Artistic Director

Artistic Director

Artistic Director, Music Theater at The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ

The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) is a globally renowned facility showcasing the world’s

instruments and musical cultures like no other museum on earth.

MIM’s Music Theater is a 300-seat gem located within the 200,000 square foot facility.

Impeccable acoustics, sight lines, audience comfort and a talented production team combine

with state-of-the-art lighting and backstage resources to offer a rare and special presentation

opportunity for artists and audiences.

MIM’s Music Theater was designed and built with the same passion for music that fills the

museum. It is one of the best theaters of its size in the world, not only because of its

exceptional acoustics, comfort, and technical capabilities, but also because it is part of MIM –

the most extensive collection of musical instruments from around the world in any one

location.

MIM’s Music Theater presents over 280 concerts annually that span the cultures and genres of

the world. The Theater’s high quality and its unique relationship to the Museum have helped

establish a reputation that attracts artists not normally presented in a theater of its size. The

Theater has also developed a level of trust with MIM guests and the community for the range

and quality of its concerts.

MIM is looking for a candidate who can preserve this tradition, build on it, and carry the MIM

Music Theater forward into the next decade.

The Music Theater must maintain the highest possible standards for all of its related

constituencies, including performing artists, theater and museum guests, and donors. These

standards include the entire artist and guest experience – onstage, offstage, and backstage.

The MIM Theater Artistic Director is a Senior Leader of the Musical Instrument Museum and

reports to Museum’s Executive Director. He or she must be a highly motivated individual with

an extensive knowledge of music, from jazz, bluegrass, hip-hop, folk and classical to the music

of numerous world cultures. It is not necessary to be an expert in all of these genres, but the

individual who is selected must have a working knowledge of and passion for music.

The MIM Theater Artistic Director must have a commitment to excellence, be able to make

decisions quickly, have a positive disposition, and foster an attitude of mutual respect with

fellow team members, artists, and museum / theater guests. Fast, friendly, and effective are

essential.

The candidate must have extensive relationships in the touring music community, both with

artists and agents. Ideally, the candidate should have at least 8 years of experience

programming or arranging concerts.


He or she must also understand what concert presentation costs from start to finish, have a

solid understanding of concert finances, including artist fees, production expenses, and concert

income.

The Theater’s Artistic Director will need to arrange concerts that not only maintain high levels

of quality, but also preserve and enhance the museum’s financial stability. This requires

understanding audience tastes as well as artistic merit.

The new Artistic Director will need to need to learn about historical programming at the

Musical Instrument Museum and understand the relationship of Theater programming to

MIM’s curatorial, educational, public programming, and financial priorities, and use this

information to develop and curate programming to support these goals

The MIM Theater Artistic Director’s primary responsibilities are:

• Oversee the operations, booking and administration of the theater and its team in

coordination with the Theater Manager

• Develop and execute plans for presenting a diverse variety of up to 280 concerts per

year that balance artistic ambition with strong financial management.

• Actively curate and book performance/artist/events featuring national, and

international artists, maintaining MIM’s calendar of year-round performances to meet

both financial and artistic goals.

• Work closely with the MIM Theater Manager to add local and regional artist

performances to the calendar.

• Develop and monitor concert budgets and pricing strategies and negotiate contracts.

• Develop annual budgets in collaboration with the Theater Manager, Production

Manager, and the Finance Team.

• Work closely with the Education and Public Programs teams to, whenever possible,

mindfully reflect and support their programs

• Partner with Marketing and Guest Service to gain greater understanding of audience

and ticket buyer demographics and work with the MIM Creative team to successfully

promote and market concerts

• Act as an ambassador and advocate for MIM with artists, booking agents, industry

colleagues, and the public.

• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with constituents, funders, and donors,

including but not limited to the MIM Theater Producers Circle donors and corporate

concert sponsors.

• Design and present three live presentations for a donors preview every four months

announcing and describing approximately 40 to 50 upcoming concerts

• Research and propose new opportunities for individual concerts and series keeping a

balance between mission-based work, Donor & Sponsor funded programs and audience

driven programs.

• Partner with Marketing and Guest Service to gain greater understanding of audience

and ticket buyer demographics to determine feasibility of each series.


• Partner with Education team on understanding student demographics as it may relate to

Education/Family/Youth Series.

• Prepare quarterly reports for MIM’s quarterly Board of Directors meetings and present

these reports in person

The successful candidate must:

 Be available to work extended and flexible hours and work schedules, including evenings,

weekends and holidays based on production and event schedule requirements.

 Work cooperatively and cheerfully in a collaborative team environment.

 Have excellent organizational and communication skills

 Possess exceptional customer-service skills and professional poise when interacting with guest

artists, venue/museum constituents and stakeholders, and other staff members.

 Be able to meet deadlines and demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to

detail in a fast-paced environment.

 Demonstrate flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm.

MIM offers a competitive compensation and benefit package to Team Members, including

medical, dental, and vision insurances, life and disability insurances, and a 401(k)-retirement

plan that matches your contributions up to 5% of pay. You will enjoy a work environment that

is team-oriented, collaborative and focused on creating an amazing guest experience.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume via the link below:

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=618e6c

ec-0201-4f4a-8957-

17b53a2a008e&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=422955&source=CC2&lang=en_US

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