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The Artistic Director serves as the Vilar Performing Arts Center’s chief programmer and artistic curator, shaping a distinctive, diverse and compelling year-round program of live performances. The role advances the Vilar’s commitment to presenting exceptional and iconic artists across genres at a level rarely associated with a 530-seat venue.

Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, the Artistic Director leads the Vilar’s artistic programming strategy and is primarily responsible for identifying, evaluating, negotiating and securing artists and attractions across a broad range of disciplines, including popular music, classical music, jazz, dance, Broadway, comedy, family entertainment and other performing arts genres.

The Artistic Director serves as a key external representative of the Vilar within the performing arts and live entertainment industries, developing strong relationships with artists, agents, managers, promoters, producers and presenting partners. The position combines artistic judgment with commercial acumen, balancing artistic excellence, audience interests, community relevance, financial considerations and thoughtful risk‑taking within the unique opportunities and limitations of presenting in an intimate 530-seat venue in the Vail Valley.

This full-time, year-round position reports to the Vilar Executive Director, directly supervises the Senior Artistic Operations Manager and works closely with cross‑functional teams responsible for production, marketing, ticketing, education and community engagement, development and finance.

SPECIFIC RESPONSILITIES Artistic Vision & Programming

• Develop and advance a compelling artistic vision for the Vilar in partnership with the Executive Director, shaping and strengthening a distinctive and recognizable institutional identity.
• Curate the overall architecture and pacing of balanced, financially responsible programming seasons, considering artistic disciplines, audience segments, financial risk, calendar dynamics and major programming opportunities.
• Identify artists, genres and programming concepts that deepen engagement with existing audiences while intentionally cultivating new and more diverse audiences for the Vilar.
• Develop programming strategies that serve the Vilar’s diverse constituencies, including local residents, destination guests, donors, families, students and arts enthusiasts.
• Regularly evaluate programming performance, including attendance, financial results, audience response and strategic objectives, and apply those insights to future programming decisions.
• Conceive and develop special series, festivals, residencies, collaborations and new programming formats that expand the Vilar’s artistic reach and create distinctive audience experiences.
• Maintain awareness of national touring activity, artist availability, routing opportunities, competitive markets, industry trends and evolving audience interests.
• Consider accessibility and community relevance in programming decisions, supporting the Vilar’s efforts to expand access to high‑quality performing arts experiences throughout the Vail Valley.
• Provide artistic leadership for the Vilar’s education and community engagement programming, collaborating with the Senior Artistic Operations Manager and Arts Education & Community Engagement Manager to develop and secure approximately 20 student matinee programs annually, along with workshops, masterclasses, in‑school performances and other community‑based artistic experiences.
• Identify opportunities to extend visiting artists’ engagements through educational and community programming that deepens impact beyond the mainstage performance.

Talent Buying & Industry Relationships

• Lead the sourcing and booking of artists and attractions for approximately 90 publicly presented performances annually, including pursuing and securing iconic and high‑profile artists more commonly presented in significantly larger venues, alongside exceptional artists across a broad range of disciplines.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with agents, managers, promoters, producers, artists and other industry partners.
• Initiate and manage booking conversations, holds, offers, negotiations and deal development through contract execution.
• Exercise sound judgment regarding when to pursue, hold, negotiate, decline or accelerate programming opportunities, balancing artistic value, market demand, competitive dynamics, financial exposure and broader strategy.
• Develop creative booking strategies, deal structures, routing partnerships and co‑presenting opportunities that enable the Vilar to secure high‑caliber artists within the financial and capacity constraints of an intimate venue.
• Attend relevant conferences, showcases, performances and industry gatherings to evaluate programming opportunities and cultivate relationships.
• Maintain an active multi‑year programming pipeline and identify future booking opportunities.
• Serve as a primary artistic relationship‑holder with artists and representatives while ensuring effective handoff to internal staff following contract execution.

Season Planning & Financial Strategy

• Work with the Executive Director to establish annual programming priorities, financial parameters and risk tolerance and develop recommendations informed by artist fees, ticketing potential, audience demand, contributed revenue opportunities and overall season economics.
• Collaborate with the Finance team on programming budgets, forecasts, reconciliation and other financial matters related to presented programming.
• Generate settlements for all presented performances by gathering and reporting on event revenues and expenses.
• Partner with the Vilar’s production team to assess technical feasibility, production implications and labor estimates, ensuring that performances can be accommodated within the technical and physical limitations of the theater.
• Partner with the Vilar’s Marketing and Box Office teams to incorporate audience data, sales trends and market intelligence into programming decisions and provide artistic context that supports effective marketing and audience‑development strategies.
• Identify opportunities for underwriting, sponsorship, co‑presentations and strategic partnerships in collaboration with the Vilar Executive Director and Development and Sales teams.
• Collaborate with the Vilar Executive Director, Finance and Development teams to effectively utilize and report on special programmatic funding sources, including BCRC Real Estate Transfer Assessment “Superfunding,” the Frechette Family Fund Endowment for STARS and restricted donor underwriting support for artistic projects.

