The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tucson, AZ
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 20, 2025
Museum Search & Reference is excited to announce the search for the next Executive Director of The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures (TMTM). A true gem of an eclectic collection in Tucson, Arizona, this museum offers visitors an experience rooted in history and imagination through a remarkable, founder-originated collection of miniature displays and imaginary environments. Entering a new chapter in its fifteen-year history, The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures seeks an Executive Director to lead the Museum with strategic vision, creativity, and organizational acumen while charting new pathways for growth and engagement. Housed in an impressive facility on iconic desert grounds, the organization plans to leverage its solid financial foundation to build new partnerships and programs across disciplines that will captivate, engage, and inspire future generations.
THE MINI TIME MACHINE MUSEUM OF MINIATURES
The magical world of miniatures is on full display at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, as visitors are transported to different lands and times through the stories told by over 300 miniature houses and room boxes, expertly displayed in over 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art exhibit space. The Museum was created with the imagination and dedication of its founders, Patricia and Walter Arnell, longtime Tucson residents. Herself a miniaturist, Pat Arnell collected widely and enthusiastically for over 40 years and became active in the national and international miniature community, generating an abiding desire to share her collection and passion with the larger public. The Arnells made their dream a reality, opening the Museum in 2009 with a stunning new building specifically designed to house Pat Arnell’s’ own work as well as the collection, and offer changing programs and exhibitions. For example, a current exhibition features Broadway set models by David Korins, the designer of Hamilton (visit: (https://theminitimemachine.org/exhibitions/david-korins/), and September brings Ray Harryhausen’s exhibit Miniatures of the Silver Screen (https://theminitimemachine.org/exhibitions/ray-harryhausen-miniature-models/).
A nonprofit supported largely by the Arnell Trust, the Museum is situated on pristine grounds that provide spectacular views of the Catalina Mountains and the surrounding desert. Offering an attractive and well-equipped facility with various resources and community meeting spaces, the Museum is poised to expand its mission to preserve and advance the art of miniatures while inviting other perspectives and disciplines into the collective conversation inspired by its collection.
The concept of “the mini time machine” was born from the notion that a visitor would be transported to different eras by the stories and history of the pieces in the permanent collection, which include antique dollhouses dating to 1742, contemporary fine-scale miniatures. Changing exhibitions, programs, miniaturist-led workshops, private and school group tours, and events for all ages, build a new community of enthusiasts and bring history to life in unexpected ways. Through storytelling and historic contextualization, the Museum encourages an appreciation of the exquisite details of the works on display for their ingenuity, inventiveness, and craftsmanship, with the intention to elicit visitor engagement and the power of the imagination.
The Museum is led by an expanding seven-person Board of Directors, including Sarah Arnell, the Founder’s daughter, and nine full-time and fifteen part-time staff, including the positions of Curator, Registrar, Education Director, Marketing Coordinator, and Member Relations Manager. Annual visitorship for 2024 exceeded 46,000, engaged through a combination of general visits, private events, group and school tours, classes, workshops, and summer camps. Active membership is currently over 600. At the close of fiscal year 2024, the Museum’s budget was just over $1.6 million; it receives a sizeable annual dispensation from the Trust.
THE OPPORTUNITY
A relatively young organization with a unique mission, the Museum is excited to leverage its outstanding facility, fascinating collection, and secure financial position to attract a broader array of visitors. The recent passing of its founder marks a transition in leadership and brings the potential for a broadening of innovative partnerships and cross-disciplinary programming. The new Executive Director will be an entrepreneurial, energetic, and inspirational leader who understands museum administration and board development and has a track record of successful strategic re-visioning, relationship-building, and innovative programming to move the Museum forward in terms of visibility, relevancy, and community engagement.
The new Executive Director will partner with the Board on a comprehensive strategic planning process to establish the goals and vision for the coming three to five years. This will lay the groundwork and create a roadmap to proactively identify and cultivate new audiences, donors, and partnerships with other institutions and local organizations. The Executive Director will spearhead efforts to incorporate fundraising and development strategies into the Museum’s offerings to foster a healthy revenue mix and ensure the Museum’s long-term sustainability.
The Director will be a motivated and enthusiastic leader and mentor to the staff, embracing various perspectives and consistently advocating for a unified approach that strengthens the organization and its mission.
The Executive Director currently has seven direct reports who, in turn, oversee the rest of the staff. The Director must be skilled in integrated team management and possess the emotional intelligence, approachability, and sensitivity required to lead and empower staff members to excel in their work. As a passionate advocate for the organization, the new Executive Director will collaborate with the Board to promote best practices in governance while supporting and encouraging the Board in their organizational advocacy and engagement efforts. In the community, the Director will be seen as the Museum’s primary spokesperson, visible and accessible to those interested in becoming more involved in the Museum’s mission and activities.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
The broad strategic priorities of this position will require the incoming Executive Director to be a skilled communicator, capable of building productive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders. Ideally, they will possess experience in small museum and board development and a business-oriented mindset suited to the administration of a young cultural organization. They will be a passionate and resourceful innovator, able to advance a strategic vision with a collaborative approach. They will have the ability to tell the story of the Museum and its mission in a fun and engaging manner that builds bridges between history and the present while activating the collection to create relevance and engagement with real-world issues, topical subjects, and living artists.
