New Executive Director

[Terratecture]

Hey everyone....
I have become very intrigued by the search for a new ISC Executive Director. As a non-artist, I wondered what other members of ISC felt would make for an effective leader or if there were changes they would like to see within the organization.
Obviously all organizations of this type have been hit financially by the economy. I know this to be true from other professional organizations that I am involved with. But with challenge comes opportunity. Here are just a few of the questions that I have and let me preface this by saying that I have been a member of ISC for a number of years.
Does ISC suffer from an identity crisis? It appears to me that the International Sculpture Center is truly not a "center" in a structural sense. The ISC is more of a community to me, rather than a specific place. Although I think unofficially Grounds For Sculpture could be the actual center. Would a name change help attract more non-members?
Does the current membership desire more services from their Board of Directors? Are there national lobbying issues? Are there opportunities to align or partner with other national organizations? What do members truly see as the benefit to belonging to ISC? How do you justify your membership dues?
Is ISC doing enough programming to bring quality sculpture to everyone? I would personally hate for sculpture to be perceived as a medium that only the elite could afford or enjoy. Are we doing enough or can we be doing something different to make sure that sculpture is enjoyed and appreciated by all economic categories?
These are just a few of the things that are bouncing around in my head. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to respond or contact me.

Thanks,

Dean Hill, ASLA
President
American Society of Landscape Architects, Indiana Chapter

[fritchie]

Dean - Very good comments and questions. I will want to say more in a day or two, but off the top of my head here are a few comments:

I would say the first requirement is continuity, with significant shifts where necessary, but nothing radical in short order. For example, I think a name change is not attractive. You are right in saying that ISC is more a concept than a place - it (or at least the active leadership group) is a community with common goals, but no fixed physical structure.

“Sculpture” magazine probably represents a central focus of this community - introduction of the public to substantive sculpture and sculptors. “Sculpture” draws heavily on ISC’s resources and usefully might be altered in the service of more sharply defined goals, but I also would be careful in making changes here, as the magazine represents a principal effort over many years.