Saint Joseph Symphony seeks Executive Director

Saint Joseph Symphony is seeking an Executive Director for the 60 member professional orchestra in its 100th year. SJS is highly rated by the Missouri Arts Council with a $250,000 budget, debt-free and moderately endowed. The Symphony annually presents a five concert subscription series in newly renovated historic Missouri Theater. Saint Joseph Symphony also presents three concerts for youth, Music in Schools programs, a Musical Petting Zoo, various festival performances and regional run-out concerts.
Essential elements of position:
• Administrative operating functions including budgeting/financial and office management
• Staff/volunteer management
• Concert production
• Contract negotiations
• Grant-writing
• Fund-raising (with board)
• Marketing of orchestra and advertising
Skills and Abilities:
• Possess strong interpersonal skills
• Oral and written communication skills
• Strong leadership ability
• Basic understanding of symphonic music
• Ability to work with Board, peers in arts community and volunteers

Education and Experience:

• BA/BS degree
• Experience in not-for-profit management
Preference will be given to candidate who commits to living in St. Joseph or the immediate vicinity. The salary is commensurate with experience. Please send resume, cover letter and three references to: Saint Joseph Symphony Executive Director Search Committee, 120 S. 8th Street, St. Joseph, Missouri 64501 OR e-mail materials to: jkgraves@stjoelive.com. See website: www.saintjosephsymphony.org. Deadline July 31, 2008.
 

ST. JOSEPH RECEIVED CREATIVE COMMUNITY AWARD

St. Joseph has been selected by the Missouri Arts Council to receive the 2008 Creative Community Arts Award. The award honors communities that use the arts to promote economic growth, tourism, business and/or resident attraction, or civic growth.  

St. Joseph has a strong arts community that contributes substantially to our economic development. A 2003 Arts & Economic Prosperity study by Americans for the Arts found the local non profit arts industry generates $8.3 million in local economic activity.

Allied Arts Council Executive Director Teresa Fankhauser is thrilled St. Joseph received this special recognition. “ St. Joseph is a unique community for its size. The multitude of artistic experiences available in St. Joseph is comparable to cities much larger than ours. Not only do the arts live in St. Joseph - they thrive here. This speaks well of our non profit arts agencies, they offer quality artistic experiences that the public appreciates. . The community shows its support by attending arts events and by contributing financially to the arts.”

Six communities vied for the award. The award will officially be presented in a ceremony at 2 p.m. on Feb. 13 at the Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City . In honor of the award the City will be presented 12 street signs proclaiming St. Joseph is a Creative Community. [ pdf version ]

THE ST. JOSEPH MUSEUMS, INC.

Hosts “Outstanding Women of Missouri” Exhibition

A Celebration of the Women who have

Shaped Missouri’s History

This Temporary Exhibit is on loan from the Missouri Women’s Council

April 10, 2008—In honor of National Women’s History Month, the Missouri Women’s Council has created an exhibit honoring Missouri women whose historic achievements have helped shape the Show Me State throughout history.  This historical display was originally unveiled in March at the Capital Rotunda Museum in Jefferson City.  The exhibit, “Outstanding Missouri Women,” is now a traveling exhibition, which will be coming to the St. Joseph Museums, Inc., 3406 Frederick Avenue, on April 22.  The exhibit features more than 50 Missouri women who have made a difference through their leadership, dedication, and courage.  It will be on loan to the St. Joseph Museums, Inc., through May 28. 

“Women have played an inspirational, influential, and instrumental role in shaping Missouri’s history,” said Mary Cottom, executive director of the Missouri Women’s Council. “We are proud to honor the pioneering women whose contributions have enhanced the quality of life in Missouri and opened new doors of opportunity for today’s women.”

As recently as the 1970s women’s history was virtually an unknown topic to the general public. To address this situation, the Education Taskforce of Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978.

In 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to expand the national celebration to the entire month of March. Since then, the National Women’s History Month Resolution has been approved with bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. Each year, programs and activities in schools, workplaces, and communities have become more extensive as information and program ideas have been developed and shared.

The Missouri Women’s Council works closely with other agencies and community based organizations to promote the well being of women in Missouri. Located within the Department of Economic Development, the Council was created by statute in 1985 to identify and address issues affecting the economic and employment status of Missouri women. The Missouri Women’s Council has 15 members, including two members of the Senate, two from the House, and 11 appointed by the governor.  The “Outstanding Missouri Women” exhibition is just one of many Missouri Women’s Council projects.

 “We are honored to be hosting this exhibition,” said St. Joseph Museums, Inc., Executive Director Jacqueline Lewin.  “I’m sure learning about the achievements of Missouri women will inspire visitors of all ages.” 

“Outstanding Women of Missouri” will be available for viewing at the St. Joseph Museum, 3406 Frederick Avenue, at no extra charge during the regular museum hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Regular admission is $3.50 for adults and $1.50 for students.  Admission is free for children under six and museum members.  Admission also includes the Glore Psychiatric Museum and the Black Archives Museum, all of which are located at 3406 Frederick Avenue.  For more information, please call 816.232.8471.