You Need A Multi talented Administrative Professional

[donhudgins]

Headline: You Need A Multi talented Administrative Professional
Name: Don Hudgins
Email Address: don@donhudgins.net
Current Location: Salem, Oregon, USA

Preferred Job Category: Administration

Personal Statement:
My personal philosophy as a curator is guided by a strong sense of design, craft, and aesthetic appeal informed by qualities of humor, absurdity, and a genuine sense of exploration and examination of contemporary art and issues. I seek out opportunities to turn over stones seeking the unseen or unconsidered and that, which will challenge our perceptions as audience and artist. By seeking objects, events, and environments, which challenge our traditionally held views of the container called “Art”; we challenge ourselves in relation to our post-modern world and our place therein individually and collectively.

I have been fortunate to work with many astounding professionals of extraordinary talents from very diverse disciplines and endeavors including architects, dancers, painters and printmakers, sculptors, jewelers, parade artists and glass blowers. I choose not to limit myself to one strict exploration of discipline or media. The world is far too rich with experiences and perceptions to limit what is worthy of our attention and scrutiny to traditionally accepted art forms.

The many wonderful and diverse experiences I’ve had in presenting art as a Gallery Director and Curator have opened my world of perception of art; both high and low. Allowing areas of engagement, inquiry, and endeavor in Eco-Art which seeks to inform and enlighten through art integrated with or about our environment, decorative arts, architecture and design, illustration and many fine printmakers, extraordinary painters and sculptors, media and installation art, dance and movement, sound and light, and many temporal aesthetic inquiries.

I am seeking a position as a gallery director or nonprofit administrator which will allow me to fully utilize my abilities and experience in a nonprofit, museum, or academic environment.

Education:
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Master of Fine Art - 1983
Virginia Commonwealth University, Bachelor of Fine Art - 1981
Bellevue Community College, Nonprofit Fundraising and Grant Writing (non degree program) 2004

Professional Experience:
Oregon Alliance for Arts Education, Salem, OR 2007 - 2008
Nonprofit Arts Advocacy & Educator Professional Development
Executive Director
Successfully improved and relocated existing teacher professional development program to new university venue achieving significant cost reduction while maintaining programmatic integrity. Maintained and improved strategic partnerships with state agencies and national parent organization. Planned and coordinated board meetings, strategic planning meetings and executive committee meetings. Performed arts education advocacy on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC and Oregon Legislature, Salem OR. Planned and published newsletters and fundraising campaign letters.

Sedrat Arts, Seattle, WA 2005 - present
Nonprofit Arts Administration and Granting Program
Founder and Director
Founded and promoted active arts organization, which provides programmatic infrastructure to arts projects and organizations promoting social causes through the arts. Published arts calendar featuring works by 12 artists in 2006.

Fremont Arts Council, Seattle, WA 2006
Nonprofit Arts Presenter and Granting Program
Operations Manager
Successfully planned and directed 2006 Fremont Summer Solstice Parade coordinating city and community resources in an event featuring over 1,000 performers and volunteer participants with an audience estimated at 65,000 attracting local and national press coverage. The annual event features 4.5-mile parade on Seattle streets with 15 – 20 people powered floats, musical and dance performers, nude bicyclists, a pre-parade treasure hunt and a closing pageant celebration at Gasworks Park featuring nationally known musicians including the Tiptons and Jason Webley. Designed and published two newspaper format newsletters.

Center on Contemporary Art, Seattle, WA 2001-2004
Nonprofit Arts Presenter and Gallery
Executive Director
Rescued and revitalized a failing organization bringing improved community relations and financial stability to a 20-year-old organization. Improved membership recording through database design and improved services while bringing visibility, successful marketing and press exposure to gallery and performance programming. Provided new exhibition opportunities specifically directed to emerging artists. Conducted successful relocation to two new venues including build-out planning. budgeting and supervision. Developed and maintained corporate sponsorship relations while executing highly relevant programming. Organized major exhibitions including transportation and installation of Seattle artists under direction of Michael Klein, curator, Microsoft Art Collection. Arranged fundraising lecture and private benefactor lunch with Laurie Anderson. Planned and directed benefit concert with Pearl Django. Arranged and coordinated Pilchuck Hauberg Fellows and recent graduate exhibition. Planned and managed fundraising auctions five consecutive years. Planned and directed youth arts mural program in cooperation with Arts Corps. Successfully applied for and acquired nonprofit arts organization liquor license with State of WA. Planned and coordinated server training program for volunteer bartenders. Arranged vendor services with liquor suppliers and assembled stocked, staffed and licensed bar.


Dale Chihuly Studio, Seattle, WA 1997-2001
Fine Art and Glass Art Studio Collection Manager/Head Registrar/Director of Information Services
Designed and implemented protocols and procedures for image management of slide and photo library of over 1,000,000 images including 35mm slides, 4x5 transparencies, 8x10 stills, film, and video. Designed and implemented databases for management of studio production, worldwide installations and commissions, and Dale Chihuly’s private and personal collection of works of art, collectibles, and memorabilia.

Applicable Skills:
Resourceful and seasoned Executive with over 25 years of experience in managing nonprofit and commercial environments in major United States cities. Accomplished gallerist, curator, advocate, grant writer, and administrator. Experienced in exhibition planning and strategic communications including financial development and management of media communications. Technical abilities include business strategic planning, marketing, budgeting, basic bookkeeping, personnel management, website design and management, database design and maintenance. Literate and proficient in most PC software including Microsoft Access, FrontPage, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and QuickBooks.

Other:
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team environment.
• Leadership skills in business and nonprofit environments.
• Flexible and dependable.
• Highly ethical with reputation for accountability and dedication.