Organizational Leadership & Collaboration

• Contribute as a senior leader within the Vilar, participating in setting the vision and strategy of the organization.
• Directly supervise the Senior Artistic Operations Manager and provide artistic guidance and mentorship across the broader artistic operations, artist services and arts education team.
• Work closely with the Senior Artistic Operations Manager to ensure a seamless transition from booking and contracting into advancing, artist services and event execution.
• Communicate programming information clearly and proactively across Production, Marketing, Box Office, Development, Finance and other teams.
• Contribute artistic perspective to organizational strategy, long‑range planning and capital projects related to artistic production and audience experience.
• Support the Vilar Executive Director in communicating the Vilar’s artistic vision to the Vilar Committee, donors, community partners and other stakeholders.
• Serve as the visible artistic representative of the Vilar, building relationships with artists, industry partners, donors, audiences and community stakeholders.
• Engage with major donors and supporters around programming, artistic initiatives and the broader vision of the organization.
• Foster a collaborative culture of artistic ambition, thoughtful risk‑taking, accountability and cross‑functional partnership while strengthening systems that support programming effectiveness and institutional knowledge.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Leadership Profile:

The Vilar seeks an Artistic Director who combines exceptional artistic curiosity and judgment with the instincts and commercial acumen of an experienced talent buyer. The successful candidate will have broad artistic interests, strong industry credibility and the intellectual curiosity to program confidently beyond their own areas of specialization. They will be entrepreneurial, able to recognize compelling opportunities and develop creative strategies to make them possible, and highly collaborative – thriving in partnership with the Vilar Executive Director and a strong cross‑functional team.

The Artistic Director will serve as a visible and enthusiastic champion for the Vilar’s artistic vision, building meaningful connections with artists, agents, donors, audiences and the broader community while balancing artistic ambition with audience demand, financial realities and community relevance.

Qualifications & Experience:

The successful candidate will be an experienced performing arts or live entertainment professional with exceptional artistic judgment, strong industry relationships and demonstrated experience identifying and securing compelling programming.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of relevant professional experience and education preferred.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of significant experience in performing arts programming, talent buying, artist management, presenting, producing or a related field.
• Demonstrated success programming across multiple artistic genres, with particular depth in one or more areas relevant to the Vilar’s programming mix.
• Established relationships with artists, agents, managers, promoters, producers and/or presenting organizations.
• Strong understanding of artist negotiations, deal structures, contracting, routing and the economics of live performance.
• Sophisticated artistic judgment and the ability to balance audience development, commercial considerations and programming risk.
• Comfortable using technology and industry‑specific platforms to manage booking activity, programming pipelines and financial information; familiarity with tools such as Prism, ROSTR and Pollstar is beneficial.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, relationship‑building and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and management ability, with strong initiative, independent judgment and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑moving environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across artistic, operational, marketing, development, production and financial functions.
• Experience within a nonprofit performing arts organization or presenting venue is preferred.
• Familiarity with the Colorado and Rocky Mountain live entertainment market is beneficial but not required.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, discretion and confidentiality and adapt effectively to the dynamic nature of live entertainment.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays and irregular hours as required by event schedules.
• Willingness to provide support to the greater Vail Valley Foundation as available and necessary.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full‑time, year‑round, exempt, salaried position eligible for Vail Valley Foundation employment benefits.

This is an on‑site leadership position based at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Regular presence at Vilar performances and events is an important component of the role, along with periodic travel for conferences, showcases, performances and industry relationship‑building.

The hiring range for this position is $115,000 to $135,000 based on experience.

Our employees are a critical part of who we are and employee wellness is an important priority for our organization. As a result, we offer an array of employee benefits, including but not limited to:

• Affordable HDHP employee and family health insurance plan
• Dental Plan
  Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending AccountHealth Savings Account with company match
• 401k Retirement Plans with company match
• Basic Life Insurance
• Short and Long‑Term Disability Plans
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Leave
• Volunteer Time Off
• Sabbatical Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Added Perks!
  • Free employee ski pass or wellness stipend
  • Tickets to shows at the Vilar and The Amp
  • Discounts at The Amp and Vilar concessions
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Cell phone stipend