John S. Behnke Director

HENRY ART GALLERY

JOHN S. BEHNKE DIRECTOR

 

ABOUT THE HENRY ART GALLERY

 

The University of Washington seeks applicants for the position of John S. Behnke Director of The Henry

Art Gallery. A leading contemporary art museum with unparalleled collections, exhibits, and programs,

the Henry Art Gallery (the Henry) envisions a world where art leads everyone to discover possibilities in

themselves, others, and the world around them. The Henry Art Gallery was founded in 1926 as

Washington State's first art museum by Seattle entrepreneur Horace C. Henry on the principle that art

stimulates inquiry, fosters knowledge, and builds a healthy community. Horace Henry donated the

collection of 178 works of art that he built with his late wife Susan, along with funding for the museum’s

construction. The permanent collection now contains over 28,000 objects, including costumes, textiles,

ceramics, photographs, prints, videos, paintings, and works on paper. The Henry opened to the public on

February 10, 1927, and completed a major expansion in 1997, quadrupling its size.

 

Located on the Seattle campus of the world-renowned University of Washington (UW), the Henry is

internationally recognized for innovative and groundbreaking exhibitions, for being first in the field to

champion emerging artists who go on to worldwide acclaim, and for premiering and sponsoring new

works by artists of note. Today, the Henry empowers diverse artists to activate the museum as a studio

and laboratory for creativity. The Henry Art Gallery has a rich history that includes partnerships with

over 40 academic departments and units of the University of Washington, 35 community organizations,

and regional partnerships, extending its position as a key cultural resource in the Pacific Northwest and

a training ground in the visual arts for students, scholars, artists, and general audiences.

 

The Henry’s permanent collection includes both historical and contemporary artworks collected since

the museum’s inception. Collections of particular note are the Albert Feldmann Collection of European

Master Prints, the Joseph and Elaine Monsen Collection of Photography, the Stimson-Bullitt Collection of

nineteenth-century prints, the Bill and Ruth True Collection of Contemporary Art, and the Washington

Arts Consortium Collection of American Photographs, 1970–1980. In the Eleanor Henry Reed Collection

Study Center, visitors can request to see specific works of interest. This center is a significant cultural resource for

anyone seeking to learn from original works of art, and for students and researchers studying at the University of

Washington and other academic institutions. Digital access to the permanent collection is also available on the

Henry’s website.

 

The Henry presents exhibitions and programs that serve as a catalyst for discovery by visitors of all ages.

Exhibitions are the cornerstone of how the Henry engages with the larger community. The Henry is

committed to racial equity and social justice as the future for contemporary art. The museum’s efforts

to build an inclusive, equitable, and anti-racist organization informs all they do. The Henry is currently

prioritizing works by BIPOC identifying artists, particularly Black, Latinx, and Native American artists, and

is also focusing on increasing the number of works in their holdings by women and LGBTQ+ artists.

 

Public programs at the Henry include lectures, performances, workshops, and screenings that engage

contemporary art practices and the complex ideas of our time. Developed in collaboration with the

Henry’s community and artist partners, the museum approaches their programs as opportunities for

ongoing and deepening conversations with artists; local organizations; University of Washington faculty,

staff, students, and student groups; and people of all ages. Digital publications and online resources

increase equity, access, and the educational impact of the Henry’s premier exhibitions and programs.

 

As a unit of the UW’s College of Arts & Sciences, the Henry Art Gallery works closely in a public/private

partnership between the UW and the Henry Gallery Association (HGA). Incorporated in 1970, the Henry

Gallery Association is an independent nonprofit organization that supports the University of Washington

with the Henry’s operations, management, and funding. The Henry Gallery Association provides advice

and direction on many important areas including board governance, finance, operations, equity,

collections, development, marketing, and special events.

 

In 2019, the Henry launched Art Unbound, a $5 million philanthropic campaign to commission artists to

create new works, expand partnerships with educators, students, and people throughout their

community, and center education and equity as a vital part of the museum experience. The campaign

has focused on cultivating and soliciting major gifts and investments to originate groundbreaking

exhibitions, commission new works, establish new scholarship, and foster a culture of creativity

communitywide. As of January 2023, this transformative campaign has raised $4.89 million and expects

to close successfully by the end of June 2023.

