American Craft Magazine/American Craft Council

Editor in Chief Position Description

Reports to Executive Director
Located in SoHo, NYC through July 2010; Minneapolis, MN thereafter

American Craft magazine is published six times per year with a circulation of 30,000+ and a readership of 90,000+ artists, collectors, gallery dealers, educators and advocates. Published by the American Craft Council, it is the leading voice for fine craft. The magazine also maintains a dynamic website, www.americancraftmag.org.

The new editor has the opportunity and the challenge to maintain the high quality of the magazine and website, showcasing and interpreting past, present and emerging fine craft. He or she will build on and evolve the magazine beyond its recent comprehensive redesign. The editor will simultaneously build a new staff in a new location. At the same time, the American Craft Council will be reinforcing its own role in the contemporary craft world; revamping the Council's website and focusing on the way it can impact and support the field. While American Craft is not a house organ for the Council, the new editor's openness to exploring the appropriate interrelationship between the two is important.

Organization Overview
The American Craft Council's mission is to champion craft. It is a national, nonprofit public educational and marketing organization responding to the trends and needs of the American craft field. Founded in 1943 by philanthropist and visionary Aileen Osborn Webb, the Council actively promotes the understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft through its bimonthly magazine American Craft, one annual wholesale and four retail juried craft shows presenting artists and their work across the country, leadership conferences, awards for excellence including the American Craft Council College of Fellows, a research library, workshops and seminars. For additional information, please visit www.craftcouncil.org.

The American Craft Council will be relocating from New York City to Minneapolis, MN, and plans to open its new office in July 2010. A search is currently underway to identify the Council's next executive director. An interim director has been in place since June 2009, following the resignation for medical reasons of Andrew Glasgow. The new executive director will be involved in the selection of the editor in chief. The editor's position will be based in Minneapolis after July 2010.

Position Summary
Oversee creative development and execution of bimonthly magazine, providing vision and direction. Supervise all conceptual and production matters. Oversee staffing matters for editorial, production and design. Serve as spokesperson for the publication to the media and the industry. Function as a key member of the Council's management team. The editor will supervise a staff of one to two, in addition to an outside creative director and outside contributors.

Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes salary, benefits and a suitable travel allowance.

Basic Responsibilities
• Maintain and advance the publication's editorial mission and strategies, working with the Executive Director.

• Produce and publish a high-quality magazine and website within budget.

• Manage transition from existing staff to new staff. Supervise, hire and train small staff.

• Conceive, develop and contribute content for magazine and website. Explore new media opportunities as they relate to American Craft readers.

• Assign and edit content. Work closely with staff. Manage and expand network of contributors.

• Oversee editorial and operating procedures, including scheduling and production matters. Determine editorial strategies for achieving on-time production and accuracy.

• Oversee design of publication, working with outside creative director.

• Monitor consistency of tone and voice of the publication

• Establish and maintain budget and seek efficiencies as appropriate.

• Supervise and work collegially with advertising sales manager, assisting on sales calls as needed. Provide editorial input regarding ad sales strategy, sales support and marketing collateral.

• Represent the magazine at industry events; serve as a spokesperson for the magazine.

• Appoint and effectively use editorial advisory board.

Objectives
• Create a relevant, provocative dialogue that stimulates and engages.

• Place craft within the context of contemporary culture.

• Produce a publication covering every aspect of the field that is successful with advertisers and on the newsstand, ensuring the magazine's financial stability, increased circulation and access to new avenues of exposure.

• Work effectively as a member of the senior management team at the Council.

• Build a sense of community among readers and engagement with the magazine, website and American Craft Council.

Qualifications
An experienced editor, writer and resourceful leader
Knowledge of all aspects of magazine publishing
Knowledge of In-Design, Photoshop, Acrobat
Solid consumer magazine experience
Experience with companion websites and new media tools
Experience in art field [visual art and/or design, or craft] personally or professionally
Proven management experience

Profile of the Ideal Candidate
Strong consumer magazine professional
Ability to lead during transition
Experience as part of art-oriented publication staff
Imagination and interest in the arts
Experienced manager of both people and process
Intellect for and inclination toward critical discourse
Resourceful-effective results with small staff and moderate budget
Diplomatic, flexible and resilient-able to function well within a nonprofit environment
Rolodex of writers and other resources in the broad arts and culture field
Capable editor and writer
Strong external communications skills
Creative thinker regarding direction and position of the magazine

How to Apply
Please send the following information in a single file to [email protected]. All candidates will receive confirmation of receipt of materials. It is estimated that the search will span a few months (mid-spring), pending the hire of the Executive Director.

Materials to [email protected]:
• Resume or CV
• Cover letter including candidate's views and recommendations on American Craft magazine specifically OR the craft/art/design publishing industry in general as we consider today's economically challenging and competitive environment
• Names and contact information of three references
• Salary history