JAHC extends search for new executive director due to scarcity of applicants

Board votes to “look for creative solutions in the budget” as recruiting incentive

The Juneau Arts and Culture Center, which is operated by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

This story has been updated to include additional material about JEDC’s DEI policies and website content. The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council has extended its search period for a new executive director after the former director stepped down in May. The Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to find ways to incentivize applicants with whatever funds they can find in their budget. 

According to its job posting, JAHC is looking for “an energetic and empathetic Executive Director to usher the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council into the next 50 years of operation.” Basic requirements include five years of experience at a nonprofit or administering arts programs, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and fiscal knowledge of budgets and grant management.

James Bibb is the interim chair of JAHC’s board of trustees and has been involved in the search for candidates. He said the organization is a bit surprised by the lack of applications, which was so low the organization had to extend the deadline. As of last week, only three people had applied for the executive director position since the posting opened on June 1.

“It's something that's catching us, to be frank, a little off guard,” Bibb said. “What we've talked about internally is ‘Are we offering the right salary for people, mindful of the cost of living?’ and what we're hampered with as a nonprofit is there's a bit of constraint on how much benefits we can offer.”

At a board meeting Wednesday night, members passed a motion to "look for creative solutions in the budget regarding the executive director search” by either funding an outside recruiter or an increase in the offered salary, which is currently $85,000-$95,000 a year. Bibb acknowledged that money likely isn’t the only thing causing hesitation, though.

“We're still receiving a little bit of feedback on some of the controversy about the DEI policy revisions, we've heard from supporters in the communities. There's still concern that the JAHC is not paying attention to their broader community outreach,” Bibb said. 

In February, the Board of Trustees voted to eliminate all terms on "public facing documents" associated with diversity, equity and inclusion to safeguard funding. The former director, Phil Huebschen, resigned shortly after this decision. The board’s decision resulted in the removal of pages from JAHC’s website — titled “JAHC Statement on Racial Equity” and “Mission & Strategy” — which remain absent as of Thursday. However, the recruitment letter posted at the website for the executive director position declares equity is one of its three "core values" and uses the other two supposedly "taboo" terms in an "about us" description. "We also know that a diverse and inclusive staff will lead to a deeper connection to the communities we serve," the letter states. "We strongly encourage women and non-binary candidates; Alaska Native, Indigenous and people of color; people with disabilities and those with diverse economic and educational backgrounds to apply."

JAHC receives a variety of grants, including some originating from federal sources. Their local funding could also be in jeopardy, with CBJ withholding 60% of grant money for this fiscal year, pending the results of two ballot measures in this year’s municipal election.

“We're potentially reaching a time where grants are going to be harder and fewer to come by because of competition, and certainly down from the federal government in the National Endowment for the Arts,” Bibb said.

According to Bibb, the director's role is inherently political to some degree and takes a certain personality.

“In a leadership role, in a leading arts organization, there's going to be a bit of politics, because you're sort of at the tip of the spear,” Bibb said. “You're in the public eye, you're going to be quoted a lot, and you're going to be seen as a leader.”

Because of funding issues on the horizon, the JAHC wants a sharp fiscal mind to help manage its ongoing projects. Right now, the organization is looking forward to an expansion into a proposed Capital Civic Center that would replace Centennial Hall and the current JAHC facility. The new space would be “fairly technologically advanced” with “all the bells and whistles,” spurring the need for more training and education opportunities. 

“We see the opportunity to train artists and young staff members who are artists, a lot of them have their leg in that field, to be more of a vocational training, to teach them business skills, management, organization, and you can branch all the way out into technical skills,” he said. “There'll be a lot of training needed for simply lighting and sound and things like that.”

Selling the new civic center itself might be part of the new executive director’s political responsibilities, as the proposed building has caused some controversy over the years. Its construction was voted down in the 2019 municipal election, but was approved by the city to start seeking funds in 2023. Some see it as a new cornerstone of Juneau’s growing arts community, while others view it as fiscal irresponsibility, especially in light of the record glacial outburst floods over the last few years.

“It's been a project that's been on the wish list for, you know, gosh, I would say, if you go back, it's been 30 years,” Bibb said. “There's always a little bit of pushback. I think people are very mindful whenever public funds are asked to be used.”

The JAHC is hosting an event tech and production workshop in August. The multi-day program will feature venue tours and seminars about running a show from behind the scenes.

Bibb said that these burgeoning opportunities will require a skilled executive director to lead the way. Ideally, he wants to find someone locally engaged who can balance outreach, fiscal responsibility and arts management. He’d also like to energize Juneau’s younger community, especially as the town’s demographic shifts.

“I'm really trying to encourage a generation that's perhaps coming up in their 30s and 40s, that are looking for a leadership role in the community,” he said. “I think we're as much looking for the younger generation. It's their turn to come up. And I think it's such a wonderful position to be in, especially if you're enthusiastic about the arts and being involved in it.”

• Contact Ellie Ruel at ellie.ruel@juneauindependent.com.