Artistic Director

New Village Arts Inc • Carlsbad, CA

7d • $100,000 - $115,000

About The Position

New Village Arts seeks a vision-driven, creative executive with business acumen to lead the theatre company into its next era. The Artistic Director will share institutional leadership as a co-equal partner with the Managing Director; both positions report independently to the Board of Directors. This public-facing role sets the artistic vision; oversees programming, productions, education and artistic development; casts and hires artists and staff; directs and produces; manages and grows earned revenue; expands audiences; participates in financial management and fundraising; and manages creative and technical staff.

New Village Arts (NVA) is a professional theatre company in Carlsbad, California, producing a full season on its 100-seat Ray Charles Stage and presenting comedy, music, opera, dance, spoken word, and performance art on the White Family Next Stage. The company is known for adventurous artistic programming, community partnerships, and work reflecting the diversity and complexity of the region. NVA has a current annual budget of $2 million, including $1 million in earned revenue sources under the Artistic Director's purview and $1 million derived from fundraising. The role offers an opportunity to cultivate audiences, expand community reach, and develop collaborative partnerships.

The Artistic Director develops and oversees annual and long-term artistic programming, including season selection, production planning, new work, special events, and educational or community-based programming. The role balances artistic ambition, audience interests, mission priorities, and available resources; oversees production execution and artistic personnel; and directs one to two productions per season. The Director also works with the Managing Director on budgets and financial stewardship, contributes to fundraising, and oversees education and artistic development programs.

The Artistic Director serves as NVA's primary artistic spokesperson and builds relationships with audiences, donors, community organizations, educational institutions, cultural partners, and other arts organizations. The position supports broader participation and an inclusive, collaborative environment in which artists can take creative risks and develop their skills.

Requirements

• At least five years of progressive leadership experience working in live theatre as high-level artistic staff.
• Ability to define a unique creative identity and communicate that vision clearly to artists and audiences.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with a proven track record of hiring, supervising, and evaluating directors, actors, designers, and production staff.
• Ability to balance creative desires with operational discipline and financial stewardship.
• Outstanding marketing, public relations, audience-development, and community-building skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated track record of championing an organization publicly with professionalism, credibility, and enthusiasm.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee annual and long-term artistic programming, including season selection, production planning, new work, special events, and educational or community-based programming.
• Select plays and other theatrical works that demonstrate artistic excellence, engage audiences, and reflect diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences.
• Balance artistic ambition, audience interests, mission priorities, and available financial and operational resources.
• Identify opportunities for artistic innovation, collaboration, and new-work development; evaluate artistic impact and use feedback to inform future planning and financial health.
• Develop artistic plans that reflect the company's financial resources and operational capacity.
• Partner with the Managing Director to build production and artistic budgets, manage them to desired outcomes, and present an annual budget to the Board for approval.
• Steward organizational resources, including production funds, personnel, facilities, and equipment.
• Participate in grant applications, fundraising campaigns, sponsorship initiatives, donor cultivation, and donor communications as appropriate.
• Create opportunities for earned revenue, contributed income, co-productions, partnerships, and other support for artistic programming.
• Oversee education and artistic development programs, including the Dea Hurston Fellowship, Phifer-Collins Stage Management Fellowship, college acting apprenticeships, Feeling Good, and A Walk with Yaamay.
• Provide the Board with timely information and reports on artistic activities, production outcomes, and future plans; participate in Board and committee meetings, strategic discussions, and organizational planning as appropriate.
• Respect financial, personnel, and governance policies and operate within the authority delegated by the Board.
• Oversee the artistic development and execution of all productions.
• Engage and collaborate with directors, actors, designers, playwrights, dramaturgs, stage managers, and other creative personnel.
• Secure performance rights and licensing.
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate directors, designers, actors, and other creative or technical personnel.
• Direct one to two productions per season and oversee guest directors, staging quality, and technical execution.
• Establish artistic standards and support a collaborative, respectful, and productive rehearsal and production environment.
• Work with production and technical staff to ensure artistic goals fit established schedules, budgets, staffing, and venue capabilities.
• Attend rehearsals, performances, and production meetings as appropriate to maintain artistic oversight.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and regional artists and creative professionals; recruit, engage, and retain artists who support the company's artistic vision.
• Foster an inclusive environment where artists can take creative risks, develop their skills, and contribute meaningfully.
• Ensure artistic personnel are treated professionally and that expectations, responsibilities, and working conditions are clearly communicated and supported.
• Serve as NVA's primary artistic spokesperson in the community and media and advocate visibly and articulately for the theatre and its artistic mission.
• Build relationships with audiences, donors, community organizations, educational institutions, cultural partners, and other arts organizations.
• Participate in audience engagement activities, including discussions, public presentations, post-performance conversations, and community events.
• Support initiatives that broaden participation, welcome new audiences, and strengthen the theatre's connection to its community.
• Communicate the relevance, value, and impact of live theatre to the public and prospective supporters.

Benefits

• Medical insurance, with NVA paying 80% of the monthly premium.
• Optional dental and vision insurance, paid by the employee.
• Access to a retirement plan with a 3% match opportunity after one year of service.
• Generous paid time off benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed