Job Title: Performance Director

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary Range: $60,000-$70,000

Priority Deadline: October 8, 2021

The Creative Alliance is Baltimore’s premier multi-arts venue with a mission to present and promote artists, performers, and filmmakers; engage diverse audiences; and improve the quality of life in Baltimore City through community-based arts and education programs. Creative Alliance is entering an exciting time as it lays out a new strategic plan for the future and has broken ground on a second building, the Creativity Center.

As an inclusive community that works toward being an anti-racist organization, Creative Alliance strongly encourages applicants of all ages, races, classes, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, and physical abilities.

Position Overview: Creative Alliance Performance Director works to further the mission of Creative Alliance by conceiving, producing, and collaborating on performance-based programming. The Performance Director is a bridge-builder between artists and communities and a champion for the critical role of performance-based artistic practice. This position produces Creative Alliance’s signature live performance series, booking an eclectic array of over 100+ performances annually featuring local, national, and international artists, attracting an annual audience to Creative Alliance of over 15,000. This position reports to the Executive Director, collaborates with other staff as they develop programs, works closely with the Marketing Team to promote performance. The Performance Director supervises the Community Arts Liaison, the Front of House & Rentals Manager and works collaboratively with the Technical Director.

Principal Responsibilities:

Performance Program - 70%

• Vision
  • Manage the dynamic performance program involving regional, national, and international artists from a diverse range of traditions, styles, backgrounds; booking 100+ events annually
  • Create unique programming both in house and offsite at locations around Baltimore
  • Create strategic partnerships for off-site programming.
  • Work to maximize relationships between performers and communities, developing programs that grow directly out of community interests and traditions

• Planning & Execution
  • Negotiate and execute contract agreements for all performances, generally 100 - 130 events annually
  • Manage performance budget in excess of $300,000 and meet income goals
  • Maintain ASCAP/BMI licenses and manage all relevant reporting
  • Work collaboratively with Technical Director to determine event technical needs and advance shows with artists

• Marketing & Promotion
  • Facilitate the development and implementation of creative marketing approaches and sponsorships for performance programs, including developing promotional partnerships, in tandem with Creative Alliance marketing team
  • Provide promotional copy and secure marketing materials for website, weekly emails, targeted emails and other social media, bi-monthly printed calendar
  • Act as public face of the organization on stage and in media as needed
• Representation in Arts Community
  • Represent the organization as part of the Jazz Touring Network and Folk & Traditional Arts Touring Network
  • Represent the organization at National and International conferences (Association of Performing Arts Professionals etc.)
  • Advise partner organizations as needed for artists and cultural suggestions
  • Serve as the point of contact for the Maryland Traditions Program of the Maryland State Arts Council, representing Creative Alliance as the Baltimore Folklife Center

Management - 20%

• Attend and participate in organizational Leadership Team activities
• Provide supervision to Community Arts Liaison and Front of House & Rentals Manager
• Manage budgets and participate in annual and program budgeting processes
• Participate in operations and staffing conversations and offer guidance as needed
• Participate in weekly staff meeting and manage reporting out of team
• Guide audience experience efforts and work with direct supports to improve the audience experience
• Provide guidance to direct supports with efforts towards creating a more equitable environment for staff and audience

Shared Responsibilities - 10%

Creative Alliance expects all staff to participate in organization-wide events and activities. Specific roles and responsibilities that individual staff may have for these events and activities are developed in partnership with supervisor. Events and activities include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Major Organization Events:
  • Art To Dine For
  • Kite Fest
  • Marquee Ball
  • Great Halloween Lantern Parade
• Social justice and racial equity, diversity, and inclusion training and activities
• Development efforts including researching and participating in the writing of grants and the cultivations of donors through the performance program,
• Strategic Planning
• Board/Staff Annual Retreat(s)

Qualifications and Experience:

Required Education and Professional Experience

• At least 3 years of programming experience, negotiating, and executing artists’ contracts within the concert/performing arts industry
• At least 3 years of budget management experience
• Prior experience directly managing full-time staff members

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong commitment to and excitement for the mission of Creative Alliance
• Experience in working with performing artists and production team in a dynamic, fluid work environment
• Knowledge of music and performance programming trends
• Understanding of non-profit budgeting processes
• Proven experience in negotiating and contracting
• Effective time management skills and detail orientation with experience in managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines
• Ability to communicate and work well within a team and with external partners
• Self-driven with proven initiative
• Ability to problem-solve quickly in high-energy settings
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs
• Evening and weekend hours required
• Occasional travel required
• Ability to work onsite in Baltimore with some flexibility for remote work
• Fluency in Spanish, French, or Arabic a plus but not required

To apply, complete the application form at the link below which consists of application questions, submission of a resume, and submission of a programming history including no more than 30 musicians/performers and the venue in which these performances were hosted. Applications not submitted through the web form and incomplete applications will not be considered. Please, no calls. Direct any questions to [email protected].

Application link: https://forms.gle/2ZcHg6QLS681mveK6

Applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline of October 8, 2021. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after that date.

*Please note: applications are ONLY being accepted through the creative alliance website and application form.