Associate Artistic & Education Director

Deep End Talent Strategies•Indianapolis, IN

2d•$80,000 - $85,000

About The Position

The Associate Artistic & Education Director is a strategic, collaborative, and values-driven leader responsible for advancing The Cabaret's artistic programming, education initiatives, talent development pipeline, and community engagement efforts. Reporting to and working closely with the Artistic Director & CEO, this role helps shape and execute the organization's artistic vision while providing leadership for The Cabaret Conservatory and related educational programs. As a key member of the leadership team, the Associate Artistic & Education Director oversees artist engagement, educational programming, strategic partnerships, and artistic operations. The position balances long-term planning with day-to-day execution, ensuring artistic excellence, educational impact, and meaningful community connections. Responsibilities span artistic planning, artist and industry relations, education leadership, community partnerships, production coordination, program management, and support for marketing and development initiatives. This role plays a central part in strengthening The Cabaret's reputation as a nationally recognized center for performance, artist development, and arts education. All employees are expected to embody The Cabaret's values: We Deliver the WOW, We Practice Radical Hospitality, We Welcome Everyone, We Lift Each Other Up, and We Do the Right Thing. The ideal candidate combines artistic curiosity, educational leadership, relationship-building expertise, and operational excellence. They possess a deep understanding of the performing arts ecosystem, a passion for nurturing emerging artists and students, and the ability to build meaningful connections among artists, educators, donors, community partners, and audiences. A flexible schedule is required, including some evenings and weekends for performances, educational programs, special events, and artist residencies.

Requirements

Degree in Arts Administration, Performing Arts, Education, Nonprofit Management, or related field.
7-10+ years of progressively responsible experience in artistic programming, arts administration, producing, talent booking, arts education leadership, or related fields.
A passion for the entertainment industry and a keen interest in performing arts events.
Demonstrated experience managing programs, partnerships, projects, and budgets.
Experience supervising staff, teaching artists, interns, volunteers, or contractors.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Exceptional organizational, multitasking, planning, and project management skills.
Proficiency in office software, scheduling tools, and relevant talent booking applications.
Meticulous accuracy when handling financial figures and legal contracts.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on implementation.
Commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and values-driven leadership.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Arts Administration, Performing Arts, Education, Business, or related discipline.
Experience working within a performing arts presenting organization.
Experience in artist development, artist representation, arts education, or professional training programs.
Experience with grant-funded programming and impact measurement.
Established professional network within the performing arts industry.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the development of annual and multi-year artistic programming, working closely with the Artistic Director & CEO to shape programming plans and lead their execution in support of The Cabaret’s mission, audience engagement, and financial sustainability.
Support season planning, artist selection, repertoire development, and special artistic initiatives.
Partner with the Artistic Director & CEO to cultivate and maintain relationships with artists, agents, managers, producers, presenters, and industry leaders to strengthen programming and The Cabaret's national profile.
Identify and develop artist residencies, mentorship opportunities, commissions, and other artist development initiatives.
Monitor industry trends, audience interests, and emerging talent to inform innovative and mission-aligned programming.
Ensure artistic programming reflects The Cabaret's commitment to excellence, inclusion, belonging, and radical hospitality.
Lead the implementation and day-to-day execution of The Cabaret Conservatory and all educational initiatives, in alignment with the Artistic Director & CEO’s vision and oversight, ensuring artistic excellence, participant engagement, program quality, and meaningful impact.
Design and oversee educational pathways that connect student experiences to professional and artistic development opportunities.
Develop and implement workshops, masterclasses, showcases, mentorships, intensives, and student performance opportunities.
Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate teaching artists, education partners, interns, fellows, and apprentices.
Foster a culture of creativity, growth, belonging, and lifelong learning for students and emerging artists.
Establish learning outcomes, assess program effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement and innovation.
Oversee The Cabaret’s digital artistic program, ensuring that digital content reflects the organization’s artistic vision, brand standards, and commitment to artistic excellence.
Manage artist-facing approvals for digital and promotional assets, including performance videos and photography, coordinating with artists and management to secure timely approvals and maintain organized records of approved materials.
Oversee the artistic content and ongoing management of The Cabaret’s YouTube channel, which generates more than 2 million views annually, including the selection, organization, approval, and publication of performance content.
Collaborate across artistic, marketing, production, and administrative teams to coordinate digital content workflows, maximize the value and reach of The Cabaret’s performance archive, and strengthen audience engagement across digital platforms.
Develop and sustain strategic partnerships with schools, universities, arts organizations, community groups, and industry partners.
Create collaborative opportunities that expand educational access, audience engagement, and community impact.
Serve as an ambassador for The Cabaret's artistic and educational initiatives in the community and field.
Support outreach and audience development efforts, including SophistiTIX and other initiatives that engage emerging and underserved audiences.
Represent The Cabaret at performances, public events, conferences, and industry gatherings to strengthen relationships and visibility.
Manage the administrative aspects of the artist booking process, including maintaining the annual master performance and conflicts calendars; preparing offers and deal memos; and tracking performance offers, contracts, and rider requirements to ensure timely execution and contractual compliance.
Collaborate cross-functionally with internal departments to ensure seamless event planning and execution, effective communication, and an exceptional artist experience.
Oversee administrative and operational functions supporting educational programming, including artist engagement, scheduling, contracts, communications, hospitality, and logistics.
Collaborate with Production, Audience Experience, Marketing, and Advancement teams to ensure successful planning and execution of programs and events.
Maintain effective systems, records, workflows, master calendars and project management processes that promote accountability, efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.
Support organizational planning, budgeting, reporting, and policy compliance related to artistic and educational initiatives.
Partner with Advancement and Marketing teams to support fundraising, donor engagement, sponsorships, grant initiatives, and storytelling that communicates program and mission impact.
Serve as a public-facing representative of The Cabaret through speaking engagements, donor and community events, artist conversations, and educational programs.
Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development for assigned staff and artistic personnel while contributing to organizational strategy and board-level initiatives as assigned.