Artistic Director

Reporting and scope

Reports to the board or to the Executive Director / CEO, and in many theaters and dance companies sits beside the managing director as a co-leader reporting to the board. Authority covers the season, programming and artistic staff across the organization.

Core responsibilities

• Chooses the season or exhibition program and commissions new work
• Hires directors, designers, performers and guest artists
• Shapes the artistic identity presented to audiences, donors and critics
• Works with development staff on donor cultivation and grant proposals to arts funders
• Keeps productions within budgets agreed with the managing director
• Often directs or curates some productions personally

How it differs

The Executive Director / CEO or managing director owns finances, fundraising and administration; the Artistic Director owns what goes on stage. A Music Director leads an orchestra or choral ensemble's musical program, and an Executive Producer manages production logistics and budgets rather than artistic choices.

By organization size

In small companies the Artistic Director is often the founder and chief fundraiser, and may run the organization alone. In large institutions the role is a public figure who works through associate artistic staff and shares leadership formally with a managing director.