Artistic Director

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival

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Job Summary

The Artistic Director is responsible for developing and implementing the artistic vision of the organization, promoting the mission of the organization to the greater community, and providing high-quality theatre education and community engagement for students and patrons. The Artistic Director will serve as co-leader of the organization with the Executive Director; each reports to the Board Chair.

Job Responsibilities

Artistic Supervision

• Leads the season planning process, including selecting plays, readings, and other works that resonate with the community with stakeholder feedback.
• Hires artistic staff, including directors, creative teams, performers, and teaching artists, and fosters a positive, productive, and collaborative work environment.
• Oversees the development of and ensures the high artistic quality and integrity of all productions.
• Responsible for the development of material to be performed including arrangements, edits, cuts, selection, etc.
• Directs productions as appropriate.
• Embraces other artistic vision, planning, and execution responsibilities as needed.

Board Relations

• Provides artistic leadership and guidance to the Board of Directors, ensuring that board members have the information needed to be effective stewards of the organization.
• Works with Board Committee Chairs on relevant committees to advance the goals of NSF.
• Implements the policy and directives of the Board of Directors.
• Serves as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

Development

• Plays a role in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of key donor relationships.
• Excites current donors and potential donors about NSF’s mission and impact, artistic programming, and upcoming projects.
• Assists in the development of fundraisers, ensuring that development activities always connect back to the NSF mission.
• Works with the Executive Director when developing new programming/productions to identify funding needs and opportunities. 
• Provides artistic narratives and other grants support, as requested.

Education and Community Engagement

• Assists and supports the Education Director with the Apprentice Company program including curating curriculum and teaching artist engagements.
• Works closely with the Education Director to identify ways artistic programming can be integrated into education and community engagement programming.
• Serves as program lead and facilitates monthly readings for Shakespeare Allowed! Program

Marketing

• Engages with existing audiences while finding new and creative ways to attract new audiences through artistic programming.
• Assists in the creation and development of advertising and promotional materials.

Operations

• Works with the Executive Director and the Operations Manager to develop project budgets and assists in the development of the annual budget.
• Adheres to approved budgets.
• In conjunction with the NSF Board of Directors and Executive Director, ensures the long-term financial sustainability and health of NSF.
• Participates in the development and implementation of a strategic plan with an emphasis on stakeholder feedback.

General

• Partners with the Executive Director to inspire a productive, respectful, collaborative, optimistic, and transparent work environment for all employees.
• Fosters develops, and sustains relationships with arts collaborators, community leaders, schools, and non-arts partner organizations and companies, expanding NSF’s reach into the community.
• Represents the organization to other organizations, the media, and the public at large.
• Supports and cultivates the local artist community.
• Ensures that NSF continues its leadership role locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Attends all staff meetings.

Qualifications

Work Requirements and Qualifications:

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in theater, musical theater, performing arts, education, or related field OR equivalent relevant experience. Advanced degree in theatre, performing arts, or related field preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Possess a strong desire and adept ability to actively engage with the art form of theatre and the work of Shakespeare.
• History of artistic achievement including directing theatrical productions and engaging students of all ages through theatre education programs.
• Cultural competency and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of how artistic programming and organizational operations work together.
• Strong networker who is comfortable representing NSF in the community, business, and civic spheres.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with donors, institutional funders, and corporations in a way that inspires engagement and financial investment in the work.
• Ability to teach theatre and Shakespeare in an engaging manner for students of all ages.
• Maintain a proactive, solutions-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as necessary.
• Investment and interest in the Nashville community and willingness to relocate to the Nashville area, if not local.

Experience: Proven artistic leadership including curating programming, directing theatrical productions, and managing creative teams, preferably within a nonprofit arts organization setting. Deep knowledge and fluency with Shakespeare and classical theater are expected.

Equipment: Standard office equipment including computer and software, phone, copier, etc. Proficiency with Google Suite preferred. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are a non-exhaustive list of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to handle, feel, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms above the shoulder. The employee is frequently required to sit and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Most of the work throughout the year is done in an indoor, open-office environment. This position requires work on some nights and weekends. When performances take place outside in the summer, the employee may encounter noise that is moderate and weather conditions such as heat or rain. The Nashville Shakespeare Festival is a casual and low-key work environment with flexible options to work from home when duties/responsibilities allow, and in-office time is required.

Disclaimer Statement: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this document is intended to be an accurate description of the current job, circumstances may require that other, or different tasks be performed (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

This role presents a unique opportunity to envision and lead the Nashville Shakespeare Festival into its next chapter. If you have the passion, expertise, and leadership acumen necessary to undertake this rewarding role, we encourage you to apply by Friday, March 8, 2024. To be considered, please submit a resume, cover letter detailing your relevant experience and passion for the organization’s mission, and up to five professional references (name, relationship, email, phone). All materials should be in PDF format and emailed to nsfcareers@gmail.com.

Details

• Date Posted: February 2, 2024
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Executive Leadership
• Service Area: Arts / Culture
• Start Date: 09/01/2024
• Salary Range: $75,000