BUSINESS NAME: Theatre Calgary
JOB NAME: Artistic Director (NOC 5131)
LOCATION: 220 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 5C4
TYPE: Permanent, Full Time
THE ORGANIZATION
“Theatre Calgary is a national stage that stimulates, provokes, and delights with ambitious programming created to ignite local, national, and international engagement.”
Theatre Calgary, with Christopher Newton as its first Artistic Director, came into being in 1966. In 1985, Theatre Calgary became the resident company of the Max Bell Theatre in the new Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts (now Arts Commons). In this striking performance space, both grand and intimate, the company dedicated itself to large-scale productions of classics, period pieces, and musicals.
Theatre Calgary has engaged in national and international collaborations with companies such as Soulpepper, the Shaw Festival, the National Arts Centre, and American Conservatory Theater. At the same time, Theatre Calgary’s FUSE Enbridge New Play Development Program has led directly to the world premieres of several new Canadian works on the Max Bell stage. The company has also deepened its commitment to Calgary’s theatre community, presenting an annual co-production in One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo and producing Shakespeare by the Bow, which is performed each summer outdoors in Prince's Island Park, featuring young emerging artists.
Theatre Calgary became a model of strong fiscal management in the Canadian arts sector, a tradition which continues under Executive Director, Colleen A. Smith. As Theatre Calgary approaches its 50th anniversary, the company aims to set a national standard for ambitious programming, passionate community engagement, and extraordinary productions.
THE POSITION
After eleven seasons under the artistic leadership of Dennis Garnhum, Theatre Calgary is now seeking a new Artistic Director (AD) who will work in partnership with the Executive Director (ED) to help ensure the future success of the Theatre.
The Artistic Director is responsible for the artistic vision of the company, and together with the ED, jointly delivers the creative, entrepreneurial, and strategic leadership of Theatre Calgary. The AD and the ED report to the Board of Directors, and are responsible for ensuring the Theatre achieves its artistic, audience, and financial objectives.
The new AD will lead Theatre Calgary to a new level of prominence amongst top-tier theatre companies and enhance its national and international reputation and profile.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Artistic
- Provides strong, inclusive, inspirational, and high-profile leadership internally and externally to enable Theatre Calgary to achieve its artistic and strategic objectives within a changing cultural and economic environment.
- Conceives, develops, and implements an artistic vision for the Theatre consistent with its mission and values, with respect to the diversity of our local, national and international community.
- Leads and develops artistic policy with a view to the Theatre’s mandate and long-term strategic objectives; the AD will create an imaginative programme of high-quality theatre performances, at least one of which will be directed by him/her. Attracts the best directors and actors; brings to the table an existing network of distinguished national and international artists and collaborators.
- Seeks out, commissions, and supports emerging and established writers and ensures a high standard of dramaturgical input to new plays commissioned and produced by Theatre Calgary.
- Selects, secures, and/or approves all personnel directly concerned with the artistic elements of all productions. This includes guest directors, visiting companies, creative teams, actors, and other artists.
- Ensures artistic staffing structures are responsive to emerging needs and are conducive to an effective, working team.
- Develops the widest possible audience for Theatre Calgary’s work, embracing the concept of engaging audiences while extending the Theatre’s reach into Calgary’s diverse communities.
- Balances the need to contract a combination of local, national, and international talent.
- Leads Theatre Calgary’s artist training and development initiatives and helps to develop and deliver programmes supporting the next generation of Canadian artists and creative personnel as well as provides ongoing support to local talent.
- Creates a positive, open, and responsive working environment and cultural ethos that is conducive to the development of new work and attainment of the highest standards of artistic endeavour.
- Identifies and creates strategic producing partnerships, both domestic and international.
- Translates artistic needs and values into institutional strategies and operating plans.
- Balances artistic initiatives and risks with responsible fiscal management while respecting the Theatre’s mission.
- Provides leadership in setting artistic standards for creative content, communications and brand.
- Maintains the highest level of awareness in global theatre, arts, and training practices.
Creative and Entrepreneurial Co-Leadership
- Initiates and develops collaborations and creative partnerships that will support the artistic and business objectives of Theatre Calgary and help achieve our ambitions.
- The AD plays a key role in supporting development/fundraising strategy and in fostering strong relationships with existing and potential funders.
- In partnership with the ED, leads and develops strong and productive external relationships with funders, the theatre industry, the media, and other existing and potential partners to enhance Theatre Calgary’s profile and activities within Canada and internationally.
Managerial/Operations
- Together with the ED, serves as spokesperson for the Theatre as required, including interacting with patrons and volunteers to build engagement, interest and loyalty.
- Facilitates development/fundraising efforts of the Theatre by acting as the public, artistic face of the company.
- Ensures the Theatre’s artistic operations meet the highest standards at all times.
- Provides overarching artistic leadership to all creative personnel involved in Theatre Calgary productions.
Organizational and Financial
In partnership with the ED:
- Maintains oversight of production costs and ensures fiscal prudence of Board-approved annual budgets.
- Creates long-term artistic objectives which include high level financial forecasts.
- Prepares Theatre Calgary’s annual seasons with respect to advancing strategic priorities as well as maintaining financial accountability.
- Attends and reports at meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees and working groups; ensures the timely preparation of Board reports; communicates appropriate information to the Board on all artistic matters relevant to the discharge of its responsibilities at and in between Board meetings; and advises it on artistic matters.
- Maintains an open and collegial working relationship with the Board and facilitates their engagement, both as a Board and individually, with Theatre Calgary and its work.
- With the ED, oversees the recruitment, professional development, working conditions, management, and regular performance appraisal of Theatre Calgary’s staff. Ensures these align with objectives and policies, in compliance with all applicable enactments and regulations, in accordance with current best practices.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
- A demonstrated track record (five years or more) of inclusive and strategic artistic leadership, vision, collaboration and team building with strong interpersonal skills, integrity, high energy, and creativity.
- A successful record of directing significant theatre productions and developing new work on contemporary issues for the stage.
- Experience working in a leadership role in a theatre company is an asset.
- Possesses a national and international network of relationships with counterparts in other theatre companies, as well as writers, directors, musicians, choreographers and others.
- Proven ability to programme and commission new plays combined with an ability to provide dramaturgical support to writers.
- Proven record of attracting and collaborating with arts of the highest caliber, developing new projects, co-productions, creative partnerships and nurturing artists.
- An entrepreneurial spirit balanced with financial accountability and ability to help lead Theatre Calgary’s fundraising initiatives.
- Strong financial management skills and experience managing budgets. Excellent stakeholder management skills; experience reporting to a Board of Directors is an asset.
- Able to delegate, negotiate, resolve conflict, be inspiring and motivating to others, and manage performance.
- Outstanding, communication and presentation skills.
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of work to support the growth and development of artists and audiences.
- Deep knowledge of Canadian artists and playwrights.
CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES
- A visionary and creative leader with a passion and belief in the importance of Theatre Calgary.
- Clarity of artistic vision and ambition, with a passion for contemporary theatre that explores and addresses social and political issues as well as theatre that engages and entertains.
- A genuine commitment to the principles of equal opportunity, cultural diversity, and broadening access to the arts.
- An in-depth awareness of theatre activity: locally, nationally, and internationally. Brings a global perspective capable of developing international collaborations.
- A demonstrated dynamic public presence that will inspire the Board, staff, donors, and patrons to support the public vision.
- Brings large-scale ambition with a sensitivity to local culture, fostering a sense of community.
- Resilience and responsiveness to the changing external environment.
- A willingness to foster collegial relationships with peers and other members of management.
- Professional, confident, calm, and tactful approach with an ability to deal with a wide variety of people.
- A team player who works well with staff to create and mount a production, with a supportive and empowering management style.
- A commitment to contribute to the local community as a resident of Calgary.
- Undergraduate degree or experiential equivalent.
- Able and willing to work 40 to 60 hours per week, as required.
COMPENSATION
A competitive, experienced-based compensation package will be provided with an annual base salary between $130,000.00 to $160,000.00. Benefits include: Board-approved bonus, disability benefits, gratuities, medical benefits, mileage paid, dental benefits, group insurance benefits, life insurance benefits, RRSP benefits, and vision care benefits.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your application by emailing your cover letter and résumé to: theatrecalgary@searchlightcanada.com. You may also mail your application to Theatre Calgary at: 220 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2G 5C4.
Theatre Calgary is an equal-opportunity employer.
