Artistic Director

About the Position

The Austin Chamber Music Center (ACMC) seeks a new Artistic Director. The Austin-based position is salaried, full-time, and works collaboratively alongside the Executive Director, both reporting directly to the Board of Directors. With an anticipated start date of summer/fall 2024, the position is responsible for the artistic and educational programs that are at the core of ACMC’s mission as well as helping to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization.

Now in its 43rd season, ACMC is Central Texas’s leading presenter of chamber music, producing a season of chamber music concerts as well as a summer Chamber Music Festival featuring world-class concerts and educational outreach by leading international chamber ensembles. ACMC’s work also includes comprehensive educational and outreach programming with a school year Chamber Music Academy, In-School Coaching Program, a Summer Workshop, and Coltman Chamber Music Competition as well as Outreach Programs that include concerts in schools, retirement communities, and other community centers.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will demonstrate most or all of the following qualifications:

  • A passion for ACMC’s mission which is to “create chamber music experiences that connect, educate, and inspire our community.”
  • Extensive knowledge of chamber music repertoire and artists.
  • 3+ years of artistic planning, programming, and performance experience, exemplifying a proven track-record of artistic quality, creativity, and innovation.
  • Proven experience working regularly with artists and a current network of international and domestic artists and industry contacts.
  • Experience in non-profit performing arts administration, including marketing and fundraising.
  • Bachelor’s Degree required, Advanced Degree in Music Performance preferred (Master’s, DMA, Artist Diploma).
  • Ability to carry out the items in the job description below.

Job Description

Artistic Director

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Artistic Director (AD) will be responsible for the artistic and educational programs that are the heart of the ACMC brand, ensuring the artistic quality, educational impact, and financial sustainability of the organization. The Artistic Director manages all aspects of the artistic and educational operations of the Austin Chamber Music Center, aiming to engage and inspire all of the organization’s constituents, including audiences, students, musicians, donors, and stakeholders. The AD will be charged with developing and implementing artistic and educational programs appropriate to a high-growth, mission-driven arts organization. The AD will have the following responsibilities:

Strategy and Vision

  • Working in partnership with the Board of Directors and the Executive Director (ED), review and update the strategic plan, implementing activities and processes to achieve it.
  • Identify ways to improve and expand the performance, outreach, and educational programs of ACMC to grow the prestige and fiscal integrity of the organization.
  • Expand and diversify ACMC’s audience and donor base by creating imaginative and innovative concerts, strengthening associations with the world’s leading artists, and collaborating with other organizations and ensembles.
  • Seek out new opportunities for growth through touring and artistic collaboration.

Artistic Leadership

  • Curate and produce concert programs, selecting collaborating musicians and ensembles.
  • Set annual performance calendar including Intimate Concert/Synchronism Season, the Austin Chamber Music Summer Festival, and A Charlie Brown Christmas, as well as community engagement concerts and fundraising events.
  • Negotiate and set contract details for performing artists.
  • Organize musicians and programs for regularly occurring concerts in Retirement Home Communities.
  • When appropriate, serve as principal instrumentalist: musically prepare, organize, and lead rehearsals for season concerts, special events, and select festival concerts.
  • Present and host all professional concerts of ACMC by welcoming audiences, introducing artists, and providing ‘live program notes’ and commentary throughout the concert.
  • Produce the Austin Chamber Music Festival in collaboration with the Executive Director and staff.
  • Negotiate schedule for Festival Artists, which include transportation, donor visits, educational outreach, rehearsals, performances, and meals.
  • Supervise Program & Events Manager in coordinating items for all concerts (providing contract rider items, sound and light reinforcements, and additional staffing).
  • Cultivate ongoing relationships with arts and community partners throughout central Texas (musicians and leaders).
  • Explore new opportunities for concert series that engage new and diverse audiences.

Educational Oversight

  • Regularly assess current educational programs and create strategy to implement new programs.
  • Advise Director of Education in the selection of new teachers.
  • Advise in repertoire selection for ensembles when needed.
  • Recommend and coordinate master class artists to teach for Academy, In-school, and Adult programs.
  • Conduct master classes to the above programs on a semi-regular basis.
  • Assess and evaluate Academy ensembles at Final Concerts each semester.
  • Provide strategic leadership for special annual/semi-annual events including Coltman Chamber Music Competition and collaborations with other organizations.
  • Choose and invite judges for the annual Coltman Chamber Music Competition. Serve as host and emcee for Coltman Competition Ceremonies.

Marketing, PR, and Development Initiatives

  • Represent ACMC as key spokesperson with the media as necessary.
  • Work in partnership with the ED for development, donor stewardship, and marketing initiatives i.e.:
    • Meet regularly with board members, prospective board members, donors, and prospective donors throughout the year.
    • Choose performance recordings, edit, and produce the annual “Best of CD” for donors and patrons.
    • Approve the planning, scheduling, copy-writing, and contracting of radio advertising for all ACMC events.
    • Provide all programming and personnel info for Season and Festival programs and print materials to Marketing and Communications Manager, including informational/promotional blurbs for each concert.
    • Work with marketing team on overall look and feel of campaigns, advising on artwork and general marketing themes. Serve as the final approval for all print materials.
    • Produce or collaborate to produce videos promoting the events of ACMC, including the annual “Festival Focus,” a series of video interviews with upcoming festival artists.
    • Choose and create audio/visual materials for grants, including the production of performance audio recordings and edited coaching videos.
  • Represent ACMC at conferences, including the Chamber Music America Conference when possible.

Salary & Benefits

Salary is negotiable based on each candidate’s experience.

  • Health/dental/vision insurance benefits fully covered
  • Participation in a SIMPLE IRA program with a 3% employer match
  • Six weeks of paid time off: Three weeks of flexible paid time off plus three weeks of institutional paid time off when the office is closed (Thanksgiving week, post-Festival/Workshop, winter holiday)

To Apply

Please complete the application form here by April 1, 2024. The required materials include:

  • Resume (.pdf upload)
  • Letter of intent (.pdf upload)
  • Performance samples (YouTube link)
  • Video introduction for performance sample (YouTube link)
  • Artistic pitch (YouTube link)

Detailed guidelines for each of these uploads are provided in the form. For technical questions, email info@austinchambermusic.org.

Austin Chamber Music Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.