Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal is one of North America’s leading contemporary ballet companies. Its reputation has been reinforced by many international touring successes: North America, Europe (Madrid, Berlin, Munich Paris, Venice and Milan).and the Middle East. A leader among Montreal’s cultural institutions, the company now presents works by up-and-coming artists—Christian Spuck, Stephan Thoss, Stijn Celis, Shen Wei, Didy Veldman—and renowned choreographers such as Jiří Kylián, Mats Ek and Ohad Naharin.
The company is also strongly committed to the local community. Since 1997, The Nutcracker Fund for Children has given thousands of children from disadvantaged communities an unforgettable holiday season, with educational workshops and a free performance of The Nutcracker. In 2010, Les Grands Ballets launched The Nutcracker Market—Montreal’s first non-profit Christmas market—to raise money for the Fund.
Les Grands Ballets is currently preparing a number of large-scale projects, in particular those for the National Centre for Dance Therapy, launched in 2013. The company will also be relocating in 2016 to its new premises, L’Édifice Wilder: Espace danse, in the heart of Montreal’s Quartier des spectacles, a unique creative crossroads to include new studios, a creation studio, a café, a restaurant and an atrium. This move is part of the Company’s plan to implement a holistic vision that would promote all benefits – aesthetics, entertainment, wellness, – yielded by dance.
With an annual budget in excess of $14 million the 36 dancer company performs a three-program subscription season and Fernand Nault’s acclaimed Nutcracker. Two guest classical ballet companies round out the subscription season at Place des Arts, in addition to the Nutcracker run-out to Quebec City every other year. The company features one of the most extensive and unique repertoire of ballets of any North American company.
The search committee is looking forward to the continued growth of the Company’s international reputation, artistic quality and outstanding repertoire, from an Artistic Director, who has superb taste, the ability to identify and develop future leading choreographers and produce creations that excite, entertain and uplift the hearts and minds of the audience. The new director will take a holistic approach to LGBC’s leadership position for dance in the community and embrace the strategic direction of Moving the world. Differently.
LGBC features an ensemble of superb dancers who embody the versatility of contemporary dance expression, built on a solid foundation of classically based ballet technique. The artists are expected to dance all styles, classical, neo-classical, and contemporary. At the highest possible level. The challenge for the new artistic director is to continue to build an exciting new artistic future on the company’s tradition of success.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Artistic Director is the Chief Artistic Officer of the Company. Reporting directly to the Board, the AD is responsible for the company’s look, style, quality, repertoire, choreography and programming, in addition to being the artistic leader of ballet training and community programs. With a mind to fiscal responsibility, and a vision that includes the community’s desire for entertainment in balance with artistic achievement, the artistic director develops the working atmosphere and environment for artistic growth of the dancers, through exciting artistic plans and an accomplished artistic staff.
SPECIAL SKILLS:
The AD must be able to plan and execute exciting artistic programs on an international scale, continuing the tradition of the LGBC. The ideal candidate has dedicated his/her life to developing exciting ballet companies, with preferred experience as an artistic director. The candidate can demonstrate an ability to continue to raise the high artistic standard of the company. It is important that the AD leads the company by working in the studio, as a teacher, coach, repetiteur, or choreographer. A reputation for artistic quality and the contacts and ability to bring the world’s greatest contemporary choreographer’s work to the repertoire of the Company, as acquisitions or creations. The ability to identify and attract the best dancers, teachers, coaches, designers, composers and upcoming choreographers to Montreal. Personally at ease with public speaking, community relations, and fund-raising, the artistic director serves as one of the Company’s primary ambassador and is willing to become a part of the Montreal community. The ability to speak French or a willingness to learn is essential.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The compensation package will be developed to meet the candidate’s experience and capabilities.
TO APPLY:
Send letters of interest and resumes no later than October 15th 2015 by e-mail to Ms. Rosalind Bell, Genovese, Vanderhoof & Associates, 284 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1P4, email:gvarosalind@gmail.com, www.genovesevanderhoof.com
For more information regarding the LGBC: www.grandsballet.ca