Who We Are:
The Kennedy Center is the nation’s cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Center presents more than 2,000 performances each year across all genres, and is also home to artistic affiliates Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra. Diversity is a critical component of our mission, vision, and values. Our staff exhibits a wide variety of perspectives and experiences which enable us to foster and strengthen an environment of diversity and inclusion.
Mission Statement: As the nation’s performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across America and around the world, reaching and connecting with artists, inspiring and educating communities. We welcome all to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts.
Job Description:
The Director of Classical and New Music Programs oversees Kennedy Center Classical and New Music Programs, including DIRECT CURRENT contemporary culture immersion; the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts, the Composer-In-Residence residency, new music concerts and contributes to programming for Renée Fleming VOICES. This post will also guide season planning for the Center as it relates to commissioning and creation of new works across all genres.
The person in this position has a strong background in classical music, new music and a background in multi-genre commissioning and presenting. This individual is also a champion of contemporary culture and the work of innovative artists living today.
This person will lead and direct artistic and operational planning for classical and new music programs, including chamber music, new music, vocal music, orchestral music, and electronica as well as working with other curators center-wide to maximize programming, which champions the intersections of new music and the performing arts and/or fine arts. Curate music, dance, theater, opera and orchestral works for DIRECT CURRENT contemporary culture immersion. Work collaboratively with Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence, Fortas Artistic Director and other artistic leaders both internally and externally to develop relevant and excellent programming as well as to raise the profile of classical and new music activities at the Kennedy Center. Oversee all classical and new music presentations at the Kennedy Center; cultivate relationships with outside presenters and form collaborations with both internal programmers outside presenters, artists and producers, to ensure maximization of excellent classical and New Music programming at the Kennedy Center and the REACH. Lead Marketing, PR and Development teams to ensure that the organization is working effectively to support the programming.
Duties and Responsibilities:
30% DIRECT CURRENT
Serves as Kennedy Center lead and point person for festival in all capacities. Curates, directs and oversees festival. Works collaboratively with various leaders and relevant departments in the Kennedy Center to realize the festival (finance, marketing, sales, production, PR, orchestra outreach, etc.). Defines and develops Kennedy Center constituents (NSO and WNO) role in the festival. Keeps abreast of national and international new music scene and collaborate with artists, outside presenters and producers to curate a successful multi-genre festival.
25% Fortas Chamber Music Concerts
Collaborates with the artists, managers and the Artistic Director to shape the artistic (and revenue) goals of the series; keep abreast of current national and international programming trends in order to stay current and relevant. Creates and maintains relationships with managers and leaders in the field; works with Kennedy Center SVP of Programming to develop and achieve long-term strategic goals for the series and for chamber music at the Kennedy Center. Facilitates Fortas Trustee meetings and ensures their compliance with the Fund bylaws. Negotiates artist fees. Creates and manages budgets. Commissioning: works with artists, composers and other presenters to develop chamber music commissions. Develops new audiences through programming, marketing and education initiatives. Serves as the face of Fortas to the public and outside organizations. Assists Development office with fundraising efforts.
20% Kennedy Center Commissioning and New Works Planning
Working across the Kennedy Center in collaboration with all primary areas of programming curation (including NSO, WNO, Education, and Social Impact). The incumbent acts as a champion for new work (either commissioned or devised) to ensure the work and the artists involved in the creation of that work are provided the full breadth of opportunity the Kennedy Center and its related networks locally and nationally can provide. Advises on commissions as relates to season planning. This section is a duplicate from the first paragraph. Perhaps keep it here and delete above?
15% Composer-In-Residence
Collaborates with Composer-in Residence (CIR) to create, develop and deliver center wide programming as an outcome from this artist’s vision, in collaboration with the appropriate Kennedy Center teams. Negotiates and executes CIR contract. Develops CIR concept and role with Kennedy Center programmers, artistic leaders and staff. Creates connections and opportunities for CIR involvement at the Center; help CIR to create a narrative about their unique vision and goals of residency at the Kennedy Center; define the cultural conversation that will result from the CIR’s tenure at the Kennedy Center. Serves as contact/liaison to CIR in order to facilitate connections to other programmers and artistic leaders at the Kennedy Center. Contracts musicians for concerts. Works with Kennedy Center programmers to identify areas of opportunity with CIR. Works with CIR to achieve his/her/their creative vision of innovative presentation of music across genres at the Kennedy Center. Oversees schedule of commissions for CIR over the course of his/her/their contract. Creates and manages budgets. Hires and supervises librarian for new music concerts. Develops and updates programming sheets and keeps relevant staff updated on programming developments. Assists Development office with fundraising.
5% Renée Fleming VOICES
Works with the internal team leading this series as well as Renée Fleming to curate classical/new music performances as a part of a balanced series offering. Oversees presentation of concerts.
5% Other classical + new music programming duties as assigned
Curates, oversees and directs orchestral bookings and other music bookings, as aligned with Kennedy Center programming priorities.
N/A Responds to the needs and requests of Kennedy Center management and staff in a professional and expedient manner; Adheres to all employer policies and procedures.
Key Qualifications:
- A.B./B.A. or graduate degree in Music encouraged.
- At least 10 years’ experience in arts management or related field.
- Past performing arts experience a plus.
- Demonstrated experience with orchestra management and activity related to Collective Bargaining Agreements.
- Demonstrated experience producing concerts and events.
- Demonstrated experience effectively managing and developing staff.
- Comprehensive knowledge of classical and new music repertoire (symphonic, chamber, opera, avant-garde, jazz, world music, etc.).
- Excellent contacts in the music field (musicians, presenting colleagues, publishers, managers, agents, etc.).
- Must have strong leadership abilities, excellent writing and communication skills and the ability to facilitate creative collaborations with artists.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and on the telephone. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel in order to operate computer keyboard, office equipment, and other essential tasks. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, crouch, and reach with hands and arms. This position infrequently lifts, carries, or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment:
The noise level in the work environment is normal.
Travel up to 10% may be required.
Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive range of benefits to all full-time employees including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, and a matching 403(b) Retirement Plan.
Additional benefits include: Commuter Programs, Education Assistance Programs, Social Activities, and other employee discounts and specials.
Find one job in US 