Living Arts Launches Search for New Executive Director

The youth arts education nonprofit is seeking a leader to deepen the organization’s commitment to racial and social justice

Detroit-based arts education and youth development nonprofit Living Arts has launched a search to hire a visionary executive director who will move the organization’s mission forward by igniting creativity in the lives of Detroit youth through tihe performing, visual and media arts. 

Living Arts is seeking a leader with the skillset, passion and expertise to uplift youth voices and artistic talent in ways that provide culturally relevant educational experiences for young people in our region. This leadership transition comes after nearly a year of strategic discussions among the organization’s board and staff members — and in partnership with Living Arts’ community stakeholders and building on financial support from The Kresge Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

“This transition process has been propelled by joy, intensive exploration and reimagining, and our staff and board members’ shared commitment to transformative change,” said Alissa Novoselick, Living Arts’ current executive director. “Utilizing our core values, mission and equity principles as guides, this strategic decision is rooted in the voices of the entire board, staff, artists, young people, and donors who have been part of our process.”   

Over the past 20 years, Living Arts’ 40 teaching artists have partnered with schools, organizations and communities to deliver high quality arts education experiences to Detroit youth ages 3 months to 18 years. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit is supported by a $1.1 million budget, thanks to a multitude of individual, corporate and foundation partners, and was named the 2019 Best-Managed Nonprofit by Crain’s Detroit. The organization is seeking an executive director who will continue to place the community at the center of programs and recognize the power of the arts for Black and Brown youth. 

The hiring of a new executive director is a community-led effort that includes a Search Committee of teaching artists, parents, youth, staff and board members so that all stakeholders have a voice in the decision. Koya Leadership Partners is assisting with recruitment.

Living Arts facilitator and Executive Coach Isabelle Moses has been a trusted advisor to Novoselick and the organization for the past three years. She believes it will be important for the next leader to increase arts education access to Detroit students while retaining the caliber of teaching artists and staff that have characterized the organization.

“The board is seeking someone who can authentically represent the Detroit arts community and ensure that the programming continues to bring out the best in Detroit's youth, especially Black and Latinx youth,” Moses said.

“We aren’t looking for a leader with just a list of credentials,” said Living Arts Board Chair Matthew Nahan, who has served on the board since 2015. “The right person will be able to fulfil the day-to-day tasks, but they will also have a true passion for the work. That passion may stem from their practice as an artist, their commitment to Detroit, or from their drive for quality educational experiences for our community’s young people.”

Dance Teaching Artist and Search Committee Member Miryam Johnson believes the next director will receive a nonprofit in excellent standing, but they will also receive an arts organization at a time when the art world is shifting. 

“This next director will lead Living Arts as we work through navigating virtual learning, organizing and likely performance,” said Johnson, who has taught dance the past five years. “This undertaking requires a strong artistic understanding and a deep imagination. I hope whoever steps into this role sees the importance of our youth as leaders in this time and works to bring all members of our community together for this reimagining.”  

Alissa Novoselick has served as executive director since 2016 and has had a transformational impact on the nonprofit. Over the past four years, Novoselick secured the organization’s vendor status with Detroit Public Schools Community District, expanded work with early childhood providers and formalized Living Arts’ values and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

“We would have loved for Alissa to lead us for another four years,” Nahan said. “But through shifts that were brought about by COVID-19, Alissa saw this as the right time to move this important work forward. She is leaving us in a strong financial and programmatic position so a new, representative leader, will chart the important next phase of Living Arts’ responsiveness and growth.”

“We would like to thank Alissa for her tireless work and commitment,” Nahan said. “We are grateful for her willingness to continue working with us to make this a smooth and supportive transition for our next leader.”

Living Arts has partnered with Alicia Salerno of Koya Leadership Partners to seek our next Executive Director.  For more information, you can find the position profile here.

For media inquiries contact Living Arts Board Chair Matt Nahan at boardpresident@livingartsdetroit.org.