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$88.9K

$149K

How much do festival programming jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for festival programming in the United States is $88,946.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,500.00 and $116,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Festival Programming position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Festival Programming, you need strong organizational abilities, experience in event planning, and a thorough understanding of the arts, entertainment, or cultural sectors, generally supported by a relevant degree or prior programming experience. Familiarity with event management software, scheduling tools, and ticketing platforms is highly advantageous. Exceptional communication, negotiation skills, and creative problem-solving are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These competencies enable effective coordination of diverse programming elements, smooth collaboration with stakeholders, and delivery of engaging festival experiences.

What are the typical responsibilities of someone working in Festival Programming?

Professionals in Festival Programming are responsible for curating and scheduling events, liaising with artists and performers, coordinating logistics, and ensuring a cohesive festival lineup. They often work closely with marketing, production, and technical teams to bring a diverse and engaging program to life. This role may also involve managing contracts, overseeing budgets, and resolving on-the-ground challenges during the festival. Festival programmers typically split their time between planning in an office environment and being onsite during the event. This dynamic position offers exposure to a wide variety of creative talents and significant opportunities for professional growth within the events and entertainment industry.

What is a Festival Programming job?

A Festival Programming job involves selecting, scheduling, and organizing events, performances, or screenings for a festival. Programmers curate content based on the festival’s theme, audience, and goals, ensuring a diverse and engaging lineup. Responsibilities include coordinating with artists, filmmakers, or speakers, handling logistics, and collaborating with other departments. Strong knowledge of the industry, attention to detail, and adaptability are key skills for success in this role.

More about Festival Programming jobs
What cities are hiring for Festival Programming jobs? Cities with the most Festival Programming job openings:
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Festival Programming jobs near you
Infographic showing various Festival Programming job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 46% Full Time, 47% Part Time, and 7% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $88,946 per year, or $42.8 per hour.

Director of Education

Contemporary American Theater Festival

Shepherdstown, WV • On-site

$34K - $38K/yr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Position Profile:
Beginning as part-time with the potential to move quickly to full-time, the Director of Education will manage CATF's summer programming including the high school program Hostel YOUTH!, and the festival talktheater events - the humanities series. The Director of Education will also serve as the staff leader for the summer intern company. In the off-season the Director will serve as liaison to the Education Committee of the Board of Trustees and lead CATF's programming within the public schools of the West Virginia Eastern Panhandle. Additionally, the successful candidate will value and practice Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive (ARAO) efforts. Click here to learn about CATF's ARAO Values.
History:
Founded by Ed Herendeen in 1991 with the mission to produce and develop new American theater, CATF has grown to a $2.5M organization at the center of new play development and production in the nation. Now led by Artistic Director Peggy McKowen, CATF's core values of fearless art, diverse stories, inclusivity, community-building, ARAO, and care guide all its actions from play selection to human resource management. Nestled in Shepherdstown, WV, approximately 1.5 hours from Washington, DC and Baltimore, CATF produces a summer festival of 5 plays on the campus of Shepherd University along with new play development and educational programming year-round. Over the course of 35 seasons, CATF has produced 144 new plays by 104 playwrights including 66 world premieres and 11 plays commissioned by the Festival. CATF premieres have gone on to Broadway, London, off-Broadway, and regional theaters as well as adapted into major motion pictures. Learn more at catf.org.
Responsibilities
Fall: Outreach and planning, Spring: Program Implementation, Summer: Festival Events
  • Lead recruitment for and implementation of the summer high school program, Hostel YOUTH!
  • Lead the implementation and expansion of the public-school educational programming including building relationships with Boards of Education, public school administrators, and teachers
  • In collaboration with Artistic Director, develop and update curriculum and materials for educational programming
  • Serve as the staff liaison to the summer intern company
  • Organize and implement programming, review processes, and events for the summer intern company
  • Serve as the staff liaison to the talktheater series for the summer festival
  • Assist Artistic Director in strengthening the relationship with Shepherd University and the Contemporary Theater Studies Program
  • In collaboration with Artistic Director, recruit students for educational opportunities
  • In collaboration with Artistic Director, organize and teach lifelong learning classes
  • Serve as the staff liaison to the Board of Trustees' Education Committee
  • Serve as a public representative for CATF to the community

Qualifications and Core Competencies
  • Minimum three years of progressive leadership experience in performing arts education, preferably within a theater or performing arts organization
  • Excellent organizational, written/oral communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Creative and strategic thinking, with an ability to grasp the organization's big picture
  • A belief that art makes our world a better place
  • Ability to foster strong relationships with diverse stakeholders both outside and inside the organization
  • Demonstrated success in program development, staff supervision, and budget management
  • Proven ability to develop, implement, and evaluate arts education programs and initiatives
  • Comprehensive understanding of current trends in performing arts education and training, theater for young audiences, accessible arts programming, and other current areas of practice, such as: arts and neurodiversity, arts and health, arts and life-long learning o Arts integration
  • Strong knowledge of educational best practices and curriculum development
  • Excellence in team building and professional development of staff
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail
  • Flexibility to participate in off-site meetings and events outside regular business hours
  • Strong commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression practices

Salary and Benefits
Salary range $34,000-$38,000, part-time, moving to $60,000-72,000 when full-time, commensurate with experience. Full-time benefits package includes 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees; a Simple IRA retirement plan with company match; a generous PTO policy; and 10 paid company holidays per year.

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