Director of the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center

Employer
University of Georgia
Location
Athens, Georgia
Starts
Closes

The University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications and nominations for the position of Director, UGA Performing Arts Center.  Applicants meeting the minimum requirements and coming from various backgrounds and organizations are encouraged to apply. The Director must be an experienced, strong and dynamic leader to lead a highly visible and prized unit located in the heart of UGA’s main campus in Athens.  Athens is a vibrant community that enjoys a historically strong musical and artistic culture. The Director will report to Vice Provost for Academic Affairs in the Office of the Provost.

About the University of Georgia

The University of Georgia (UGA), a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities, is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (http://www.uga.edu/). UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton.  UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered University in the country. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,600 full-time staff.  The University’s enrollment exceeds 36,000 students including over 27,500 undergraduates and over 8,500 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 17 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens. 

Performing Arts Center

Excellence in the arts is a hallmark of a leading public university. Currently in its 21st season, the Performing Arts Center (PAC) brings world-renowned performers to Athens for the benefit of the campus and community.  The PAC web site is at www.uga.edu/pac/.

PAC is home to two superb concert halls. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall is the larger of the two concert halls in the PAC.  Named for the founder of the University's School of Music, the hall seats 1,100 persons in festival-style seating (seats surround the stage). Its superb acoustics complement solo artists as well as chamber ensembles and full symphony orchestras.  Ramsey Concert Hall, seating 360 persons, offers a more intimate setting for solo recitals and chamber music concerts. Named in honor of Bernard Ramsey, this hall hosts the Ramsey Concert Hall Series of new artists as well as providing a performing home for doctoral students and faculty members. As in Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall, seats surround the performing area. 

Top-level artists perform at the PAC every season and the PAC has developed strong partnerships with major symphony orchestras who have significantly elevated the quality level of PAC programming.  In addition, the PAC has developed a partnership with The Classic Center (https://classiccenter.com/) with the goal of expanding “town-gown” interactions.  The PAC plays a crucial, collaborative role in supporting the production and presentation of performing arts events sponsored by the academic units of music, theater, and dance.

The PAC is strongly committed to its mission of education and outreach and has developed several impactful and valued programs, including the Saturday Morning Club, Performances for Young People, and Pre-Performance Lectures, among others.  The PAC is also a member of the UGA Arts Council (www.arts.uga.edu), whose mission is to foster an awareness and appreciation of the arts and a campuswide environment conducive to artistic innovation.

Responsibilities of the Director

The Director has the following responsibilities:

  • Provide the overall vision and leadership for PAC and its current personnel in administration, public relations and publications, box office, and production  
  • Bring national and international performing talent to the University of Georgia and PAC for the benefit of the University, local community and state audiences
  • Identify and bring in innovative programming that will support and enhance our academic mission
  • Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with UGA academic units
  • Work closely with the Hugh Hodgson School of Music as a close partner to facilitate the School’s educational programs and performances
  • Support and manage the box office for the academic units
  • Further develop and expand educational and outreach programs to fulfill its mission
  • Raise the visibility and reputation of the arts at UGA
  • Effectively manage PAC personnel, carry out annual performance evaluations, and support their professional development
  • Effectively plan and oversee the annual PAC budget
  • Develop a strategic plan for PAC that supports excellence and sustainability
  • Direct the fund raising efforts for the PAC and coordinate with UGA’s Office of Development
  • Serve as a member the UGA Arts Council
  • Create opportunities for experiential learning for UGA students in the PAC
  • Keep the Vice Provost and the Office of the Provost informed on all matters pertaining to the PAC

Minimum Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree required; academic concentration in the performing arts or closely related discipline is preferred
  • At least three years of experience in leading or assisting in leading a performing arts facility or performing arts venue, series or program
  • Demonstrated ability to bring or assist in bringing top-level performing talent to a performing arts facility, venue or program
  • Past experience in the successful marketing of performing arts facility, venue, series or programs
  • Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation, working with performers’ agents, and successfully executing contracts
  • Ability  to work collaboratively and effectively with other academic units
  • An interest and appreciation of educational programs and outreach and providing experiential learning opportunities for current UGA students
  • A clear understanding of how to identify potential donors and raise external funds
  • Demonstrated experience in effectively hiring, managing and developing personnel
  • A working understanding of strategic planning processes and successful implementation of strategic plans
  • Willingness to attend evening and weekend functions as required
  • Must be currently legally eligible to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

  • A master’s degree or terminal degree in the arts with emphasis in the performing arts
  • Prior demonstrated experience and success in raising external funds
  • Prior demonstrated experience in developing and executing a strategic plan
  • Prior success in bringing internationally-known performing talent to a performing arts facility, venue, series or program
  • Past experience serving on advisory boards to an established performing arts facility

The selected candidate will be appointed administrative faculty, without tenure.    

The search will be a rolling search and applications will be considered and the position will remain open until filled.  Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their materials immediately since applicant review and interviews will begin right away.  The planned start date is tentatively during Fall 2017.

The application packet should include a cover letter detailing how the applicant’s credentials and experience meet the needs, responsibilities, and qualifications stated above; an updated full resume; and full contact information for three references (who will not be contacted without approval by the applicant) with a very brief description of the relationship of the reference to the applicant.

All applicants must apply online at FacultyJobs@UGA.  Please see the job posting at: http://facultyjobs.uga.edu/postings/2331

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact us immediately. Nominations, questions and/or other inquiries should be directed to Sean Ryder, Primary Consultant with the UGA Search Group, at sean.ryder@uga.edu or 706-542-6240.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. As such, the University of Georgia is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. We not only strongly encourage women, minorities and other diverse candidates to consider applying for this position, but we also maintain that all candidates should share our commitment to diversity and inclusion