Urban Glass Cover Letter

Dear HR Manager, I am writing to express my utmost enthusiasm for the position of Executive Director at Urban Glass. My name is Saundra Smith and I am a passionate and experienced art professional with a deep love for glass as a creative medium. I have been following UrbanGlass for some time now and have been inspired by the organization's mission to foster experimentation and advance the use and critical understanding of glass. I am thrilled for the opportunity to join such a dynamic and impactful organization. As an artist-access glass-making center, UrbanGlass has been a pioneer in the art world since its establishment in 1977. I am drawn to the organization's commitment to providing a platform for artists, designers, and creatives to explore and push the boundaries of glass as a medium. With a community of over 25,000 professionals and a state-of-the-art studio space, UrbanGlass has established itself as a leader in the field of glass art. It would be an honor and a privilege to be a part of this community and contribute to its growth and success. I am particularly impressed by the organization's upcoming milestone of its 50th anniversary. As someone who is always eager to take on new challenges, I am excited to join UrbanGlass at this pivotal moment and help steer the organization towards a bright and thriving future. I am confident that my skills and experience make me a strong candidate for the role of Executive Director. Throughout my 5+ years of experience as a senior leader in not-for-profit organizations, I have honed my strategic thinking, communication, and fundraising skills. I have a proven track record of developing and implementing successful fundraising initiatives, cultivating relationships with donors and funders, and achieving financial goals. In my previous role as Executive Director at an arts organization, I was responsible for increasing contributed revenue by 30% in just two years through targeted cultivation activities and major fundraising events. I am confident that I can bring the same level of success to UrbanGlass. Moreover, I am deeply passionate about the arts and have a strong appreciation for glass as a creative material. I believe that my knowledge and experience in the field, along with my willingness to learn more, will enable me to effectively champion UrbanGlass's mission and promote its visibility and impact in the cultural landscape of New York City and beyond. In addition to my skills and experience, I am also drawn to the General Expectations listed in the job description. As a public representative of the organization, I am skilled at fostering relationships with community members, artists, and other stakeholders. I am confident in my ability to work closely with the Board of Directors to set and further the organization's priorities. I am also committed to creating a supportive, collaborative, and healthy work environment for the staff, based on respect, teamwork, and clear expectations and responsibilities. Furthermore, I am excited about the opportunity to engage with the user community, teachers, students, and the staff team to inspire, develop, and support an inclusive and creative environment. I believe that my leadership style, which focuses on building buy-in and garnering support from internal and external stakeholders, aligns perfectly with UrbanGlass's values and mission. I am ready and eager to take on the responsibilities of the Executive Director role at UrbanGlass. I am willing to be onsite for meetings, events, and other activities, including on weekends and after hours, to support donor cultivation and fundraising efforts. I am also comfortable working around fire and other glass-based processes in the studio and moving about the office, gallery, and studio space to interact with staff, board members, and other stakeholders. As for the role type, I am excited about the opportunity to join UrbanGlass as a full-time (40 hours/week), non-exempt, and salaried employee. The salary range of $130,000 - $160,000 annually is competitive and commensurate with my experience. I am also pleased to know that UrbanGlass offers a generous paid time off package of 24 days, as well as other employer-supported benefits such as medical insurance, studio time, HSA, and 401K. Lastly, I want to express my location preference for Brooklyn, NY. As a resident of Brooklyn for the past five years, I have developed a deep love for the borough and its vibrant arts scene. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the cultural landscape of my community through my work at UrbanGlass. In conclusion, I am extremely passionate about this position at UrbanGlass and am confident that my skills, experience, and enthusiasm make me an ideal candidate for the role of Executive Director. I am eager to discuss my qualifications further and look forward to the opportunity to meet with you and the Board of Directors. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Saundra Smith