Artistic Director

This is a Full Time Job

The Apollo seeks an accomplished and visionary executive to serve as Artistic Director, a critical member of the executive leadership team responsible for overseeing the institution's artistic programming. This is a rare and important opportunity to shape the artistic future of one of the world's most iconic cultural institutions. The Artistic Director will cultivate artist relationships, commission new work, and create signature cultural experiences uniquely possible at the Apollo.

Working across multiple stages and performance environments, the role will help build a programming ecosystem that supports artistic experimentation, talent discovery, and landmark cultural moments that make a season at The Apollo both a series of unmissable events and reflect cohesive and brand-forward curation. They will do this with a full embrace of the ways 21st century audiences engage with content, and extend the Apollo programming strategy to meet new and existing audiences beyond the physical stages and spaces.

The Artistic Director will help shape how the Apollo continues this tradition by supporting artists who lead cultural conversation and creating experiences uniquely possible on the Apollo stages. Working in partnership with the Chief Growth Officer, the Artistic Director will extend the impact of Apollo programming through partnerships, campus activation, and integrated storytelling. Together they will activate the Historic Theater and the Victoria Theaters through live experiences, digital platforms, and omnichannel engagement that connect artists, audiences, and communities locally and globally.

The Artistic Director will evolve these platforms, while developing new opportunities for artist collaboration and audience engagement. The successful candidate may have a background as a cultural producer, festival curator, or artistic director, senior producer in music, theater, comedy, or multidisciplinary performance, or cultural entrepreneur building platforms for artists and audiences. Regardless of background, they will understand the creative and business ecosystem that must be cultivated to embody the range of programming that The Apollo seeks to present. The ideal candidate will uphold the following key responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Curation and Artistic Direction
Articulate the artistic vision for The Apollo, assembling an overall season with a cohesive message each year, and identifying performers and other creative artists who take risks and shape culture to be included as prominent figures on The Apollo's stages and within its community.
Produce signature cultural experiences and multidisciplinary programming, which enlivens The Apollo campus and moves beyond Harlem, when opportunities arise.
Oversee a multi-faceted learning and engagement program, which includes opportunities for K-12 students, young professionals, and the wider community to experience and appreciate the legacy and future of The Apollo.
Hold a firm understanding of how audiences engage with cultural experiences across live and digital platforms, planning and shifting programming initiatives around that ongoing examination.
Maintain a strong collaborative attitude and relationship-building ethos within a mission-driven cultural institution to successfully partner with The Apollo's leadership team and staff across the organization.
Cultivate a deep respect for Harlem's cultural significance and work to sustain the Apollo's role within that ecosystem.

Departmental Leadership
Lead the development of a thrilling, robust, and diverse programming schedule across six venues, which include the Historic Theater (capacity: 1,500) and the two new black-box theaters at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria - Theater 1 (199-seat) and the Jonelle Procope Theater (99-seat), inclusive of opportunities for further distribution via owned and partnership channels.
Collaborate with senior programming and engagement staff to plan a wide range of events, build strong partnerships, and negotiate successful contractual terms with performing arts promoters, agents, artists, and other users of the facility.
Collaborate with the General Manager, Campus and Event Operations to ensure programming costs are in line with budget projections; and then assess the P&L of all programming initiatives throughout the year.
Communicate effectively with other staff members, board members, touring promoters/agents, local arts organizations, and other community members to ensure The Apollo's programming goals are understood and initiatives are produced with the highest level of care.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with artists, staff, partner organizations and institutions, board members, and fellow leadership at The Apollo.
Supervise and manage staff and resources in an effective and efficient manner.
Oversee the implementation of programming team policies, including booking and scheduling procedures; vendor and contractor agreements; and staffing configuration around projects.

Strategic Organizational Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the President & Chief Executive Officer.
Create a strong collaborative partnership with the General Manager, Director of Production, and other senior staff members.
Collaborate closely with Development, Marketing, Finance, Advancement, and Partnerships teams.
Contribute to organizational strategic planning and long-term growth initiatives.
Represent The Apollo with clients, donors, community leaders, industry partners, government agencies, and other external stakeholders as needed.