Artistic Director (Full-Time)
The North Country Rural Development Coalition, Ticonderoga, New York, United States
About the Adirondack Performing Arts Center (APAC)
The Adirondack Performing Arts Center (APAC) is a transformational cultural initiative currently under development in downtown Ticonderoga, New York. Envisioned as a 200-seat multi-disciplinary performance venue, APAC will serve as a regional cultural anchor—supporting professional touring artists, local and regional performers, youth arts education, public art, and community-based events. APAC is being developed alongside a broader creative placemaking strategy that includes artscapes, public art installations, outdoor concerts, and downtown activations. Together, these efforts position the performing arts as a central driver of economic vitality, tourism, and community life in the region. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a performing arts center from the ground up—drafting its artistic vision, public identity, and inaugural season.
Position Overview
The Artistic Director is the operational leader and creative public-facing ambassador of the Adirondack Performing Arts Center (APAC). This role blends artistic curation, venue stewardship, community engagement, and operational coordination, working in close collaboration with the President & CEO, Deputy Director, and support staff during both the pre-opening construction phase and full venue operations. During the construction and launch phase, the Artistic Director will help activate APAC through interim programming, outdoor concerts, public art collaborations, and early audience-building initiatives, while also contributing to brand development and launch strategy. The role works closely with external consultants on website development, capital campaign storytelling, marketing, and opening-season planning. As the venue comes online, the Artistic Director transitions into full-season programming and long-term artistic leadership while also serving as the primary steward of the facility’s day-to-day artistic and operational use. This includes coordinating tenant schedules, rehearsals, performances, shared spaces, and event logistics to ensure the building operates smoothly, professionally, and in alignment with APAC’s artistic mission.
Key Responsibilities Artistic & Programmatic Leadership Curate and oversee a diverse annual program, including regional and national touring music acts, theater productions and plays, dance and ballet performances, jazz ensembles and small orchestras, school-based performances and youth programming, and community lectures, film screenings, and civic uses. Develop programming that balances artistic excellence, accessibility, and financial sustainability. Negotiate and manage artist engagements in coordination with administrative staff.
Artscapes, Public Art & Creative Placemaking Lead and collaborate on the Land Bank’s artscapes and public art initiatives. Support artist-led installations, temporary activations, and interdisciplinary projects. Integrate performance programming with downtown placemaking and public-space activation.
Interim Programming & Outdoor Events Coordinate outdoor concerts, pop-up performances, and community events during construction. Build early audience engagement and brand recognition ahead of opening. Establish regional partnerships with artists, presenters, and cultural organizations.
Marketing, Brand & Website Development (Collaborative) Work with external consultants and marketing support to shape APAC’s artistic voice and public storytelling. Develop and launch the APAC website. Support season announcements, artist highlights, and promotional content. Serve as a visible spokesperson for APAC within the community and region.
Capital Campaign & Opening Season Planning Contribute artistic vision to capital campaign materials and donor engagement with development consultants. Participate in site tours, public presentations, and cultivation events. Help plan inaugural programming and opening-season events.
Budgeting & Financial Collaboration Collaborate with the President & CEO, Deputy Director, and finance staff on annual programming budgets, per-event financial planning, revenue projections, and cost controls. Support long-term planning for sustainable operations.
Event Oversight & Artist Experience Serve as the primary artistic liaison for performers and agents. Oversee artistic quality and audience experience during events. Coordinate with event-based staff (security, ushers, technicians, bar staff) as needed.
Qualifications
We seek a creative, entrepreneurial, and community-minded arts leader who is energized by building something new and thrives at the intersection of artistic vision, public engagement, and practical execution. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in arts, music, theater, dance, or a related creative discipline; or business management, arts administration, or a related field with a demonstrated focus on the arts. Equivalent professional experience may be substituted in lieu of a formal degree. Candidates with substantial, demonstrated experience in artistic leadership, venue operations, programming, or arts administration are strongly encouraged to apply. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with artists, consultants, staff, and community partners; manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment; and communicate clearly and professionally with diverse stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications Experience working in rural or regional arts settings. Exposure to touring artist booking or contracting, public art, placemaking, or interdisciplinary programming. Marketing, audience development, or brand building for arts organizations. Familiarity with fundraising or capital campaign support.
