Application Guide

How to Apply for Executive Director

at Association for Cultural Equity

🏢 About Association for Cultural Equity

The Association for Cultural Equity (ACE) is a living archive dedicated to preserving the world’s expressive traditions, with a focus on reconnecting communities with their cultural heritage. Founded by Alan Lomax, ACE is unique in its global scope and commitment to sustaining cultural practices through research, dissemination, and community engagement. Working here means contributing to the vital mission of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and supporting traditional music and dance worldwide.

About This Role

As Executive Director, you will lead ACE’s strategic vision, expand its programs both domestically and internationally, and drive fundraising efforts to ensure financial sustainability. This role is impactful because you will directly shape how ACE grows its archive, reaches new audiences, and supports cultural practitioners. You’ll work closely with a passionate board and staff to uphold ACE’s legacy while innovating for the future.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with program managers to review ongoing projects, such as a community archiving workshop or a grant report. Mid-morning, you might draft a funding proposal for a new initiative, then spend the afternoon meeting with board members to discuss strategic priorities. Evenings could involve attending a virtual concert or webinar hosted by ACE to stay connected with the cultural communities you serve.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Association for Cultural Equity

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Association for Cultural Equity Is Looking For

  • A candidate with deep expertise in American and world traditional music and dance, ideally with a background in public folklore, ethnomusicology, or cultural programming.
  • A proven fundraiser with a track record of securing grants from public (e.g., NEH, NEA) and private foundations, as well as individual donors.
  • A strategic leader who can balance day-to-day operations with long-term vision, and who has experience guiding a small nonprofit through growth or transition.
  • An excellent communicator who can articulate ACE’s mission to diverse audiences, from scholars and artists to funders and the general public.

📝 Tips for Applying to Association for Cultural Equity

1

Tailor your cover letter to highlight specific experience with traditional music/dance archives or cultural heritage projects, not just general nonprofit leadership.

2

Provide concrete examples of successful grant writing, including the amount raised and the impact of the funded programs.

3

Demonstrate familiarity with ACE’s collections (e.g., Alan Lomax Archive) and current programs by referencing specific initiatives in your application.

4

Show how you’ve engaged with diaspora communities or international partners, as ACE emphasizes reconnecting communities with their heritage.

5

Include a vision statement (1-2 paragraphs) for how you would expand ACE’s reach and fundraising in the next 3-5 years.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for and knowledge of traditional music and dance, and how this aligns with ACE’s mission.', 'Your fundraising successes, especially with cultural or archival projects, and your ability to diversify funding sources.', 'Your experience leading strategic planning and program development in a remote or distributed team environment.', 'Your commitment to equity and community-centered work, particularly in reconnecting people with their cultural roots.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore the Alan Lomax Archive online, including the Global Jukebox and other digital tools, to understand ACE’s current outreach methods.
  • → Read recent news or press releases about ACE’s projects, such as collaborations with indigenous communities or new grant awards.
  • → Review the bios of current board members and staff to understand their backgrounds and priorities.
  • → Look into the funding landscape for cultural heritage nonprofits, including major foundations like the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Mellon Foundation.
Visit Association for Cultural Equity's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you balance preserving the archive’s historical integrity while making it more accessible and relevant to modern audiences?
2 Describe a major fundraising campaign you led—what was your strategy, and what were the outcomes?
3 How do you approach building relationships with diaspora communities and ensuring their voices are centered in ACE’s work?
4 What is your experience with digital archives and online dissemination of cultural materials?
5 How would you prioritize between expanding programs in the US versus internationally, given limited resources?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t mention ACE’s specific collections or mission—this signals lack of genuine interest.
  • Overemphasizing business or administrative skills without demonstrating a deep connection to the cultural content (music/dance).
  • Failing to address the remote work aspect—candidates should show they can manage a distributed team and maintain organizational culture virtually.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Association for Cultural Equity!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →