NXTHVN Executive Director

Overview

The Organization NXTHVN was founded in 2018 by acclaimed artist Titus Kaphar and impact investor Jason Price. NXTHVN stands as a groundbreaking institution that uniquely combines the best of arts and entrepreneurship. Through access, education, programming, and impact investing, NXTHVN launches the careers of artists and curators while simultaneously strengthening the livelihood of its local community. The organization operates with a $1.5 million annual budget and is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors.

The Mission Create groundbreaking educational and professional opportunities; and deliver resources, knowledge, and capital to underrepresented professional artists, curators, and members of the surrounding Dixwell community.

The Opportunity The Executive Director (ED) will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for NXTHVN, ensuring a strong and sustainable business model to fulfill its mission and expand its impact. The ED will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization, including fundraising, financial management, strategic planning, community engagement, and organizational development.

NXTHVN is in a critical stage of development, and the Executive Director will be responsible for ensuring the organization is fiscally and administratively sound by aligning operations, communications, programs, partnerships, and development efforts with the mission, Board policies, and community needs. The ED will serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for NXTHVN, representing the organization to donors, partners, community members, business leaders, and the broader arts and cultural sector.

The ideal Executive Director must effectively balance internal organizational requirements with external relationship building. The ED should also be an outstanding facilitator, collaborator, and communicator who can gain the trust and confidence of founders, staff, Board members, program participants, partners (both existing and potential), funders, and other stakeholders.

Fellowship Program NXTHVN’s cornerstone initiative is its transformative 10-month Fellowship Program, which has gained national recognition for its effectiveness in accelerating the careers of emerging and underrepresented artists and curators. The intensive, cohort-based program provides:

• Professional studio spaces and housing accommodations
• Mentorship from established industry professionals
• Exhibition opportunities in NXTHVN’s gallery
• Professional development workshops and networking events
• Financial support through stipends

NXTHVN’s Fellows have achieved extraordinary career success having secured representation at major galleries, presented work at international exhibitions, and received significant grants, awards, and meaningful industry recognition. The program’s alumni network continues to grow, creating a powerful community of arts professionals who support each other’s career advancement.

High School Apprenticeship Program The organization’s paid apprenticeship program for local teens has become a model for arts education and youth development. This program:

• Connects Dixwell neighborhood teens with NXTHVN Fellows for direct mentorship
• Provides one-to-one hands-on training in artistic techniques and professional practices
• Offers stipends that make arts participation economically accessible
• Builds pathways to higher education and careers in the arts
• Develops transferable skills in communication, critical thinking, and collaboration

The apprenticeship program has successfully engaged dozens of local youth, many of whom have pursued arts education at the collegiate level and remained connected to NXTHVN as they developed their careers.

Exhibition Program NXTHVN produces four professional exhibitions annually, with three hosted at its Dixwell gallery. These exhibitions:

• Showcase the work of current Fellows alongside established artists
• Provide curatorial opportunities for emerging professionals
• Engage the local community through opening events and educational programming
• Attract visitors from throughout the region, bringing attention to the Dixwell neighborhood
• Generate critical…