The new Executive Director will:
Lead, inspire, and activate the potential of the organization and its mission as its key spokesperson externally and with the Board in a positive, productive partnership to align ED efforts with the strategic vision and ensure transparency on progress toward organizational goals.
Instill a fundraising mindset and culture at all levels by instituting a comprehensive fund development plan that outlines expectations and engages stakeholders, private and public funding sources, Board members, members and other audiences - modeling the benefits of donor-building initiatives.
Spearhead and execute a comprehensive strategic planning process to develop a compelling and realistic vision and measured approach that forwards the Museum's mission.
Expand community engagement and partnerships across the region, in line with the strategic priorities, and cultivate appropriate relationships with funders, institutions, and cultural professionals.
Engage the Board of Directors to ensure a high level of understanding and information-sharing across the Board and its committees, including staff where appropriate. Serve as a key thought partner in a Board Development strategy, working with the Board President to implement practices that identify, advance and support future Board leaders.
Direct the administrative and programmatic functions of the organization and ensure effective and sustainable staffing structures that promote efficiency, collaboration, clear communications, and follow-through.
Collaborate with the Director of Finance and Finance Committee to develop and finalize approval of the organization’s annual budget, as well as oversee financial records and the yearly audit process.
Provide direct oversight and professional development support to seven full-time staff members, mentoring and championing their success and well-being as well as evaluating their performance.
Directly manage human resource responsibilities across the organization ensuring a healthy workplace culture that is inclusive, engaging, and positive for staff and volunteers.
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES
B.A. in Art History, History, Decorative Arts, or Business Administration, with professional study or work aligned with Museum Studies and/or Arts Administration or in a complementary field. Graduate degree in a related field and experience specific to museum administration preferred.
Museum or nonprofit experience with five to seven years of experience working in a museum setting or a similar arts-based setting. Previous experience as a senior museum leader or director and in a membership-based organization is desired.
Track record of successful board partnerships and board development guidance in a similar organizational setting.
Knowledge of fundraising and development structures, including membership management and individual donor cultivation for arts-based organizations.
Financial management oversight expertise including budget analysis and development is required.
Knowledge and understanding of present-day human resources practices and their effective application. Successful supervisory experience along with forward-thinking organizational, communication, and team-building skills. Comfortable with delegation, evaluation, and mentorship, exhibiting a collaborative mindset, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
A passionate, proactive arts advocate, with a high level of emotional intelligence, and ability to confidently inspire and engage diverse audiences.
An innovative museum and cultural arts professional with connections in the field and industry that can lead to productive peer and collegial relationships.
We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this position.
COMPENSATION
$119,000 – $128,000 per annum (commensurate with experience). Relocation assistance, if appropriate, is negotiable. It is important to note that the cost of living in Tucson is significantly more reasonable than in most major metropolitan areas in the country, for instance, median home cost is noted to be 66% lower as compared to Los Angeles, CA.
Generous benefits are offered, including but not limited to group health insurance, vision, dental insurance, and group basic life insurance, as well as ample vacation and sick leave.
The position is based in Tucson, AZ and is a full-time, on-site position.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply in confidence, submit the following materials via email to Suzanne Tan, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference at SearchandRef@museum-search.com.
1) A letter expressing interest in this position and giving brief examples of past related experience
2) A résumé or C.V.
3) The names of three references with contact information, indicating their relationship with the candidate.
Submit application by June 20, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. References will not be contacted without prior authorization. Nominations are welcome. EO/EA employer.
ABOUT TUCSON, ARIZONA
Tucson is Arizona’s second-largest city, with a population of over 500,000. It lies 108 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the US-Mexico border. Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and a year-round outdoor playground boasting over 350 days of sunshine annually. The city’s central core is a vibrant area with the University of Arizona, established as Arizona's first university in 1885 and now a campus of more than 50,000 students and staff from around the world. Outdoor activities abound, including numerous well-known botanical gardens, breathtaking hiking trails that end in monsoon-rain-filled watering holes, and the Sky Island of Mount Lemmon with its cool temperatures and pine trees that offer an escape from the Sonoran Desert. Closer to the city, Tumamoc Hill, a butte located to the west, offers miles of views. Surrounding it all is The Loop, a paved multipurpose trail that’s more than 130 miles in length for bikers, horseback riders and power walkers. Saguaro National Park straddles the east and west sides of the city, with more than 91,000 acres to explore. Tucson also hosts events that draw large numbers of annual visitors including vastly popular Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, All Souls Procession, the Tucson Festival of Books, the Tucson Folk Festival, the Tucson Rodeo, and the El Tour de Tucson road bike race.
Featuring a myriad of museums and cultural organizations, Tucson is also known for its active and eclectic cultural landscape. Besides The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, other cultural attractions and museums include the Tucson Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, Center for Creative Photography, Arizona State Museum, Tucson Auto Museum, Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Arizona Theatre Company, and many more. https://www.visittucson.org
