Open Ears Festival of Music and Sound
Artistic Director - Contract
Compensation: $14,500
The Open Ears Festival of Music and Sound (www.openears.ca) is seeking a new Artistic Director. The successful candidate will be an individual who is passionate, ambitious and creative in curating exciting and unique artistic experiences for the festival. The successful candidate will collaborate with the General Manager and Board of Directors in working towards developing artistic programming that supports the aims, goals, and mission statement: An ongoing exploration of transformative music & sound. We open ears everywhere including our own. Open Ears supports open people (Pauline Oliveros)
About Open Ears:
Founded in 1998, the biennial Open Ears Festival features a mix of local, national and international artists across multiple venues, such as: CAFKA, Open Sesame Gallery, Registry Theatre, Kitchener Public Library, Communitech, KW Jazz Society, Perimeter Institute, St. Andrews Presbyterian,, Walper Hotel, MT Space, KW Chamber Music Society. Its musical spectrum is broad, having featured a range of performance artists and ensembles. Sound installations are an integral part of the festival, which also features public workshops, symposia and sound walks, as well as community outreach and education opportunities. Guest composers and performers have included international artists such as Brian Eno, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Diamanda Galas, Negativland, DJ Spooky, Ikue Mori, Bob Ostertag and Pauline Oliveros, as well as Canadians Murray Schafer, Martin Tetrault, Gordon Monahan, Michael Snow, John Oswald, Tony Conrad, Tanya Tagaq, Tim Brady and Hildegarde Westerkamp.
Primary Responsibilities of Artistic Director:
The artistic director will be responsible for pursuing the growth of artistic programming for the festival through presenting and commissioning new artistic works from local, national and international artists, and overseeing their development.
They will be engaged in the local community arts scene and actively seek opportunities for new partnerships to develop the festival’s educational and community outreach programs. The artistic director will be responsible for fostering and developing artistic partnerships with local, national, and international arts organizations as well as building strong and long-term relationships with both internal and external stakeholders including: board members, artists, audience members, donors, sponsors, volunteers, community members and organizations.
The successful candidate will be responsible for creating, establishing and achieving operating budgets for all artistic programming. They will collaborate with the General Manager and Board of Directors to assist in the growth and development of the festival. They are responsible for reporting at Board meetings on festival programming, budgeting, content and commissioning, as well as any other education, community and outreach initiatives. They will be available onsite for the festival and other Open Ears/Between the Ears events.
The artistic director represents Open Ears at arts and culture events and speaks at appropriate media engagements. They will play a lead role as advocate for the Festival and be involved in public relations through presenting as host to audience, media and participants.
Qualifications:
- A proven track record in artistic leadership and event management. Festival management experience will be a definite asset.
- Demonstrated experience in planning, organizing, and directing artistic events across multiple genres, venues and locations.
- Experience managing budgets, and providing financial updates and analysis
- Experience in writing and applying to grants for not-for-profit organizations
Characteristics:
- An individual with vision and dedication to creating outstanding programming and engaging audiences
- Creative thinking, problem solving, ability to work under pressure and time constraints
- Exceptional at relationship management and building. Demonstrates the ability to confidently, sensitively and effectively manage relationships with community members, partners, festival attendees, board members, colleagues and artists both locally and internationally
- High-level communication skills, orally and in writing, at all levels
- Energy, persistence and effectiveness in realizing the vision of Open Ears.
To apply:
- A letter of interest
- Resume
- Contact information for 3 references
- Submit electronically to gm@openears.ca
- Deadline: 9 January 2017
Start date: February 1, 2017
Open Ears is an equity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the organization. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
