ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Apply by sending your resume and letter of interest to board@neyt.org

Subject line: Artistic Director

Deadline: May 31, 2024

New England Youth Theatre (NEYT) is a non-profit theater in Brattleboro, VT celebrating its 25th year. NEYT is committed to fostering the growth of young people through the practice of theater arts in a welcoming, youth-centered community. Composed of a small staff, a robust teaching faculty, hundreds of current students and dozens of involved alumni, NEYT has a thriving culture of creative collaboration and collective decision-making. The organization is currently looking for an Artistic Director who can engage and protect all these stakeholders while upholding the vision of the organization. The Artistic Director would work closely with a Managing Director, and in direct connection with a group of staff and faculty representatives. The AD reports to the NEYT Board of Directors.

The organization has identified the following areas of focus as it moves forward:

● Honoring NEYT’s vibrant culture and outstanding reputation while harnessing the collective wisdom of staff and faculty to develop a dynamic working collaborative.

● Attracting and retaining superlative and diverse staff, faculty and visiting artists committed to the company’s mission and values and defining a clear message of inclusivity to the community at large.

● Committing to a safe, inclusive and healthy working environment that nurtures artistic expression and personal growth among NEYT students, faculty, staff and visiting artists with a particular focus on balanced and sustainable practices.

The Artistic Director will provide critical leadership in three key ways:

1. They will lead and safeguard recruitment and staff/faculty lifecycles for all artistic personnel, in addition to ensuring positive overall interpersonal relations and morale.

2. They will work together with staff and faculty to develop yearly programming, which includes reviewing & selecting proposals as well as curating a season of classes, workshops, performances and other related events.

3. They will work with the Managing Director and the Board of Directors to ensure that the organization is guided by its mission and realizes its goals for artistic excellence, community service, education, financial stability, fundraising and audience engagement.

Specific duties of an Artistic Director include, but are not limited to:

● Maintaining a regular and public presence in the building, to build connections with students, staff, faculty and community.

● Working directly with the Managing Director to develop and implement budgets.

● Holding weekly staff meetings and quarterly faculty meetings.

● Supporting, with staff/faculty, the ongoing articulation and implementation of pedagogies and policies.

● Seeking to develop collaborative projects with other nonprofit and performing arts organizations.

● Working with the Managing Director and Development Associate to identify and apply for grant funding.

● Working with the Board and Managing Director to support fundraising efforts and to build, acknowledge and support donors.

Key Competencies

• Commitment to clear and open communication & fostering of consensus

• Strength in community outreach and connection-building

• Excellence with written and oral communication skills, including public speaking

• Ability to manage conflict and demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills

• Fluency in setting boundaries and employing effective stress management

• Adherence to confidentiality and impartiality

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience, preferably in one of the following areas: Theater, Business Management, Communications, Education or Public Relations.

• Three or more years of management experience, with preferred experience in education, arts management, business operations, donor cultivation, and fundraising.

• Experience in group facilitation with an emphasis on group decision making processes.

• Proficiency in financial management skills, including budget preparation and adherence.

• Strong organizational skills including strategic planning, policy and risk oversight, information processing, decision making, delegating, program development and task facilitation.

• Previous work with a Development Committee in implementing fundraising strategies including annual appeal and donor stewardship.

• Experience in recruitment, and management of all hiring processes.

Working Conditions

Full-time, year-round, salaried position. Primarily in-person. Work hours shift according to program needs. Evening and weekend hours are common.

Benefits

Free NEYT tuition for dependents, performance tickets, paid holidays and generous time off.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person