Description

The Speed Art Museum (the Speed) is one of the preeminent art institutions in the country. Housing Kentucky’s only encyclopedic collection, the Museum has played a decisive role in preserving and advancing great art for nearly 100 years. As Kentucky’s oldest, largest, and most distinguished art museum, the Speed has been a cultural anchor for Louisville and the region since 1927. Committed to access, representation, and meaningful community connection, the Speed creates dynamic art experiences that spark curiosity and foster dialogue. With 2027 marking the Speed’s Centennial year, the Museum has made an indelible imprint on the lives of the communities it serves, and more broadly within the State of Kentucky and nationally. The Speed is poised for a new chapter in its history.

The Speed’s collection of around 15,000 objects is substantial and enviable for an institution of its size, and the Museum enjoys a considerable reputation in the region. The Speed’s location on the University of Louisville campus ensures opportunities for collaboration and a robust student audience. In fall 2025, the Speed unveiled a new, three-acre sculpture-filled Art Park that is free for all and situates the Speed as a central gathering space on campus, and within the City of Louisville. 

The Speed employs nearly 100 staff, with an annual budget of approximately $8.5 million, a general endowment of more than $56 million, and an acquisitions endowment of approximately $17 million.

Opportunities and Challenges

Throughout its history, the Speed has made substantial artistic, programmatic, and institutional advances. The Museum has also experienced post-COVID financial and staffing challenges similar to those across the museum field. These conditions present an opportunity to rethink the Speed’s position in a changing social, cultural, and economic landscape.

The next Director will be responsible for advancing a compelling long-term vision while ensuring that the Museum’s resources, structure, and priorities are aligned to support it. In the near term, this includes strengthening financial sustainability, reinforcing organizational alignment, and establishing clear priorities that support both mission and capacity.

• The Speed has a strong patron base, especially among those who care deeply about the Museum and give generously. As wealth transitions occur, the giving patterns of these families may not have the same affinity for the Museum. In this climate, the next Director will be called on to expand and diversify the base of support.
• In recent years, the Speed has engaged in a long-term evolution of its mission, expanding from a traditional focus on preservation and scholarship to include more public- and engagement-centered programming. The next Director – in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and senior leadership – will need to establish a productive balance between ambition, audience engagement, and available resources.
• Following a period of staffing changes and organizational transition, there is an opportunity to strengthen institutional culture, rebuild trust across departments, and reinforce a shared sense of purpose and accountability.
• Louisville is a growing, vibrant city with a strong arts and cultural sector. The next Director will play an active civic role, investing in the community as a full-time resident and as a visible and engaged cultural leader.

Art institutions – and museums in particular – stand at a crossroads between purpose and relevance. The next Director of the Speed will be called upon to lead with clarity, judgment, and confidence in shaping the Museum’s future role and impact.

The Role of the Director

The Director is the chief executive of the Museum, overseeing the entire institution – finance and administration, fundraising, collections, staff, facilities, exhibitions, research, education and community engagement programs, and external affairs. The Director collaborates and reports to the Board of Trustees, and works in close partnership with the Board and senior curatorial, administrative, and development staff to advance the Museum’s mission, with clear alignment on roles, priorities, and decision-making responsibilities.

The Director serves as the Speed’s principal fundraiser, and forges external partnerships and collaborations throughout the city, state, nation, and internationally. The Director is the Speed’s primary spokesperson and advocate – locally, regionally, and within the national and global cultural network.

Responsibilities

Executive Leadership

•         Create a long-term vision for the Museum, along with annual operating plans; 
•         With Board of Trustees and senior leadership staff, develop and execute long-term strategic plan; 
•         Commitment to museum best practices and industry standards;
•         Achieve the Museum’s accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums;
•         Serve as non-voting Ex officio Trustee and primary staff liaison for the Board of Trustees and its standing committees.
•         Establish clarity of roles, decision-making authority, and cross-departmental alignment to ensure effective organizational performance

