ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Job Title: Artistic Director
Reports to: CEO
Program/Department: Artistic
Schedule: Full-Time

Position Summary

Ballet Des Moines is seeking a proven visionary leader to serve as its next Artistic Director. This individual should have a deep understanding and appreciation for ballet specifically and arts in general, and a vision for the role of ballet in today’s society. The AD is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all artistic programming for the company in accordance with the mission, vision, and values of Ballet Des Moines. The AD will actively pursue BDM’s mission through innovative and enthusiastic participation in the community’s cultural life and by developing and executing artistic programming that meets and exceeds the expectations of key stakeholders. The AD has the primary responsibility for managing the organization's day-to-day artistic activities and operations, directing and coordinating the work of artistic staff, and serving as the chief artistic visionary for the organization, and ensuring a positive work environment both inside and outside of the studio.

Duties and Responsibilities

Artistic Vision and Planning

  • Collaborates with the CEO and Creative Director to develop, prepare, and submit a two-year artistic season plan and budget to BOD for approval each January/February. The plan should comprise of at least four mainstage productions, including annual performances of The Nutcracker, classical and contemporary works, and collaborative opportunities with other arts organizations under an inspiring, thematic vision. The plan for the upcoming season will be specific as to titles, content, music, choreographers, artistic staff, costuming, dancers, and staging. The budget should be broken down on a per production basis, and in the format and categories used by BDM. The plan for the following year will identify number of performances, possible choreography and/or theme, artistic staff, potential source of music, and cost estimates.

  • Executes the artistic season within approved budget, which may include identifying and securing guest choreographers and guest artists, securing classic choreographic works, and by creating new works.

  • Fosters and maintains a respectful, inclusive, transparent, and supportive working environment with artists and staff, leading by example in work both on and off the stage.

  • Inspires choreographers, dancers, staff, to create the best possible work at Ballet Des Moines.

Artistic Productions

  • Oversees and takes full responsibility for maintaining the highest quality of artistic output of Ballet Des Moines, including, but not limited to, full stage productions, outreach events, promotional appearances, workshops, educational programming, and masterclasses, within budget approved by BOD.

  • Oversees Artistic staff to rehearse and stage performances, training and supporting the company dancers to ensure technical and artistic execution at an outstanding level. This includes teaching company class, hiring qualified Artistic staff, and maintaining clear lines of communication.

  • Serves as the chief artistic recruiter for Ballet Des Moines, ensuring BDM represents an attractive opportunity for professional dancers, providing professional development opportunities, appealing repertoire, and an exceptional work environment. Maintains a professional network with national and international dance community to increase visibility of BDM as it continues to attract high caliber company dancers and renowned choreographers.

  • Coordinates all aspects of all productions, including:

    • Oversees auditions, selection, training, and rehearsals of Ballet Des Moines dancers and other non-company dancers as required for all productions.

    • Secures music rights and/or contract musicians.

    • Ensures high quality costuming, sets, props, backdrops, and scenery are appropriately used to produce high quality performances.

    • Coordinates and oversees personally, or through contracted services, all production crew, technical staff, and artistic staff.

    • Oversight and upkeep of all production materials not limited to floor, marley, marley tape, dancer costumes, props, and technical equipment.

    • Creates original choreography for company use as necessary.

Development and Community Involvement

  • Creates audience development programming to inform and deepen the appreciation of the art form, including engaging and informative curtain speeches at all performances.

  • Communicates with donors, supporters, and the public to promote and enhance awareness of Ballet Des Moines, its productions, mission, and achievements.

  • Is able to effectively convey the artistic vision and value of Ballet Des Moines to the public, donors, and other key stakeholders.

  • Actively supports the fundraising activities of Ballet Des Moines, including participation in calls on individuals, foundations, and corporations for funding when requested.

Administrative

  • Attends all BOD meetings to provide artistic reports.

  • Participates in weekly staff meetings as scheduled by the CEO.

  • Calls and runs meetings required for the efficient planning and execution of artistic programs, including 1:1 meetings with direct staff reports.

  • Orders and tracks all materials necessary for productions, within budget limits.

  • Drafts and secures all artistic contracts, waivers, and other formal documents for Ballet Des Moines dancers and independent contractors participating in the performances, as well as any contracted choreographers.

