Artistic Director

THE POSITION

We’re looking for an Artistic Director to head-up ECB’s artistic vision. You will inspire, define, articulate, and deliver the school’s artistic production, programming, education, and community outreach activities. In short, you will be the primary voice in establishing the future artistic vision of ECB and inspiring students with a holistic approach that instills the love of dance to everyone who enters our studios.

ECB is a highly collaborative group of artistic educators. We value creativity, open idea sharing and having fun while we work. Most of all, we are motivated by providing high-quality dance education to students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds and producing professional level performances in the Puget Sound region.

To continue our mission, to become a nationally recognized pre-professional ballet school that cultivates excellence in dance for everyone. We need a well-rounded Artistic Director that can conceptualize the big picture while running the day-to-day programming and cultivating a nurturing and positive environment for students, staff and families.

Your work includes teaching classes, hiring and evaluating staff and teachers, communicating with the Board of Directors, working collaboratively with the School Principal, and fostering partnerships in the community that fulfill the organization’s mission. As the AD, you will partner with the Board and staff to accomplish fundraising objectives, build donor relationships and to steer the school’s educational and community engagement activities.

As the Artistic Director you will partner with and be supported by the School Principal, School Administrator, and the Board and Parent Guild. You should have a record of successful artistic programming, choreography with an ability to lead and inspire others.

You’ll love this role if:

• You’re passionate about staging and producing classical and contemporary ballets.
• You love to invest in the growth of students and inspiring them to reach high artistic standards.
• You have an artistic and dance network to call upon and collaborate with
• You’re a proactive communicator that takes feedback in stride
• You enjoy wearing dual hats – artistic and operations of a non-profit dance organization.
• You thrive in creative, collaborative cultures, yet are disciplined, organized and able to independently manage the details of your work and support the success of staff and volunteers
• You’re self-aware, growth-minded and composed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years’ experience as a professional dancer with extensive training in classical ballet. A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or experience as an Artistic Director.
• Embrace ECB’s philosophy and adhere to ECB’s mission and strategic goals.
• Significant experience in teaching, staging classical ballets, and creating original contemporary works.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and lead educational and artistic development of the dance school.
• Broad knowledge of repertoire suitable for young dancers, including a balance of well- known classics and works from underrepresented composers.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and build rapport with developing dancers in a caring and supportive manner while recognizing that fun is important.
• Experience managing people and teams.
• Strong written, oral communication skills with experience in public speaking.
• A collaborator with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, and familiarity with Microsoft Office, Shared Documents (Google), Zoom and social media tools.

Please note: the Committee will consider candidates who have not previously held Artistic

Director positions, but applicants should have experience in management and/or

administration with a demonstrated record of successful artistic leadership.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

Artistic Leadership and Strategic Direction

• Plan and oversee all aspects of ECB’s year-round dance programming and performances by creating a season calendar that includes workshops, master classes, community outreach programs, fundraising events, and auditions/adjudications.
• Provide broad knowledge of dance repertoire, expert choreography skills, and adolescent dance development through directing ECB’s Performance Division.
• Manage productions end-to-end which includes directing Wade Walthall’s Nutcracker, 2-3 mixed rep programs, year-end demonstration, Summer Intensive, and attend all performances and key community engagement events.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to determine strategic program evolution and ensure ongoing programmatic excellence that enhances the ECB mission statement.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors and the School Principal to oversee staffing, staff guidance, evaluations, calendar scheduling, and regular communication.

Curriculum

• Lead and maintain a collaborative teaching staff, establish artistic policies and administrative oversight to deliver programs that implement ECB’s strategic initiatives.
• Develop and implement academy curriculum for all class levels.
• Partner with the School Principal to manage class staffing needs and policies for ECB’s school program, including recruiting and supervising teaching staff, creating class schedules for all programs, and filling last-minute teaching staff cancellations.
• Build strong relationships with local dancers and maintain a database of go-to teachers for substitutes, coaches, and professional dancers.
• Advise and mentor teaching staff regarding appropriate programming for the optimum experience for ECB dancers, by observing real-time interactions during rehearsals, workshops, and masterclasses.

Community Outreach and Public Benefit

• Collaborate and partner with other organizations and artists to increase ECB’s visibility.
• Analyze and understand how ECB’s dance program offerings compare to other youth dance academies in our region to articulate ECB’s value and public benefit.
• As a key spokesperson for the organization, represent ECB to our students, parents, alumni, donors, and community partners through attending and speaking at parent meetings, performances, fundraising and community events.
• Establish and maintain relationships with the local school districts (e.g., principals, music directors and dance teachers, superintendents)
• Establish and maintain leadership presence within the regional performing arts communities and beyond (e.g., orchestral music, choir, dance organizations, youth dance academies, universities, etc.)

Leadership

• Partner and collaborate with the board on strategic direction for ECB programs, fundraising, and support operations.
• Support board planning and decision-making for program support and improvement.
• Maintain current knowledge of local and national trends in dance choreography, performing arts, and youth dance programming, to improve ECB offerings.
• Attend annual Board retreat and all Board meetings and report on the artistic plan, programming, events, and staff.
• Work with the Board of Directors to ensure that class personnel needs are reflected in the annual budget and manage the staff to stay within budget.

TO APPLY:

Please submit the following:

• Cover letter including a personal statement expressing how the Mission of ECB and the Artistic Director position align with your personal and professional goals and how your professional and personal experiences have prepared you for this role.
• Resume or CV
• 3 professional references that demonstrate expertise in teaching students ages 5-18, artistic excellence in choreography and dance performance and managing people.
• Video links to work samples demonstrating the scope of your choreographic work, no longer than 30 minutes total.
• We encourage individuals from historically marginalized communities to apply.
• We currently require full vaccination for all ECB employees.

Please email the above to [email protected], inquiry welcome.

TIMELINE:

• Application Deadline: Priority consideration will be given to those who submit by 2/17
• Initial interviews anticipated: February/March 2023
• In-person teaching of dance classes: March/April 2023
• Offer anticipated: April/May 2023

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• $60,000 – $70,000 (DOE)
• Medical Benefits
• Accrued PTO, Sick Time, and Paid Holidays

Evergreen City Ballet