 Administrative/Financial/Operations

•         Oversee the preparation and management of the Museum’s revenue plans, forecasts, budget, audit, endowment, and financial reports;
•         With Board of Trustees leadership, establish performance criteria and metrics for what constitutes success;
•         Partner with senior leadership staff and the Board Finance Committee to prepare and present the annual operating budget plan to the Board of Trustees for approval each year, and ensure that institutional plan is implemented and maintained; 
•         Supervise day-to-day finance and administrative operations;
•         Implement institutional policies and processes, ensuring effective internal controls and systems, quantitative and qualitative documentation, and evaluation of programs;
•         Recruit, and oversee hiring and onboarding of senior curatorial, administrative, and development staff;
•         Strengthen internal communication, coordination, and accountability across departments
•         Oversee and steward the care and improvement of the Museum’s facilities and surrounding campus, including capital upgrades and essential maintenance;
•         Work collectively with Board of Trustees and senior leadership staff in planning to ensure sustainability and operational effectiveness of Museum’s facilities.

Development

•         Serve as chief fundraiser, with immediate focus on strengthening support for operations and building confidence among donors and stakeholders;
•         Ensure development program integrates with the Museum’s mission and operations; 
•         Align development, finance, and leadership staff and functions; 
•         Evaluate, rebuild, and expand the Museum’s major donor base;   
•         Establish relationships with new and existing donors and institutions;
•         Steward relationships with legacy donors and their families for generational continuity; 
•         Cultivate major foundations, businesses, and government partners.

External and Community Affairs

•         Elevate the Museum’s local, national, and global profile and presence within the broader museum field; 
•         Represent the Speed at city, state, and regional events and forums; 
•         Oversee the preparation of all museum publications and communications;
•         Participate in national conferences, meetings, and forums;
•         Provide interviews for print publications and the media.

Curatorial, Programmatic, and Audience Strategy

•         Provide strategic leadership across curatorial, exhibition, education, and public programming functions, ensuring alignment with the Museum’s mission, audience, and resources
•         Partner with curatorial and program leadership to define priorities, balance ambition with capacity, and support innovation and collaboration
•         Ensure that exhibitions, public programs, and community engagement efforts are integrated and contribute to audience growth and institutional relevance.

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this position is approximately $275,000 to $315,000, commensurate with experience. A competitive benefits package will be provided.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The Speed Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and seek a Director who will contribute to a culture of trust, collaboration, and belonging across the organization and the community it serves.

Warren Whitney has been retained for this search. Interested candidates are invited to submit application materials to: Meredith Handakas using mhandakas@warrenwhitney.com or apply at https://warrenwhitney.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1745566. Please include a resume, cover letter, and three references.

All inquiries will be considered strictly confidential.

Requirements

Demonstrated Skills, Accomplishments, and Experience

•         Experience in a senior-level museum position;
•         Experience leading, serving, and working with a governing Board; 
•         Experience leading organizations through periods of transition, including culture-building, organizational alignment, and operational stabilization
•         Track record of managing balanced budgets and institutional financial strategy;
•         Ability to identify, attract, retain, and motivate top talent;
•         Success in securing major gifts from individual donors;
•         Proven record of increasing earned and contributed income;
•         Capacity to create and foster a culture of collaboration among board and staff members;
•         History of community engagement.

Profile

•         A collaborative, charismatic, and steady leader who is comfortable navigating complexity and leading through change; 
•         Advocates for the arts, and brings a personal connection to the arts and culture; 
•         Deep understanding of museum management and operations;
•         Driven to increase visibility and impact of a civic institution; 
•         Embodies a transparent and inclusive leadership style that supports trust and accountability;
•         Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and is naturally inviting and responsive, diplomatic, and a good listener; 
•         Able to develop a powerful sense of shared purpose and to motivate others to embrace opportunities and challenges ahead; 
•         Will embrace the Louisville community professionally and personally, enjoying the opportunity to live in the city and region; 
•         Persuasive, yet open to differing views and opinions.

Performance Criteria

Performance criteria for success will be determined in collaboration with the Board of Trustees within the first six months of assuming the position. Specific metrics will be agreed upon once the Director has sufficient experience and knowledge of the Speed’s culture, programs, decision-making policies, and personnel. The Director will strive for success and growth in the following areas:

•         Finance and administration, ensured and maintained balanced annual operating budgets;
•         Public awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of the Speed’s programs, exhibitions, and services.
•         Impact of programs and exhibitions for audiences and program participants;
•         Audience attendance and participation;
•         Earned revenue from program beneficiaries and/or their proxy supporters;
•         Contributed income from the Boards, patrons, businesses, foundations and government at local, regional, and national levels.