  • Recruits additional artistic staff as needed and as provided for in the budget.

  • Completes performance evaluations for professional dancers in January and February of each year.

  • Makes all hiring decisions for the performing company, delivering decisions with care, respect, and transparency.

  • Complete performance evaluations for all direct reports on an annual basis.

Qualifications

Qualified applicants will have at least one year in a leadership position at a reputable ballet company. Extensive teaching and choreographic experience required. Direct experience setting and managing artistic budgets, production planning, artistic vision setting, and dancer management preferred. Proven strong communication skills, both internal and external are necessary. It is also essential candidates have experience working collaboratively with many different business partners, staff levels, and the community.

Compensation and Benefits

Ballet Des Moines provides competitive compensation and benefits package, including paid time off, holidays, health insurance and retirement contributions, as well as work/life flexibility and the extraordinary quality of life offered by the beautiful Des Moines region.

Applications and Inquiries

Please submit a letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments, including examples of choreography, to (electronic submissions preferred) blaire@balletdesmoines.org.

Ballet Des Moines is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer and welcomes all applications.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The company was founded in 2002 as the Ballet Theatre of Iowa. The inaugural season included The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Divertimento. In 2005, Serkan Usta was named Artistic Director and the company renamed itself Ballet Des Moines. Ballet Des Moines launched its first professional company of resident dancers in 2012. Today, Ballet Des Moines is focused on its mission: to enrich lives through inspiring dance performances, inclusive education and outreach programs, and innovative community partnerships.

Ballet Des Moines performs a season of four main-stage productions as well as outreach events and state-wide touring. Regular venues include the beautifully restored 1,252 seat Hoyt Sherman Place Theater and the Des Moines Civic Center which accommodates an audience of 2,744 and is regarded as one of the nation’s leading theater venues. The company is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors, led by Michaela Carhoff, Board President and Natasha Sayles, Vice President..

Ballet Des Moines has experienced exceptional growth and success since 2019, when Blaire Massa took the helm as CEO. After a ground-breaking virtual season during the pandemic, the company emerged in 2021 stronger than ever, announcing a partnership with Stephanie Martinez and the hire of Artistic Director Tom Mattingly. Over the next three years, Ballet Des Moines established itself as a leading regional ballet company, presenting an unprecedented repertoire of classical and contemporary works with a focus on relevant stories from a diverse range of perspectives that exemplify the power of dance as an art form. The company continues to disrupt the traditional model and expectations of American ballet companies, and attributes its success in attracting exemplary artists to the unique environment within the company, which is based on transparency, respect, and inclusion. This opening represents an exciting opportunity for a motivated visionary to play a leading role in the next generation of ballet, with the support of an extraordinary leadership team.

COMMUNITY

Des Moines is the fastest-growing major metro in the Midwest (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022). Rated one of the Top 20 Places to Live (U.S News & World Report, 2023) and the 11th Most Affordable City to Buy A Home (Forbes Advisor, 2021), Des Moines prides itself on its schools, friendly communities, short commutes, affordable living, and world-class amenities. Key industries in DSM include insurance and financial services and advanced manufacturing, and DSM has also been recognized as a hotspot for data science jobs and careers in technology.

Greater Des Moines has witnessed rapid development in recent years, with a revitalized downtown, changing demographics, and multi-billion-dollar investments from Microsoft and Facebook, all made possible by a forward-looking community that embraces new ideas. These developments have also been reflected in the region’s arts and culture environment through new initiatives such as Mainframe Studios, the largest nonprofit arts space in the country; and Bravo Greater Des Moines, a grant-awarding arts agency jointly funded by 17 local governments through a portion of their hotel/motel tax revenues – a unique example of visionary partnership and approach to government investment in the arts.

Greater Des Moines is also home to a number of signature events, including the Iowa State Fair, the Des Moines Arts Festival, 80/35 Music Festival, and the World Food and Music Festival. Arts, cultural, heritage, and recreational opportunities abound. Living here means Saturdays at the nationally-renowned Downtown Farmers' Market, afternoons strolling in the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, an abundance of cultural and sporting events, biking to the job you love, and coming home to a community of friends and family.