 

THE POSITION

 

The next John S. Behnke Director will be a collaborative and dynamic museum executive, who provides

overall vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the Henry Art Gallery. The Director will be a

recognized champion for groundbreaking exhibits, innovative arts programming, and supporting new

artists, as well as leading the Henry’s dedicated mission to engage all people in the transformative

power of contemporary art and ideas. The next Director will start from a highly advantageous position,

inheriting a stable budget, a high-functioning senior staff, a passionate base of donors and patrons, a

$24.3 million endowment, and vibrant support from the University of Washington and Pacific Northwest

community. This position reports directly to Dianne Harris, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

(CAS) and indirectly to Gabriel Solis, the Divisional Dean of Arts. In addition to a close partnership with

CAS, the Director works closely with the independent, nonprofit Board of Trustees of the Henry Gallery

Association on policy, programming, governance, fiscal health, and fundraising. This leader is expected

to maintain strong relationships with the University of Washington, including productive and positive

engagements with UW officials, the campus community, and civic leaders in Seattle.

 

As a champion of the Henry’s mission, the Director inspires an organizational culture of inclusiveness,

collaboration, and critical inquiry. The Director oversees 47 staff including six senior-level staff: Director

of Communications & Public Relations, Director of Curatorial Affairs, Director of Development, Director

of Finance & Administration, Human Resources Manager, and Executive Assistant. With this team the

Director cultivates the highest degree of professionalism and accountability and ensures effective

management, efficient organizational structures and systems, and professional practices grounded in

equity and excellence. The Director oversees the management of a $4.9 million operating budget, while

constantly aligning the support of operations with the museum’s mission, vision, and values with a

strong commitment to the Henry’s location on the campus of a major research university.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Alongside a deep, passionate commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Henry Art Gallery

and the University of Washington, the ideal candidate will bring a minimum of seven years of

demonstrated senior-level leadership experience at successful arts, educational, and/or cultural

institutions, including experience with fundraising, marketing, communications, program design,

strategic planning, and board relations. Proven ability to successfully develop, mentor, and lead large,

diverse teams in a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration. They will bring proven success in building

productive, long-term relationships with senior university administrators, deans, faculty, staff, civic

leaders, boards, volunteers, and donors. Strong cultural competence with a demonstrated commitment

to diversity, equity, and inclusion will be critical. This leader should also possess a shared, flexible

leadership style that promotes creative problem-solving skills and risk-taking across teams; strong

listening, communication, interpersonal, and motivational skills; and a strong record in fundraising,

particularly major gift, foundation, and corporate funding. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited

university or college is required; an advanced degree in arts history, fine arts, or a related arts field is

desirable.

 

ABOUT UW AND THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

 

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is consistently rated one of the world’s top institutions

of higher learning, ranked 6th among the best global universities by U.S. News & World Report, and

recently recognized by Reuters as one of the most innovative public universities in the world. With three

campuses in Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell, UW offers over 845 degree options across 474 programs to

over 60,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students annually. In 2022, the University

received $1.67 billion in total research awards, more than any other public university in the United

States. UW has an annual budget of $9.49 billion and employs more than 4,300 faculty and nearly

27,000 staff. The outstanding faculty includes seven Nobel Prize winners and 17 MacArthur Fellows.

Located just four miles north of downtown Seattle, the main campus offers stunning views of snowcapped Mount

Rainier and the Olympic Mountains, as well as nearby Lake Washington.

 

The College of Arts & Sciences is at the heart of the University of Washington. As the UW’s largest

college, Arts & Sciences produces more than half of all bachelor’s degrees on the Seattle campus. A third

of their 24,000+ students are the first in their families to attend college. Faculty in 39 academic

departments are dedicated to helping students think critically, communicate clearly, and engage diverse

perspectives respectfully. In Arts & Sciences, their discoveries in learning, teaching, and research engage

them with their local, national, and global communities — and with each other. Since September 1,

2021, the college has been led by Dean Dianne Harris.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

The salary range for this position is $255,000 to $285,000. Employment at the Henry Art Gallery is

managed by the University of Washington. UW offers a highly competitive salary and a wide range of

benefits as part of a total compensation package. For more information, explore the UW Benefits

website. As an active player in Seattle’s and the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant arts and cultural

communities, the Henry Art Gallery also offers a supportive, flexible, and inclusive work environment.

Relocation will be provided for the successful candidate.

 

APPLICATION

 

The University of Washington has retained Campbell & Company to conduct this search. A full position

guide can be viewed here. To be considered for this opportunity, please send a letter of interest and

resume to: kole.farrise@campbellcompany.com

 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any

substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current

employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

 

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences,

perspectives, and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning

environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

 

The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to

becoming climate neutral.

 

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will

receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender

identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

 

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-

6450 or dso@uw.edu.

 

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

 

Employees of the University of Washington are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical

or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their

final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will

be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. View the Final candidate guide to COVID-19

vaccination requirement webpage for information about the medical or religious exemption process for final

candidates.