings. Possibility of US and international travel for repatriation events.

• Generous vacation and holiday policy
• Paid conditional leave (parental bonding, bereavement, jury duty)
• Employer contribution toward medical insurance
• Employer contribution to SIMPLE IRA