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit: Cover Letter: Describing interest in the role and APAC’s mission, outlining artistic vision and approach to community-centered programming. Resume or Curriculum Vitae Work Samples (examples may include curated programs, produced events, marketing materials, artist rosters, or documentation of performances, exhibitions, or community projects). Academic Transcript(s) Three (3) Professional References Able to speak to artistic leadership, collaboration skills, and reliability
Compensation & Benefits Salary & Total Compensation Salary: $60,000 annually Relocation assistance Employer-paid health and life insurance Annual employer pension contribution: 10% of base salary Budgeted salary increase: $10,000 after the first 12 months Annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) provided to support long-term stability Merit-based performance bonuses, including an annual holiday bonus and additional merit-based incentives tied to programming, venue operations, and organizational impact Estimated total annual compensation value: $84,000–$102,000, inclusive of salary, insurance, retirement contributions, bonuses, and retirement contributions
Benefits & Work Environment Four weeks of paid time off annually, including 10 vacation days, 5 PTO days, 5 sick days, plus paid holidays Flexible scheduling aligned with performance expectations and the event calendar Some evening and weekend work is required during performances and events, with flexibility provided during non-event periods Professional development, training, and travel opportunities to support continued artistic and leadership growth
Why This Role Is Unique Build a performing arts center from the ground up Shape both indoor and outdoor programming Integrate performance, public art, and creative placemaking Play a central role in a major downtown revitalization effort Work within a growing, mission-driven, and well-supported organization
Commitment to Equity & Access APAC is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and accessible cultural environment. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.
Life in Ticonderoga & the Adirondacks
Located in the heart of the Adirondacks, Ticonderoga is a growing hub of downtown reinvestment, new cultural programming, housing and infrastructure projects, and a rising creative energy. Just minutes from Lake George and surrounded by the natural beauty of Adirondack Park, Ticonderoga offers an exceptional quality of life with year-round outdoor recreation and a close-knit, engaged community. This role offers the opportunity to live, lead, and contribute meaningfully in a town shaping its identity around arts and community impact.
Placemaking Recap Links: WBW Recap V5 WBW Apprentice Final V2 Fireside Folk Festival
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Adirondack Performing Arts Center (APAC) is a transformational cultural initiative currently under development in downtown Ticonderoga, New York. Envisioned as a 200-seat multi-disciplinary performance venue, APAC will serve as a regional cultural anchor—supporting professional touring artists, local and regional performers, youth arts education, public art, and community-based events. APAC is being developed alongside a broader creative placemaking strategy that includes artscapes, public art installations, outdoor concerts, and downtown activations. Together, these efforts position the performing arts as a central driver of economic vitality, tourism, and community life in the region. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a performing arts center from the ground up—drafting its artistic vision, public identity, and inaugural season.
Position Overview
The Artistic Director is the operational leader and creative public-facing ambassador of the Adirondack Performing Arts Center (APAC). This role blends artistic curation, venue stewardship, community engagement, and operational coordination, working in close collaboration with the President & CEO, Deputy Director, and support staff during both the pre-opening construction phase and full venue operations. During the construction and launch phase, the Artistic Director will help activate APAC through interim programming, outdoor concerts, public art collaborations, and early audience-building initiatives, while also contributing to brand development and launch strategy. The role works closely with external consultants on website development, capital campaign storytelling, marketing, and opening-season planning. As the venue comes online, the Artistic Director transitions into full-season programming and long-term artistic leadership while also serving as the primary steward of the facility’s day-to-day artistic and operational use. This includes coordinating tenant schedules, rehearsals, performances, shared spaces, and event logistics to ensure the building operates smoothly, professionally, and in alignment with APAC’s artistic mission.
Key Responsibilities Artistic & Programmatic Leadership Curate and oversee a diverse annual program, including regional and national touring music acts, theater productions and plays, dance and ballet performances, jazz ensembles and small orchestras, school-based performances and youth programming, and community lectures, film screenings, and civic uses. Develop programming that balances artistic excellence, accessibility, and financial sustainability. Negotiate and manage artist engagements in coordination with administrative staff.
Artscapes, Public Art & Creative Placemaking Lead and collaborate on the Land Bank’s artscapes and public art initiatives. Support artist-led installations, temporary activations, and interdisciplinary projects. Integrate performance programming with downtown placemaking and public-space activation.
Interim Programming & Outdoor Events Coordinate outdoor concerts, pop-up performances, and community events during construction. Build early audience engagement and brand recognition ahead of opening. Establish regional partnerships with artists, presenters, and cultural organizations.
Marketing, Brand & Website Development (Collaborative) Work with external consultants and marketing support to shape APAC’s artistic voice and public storytelling. Develop and launch the APAC website. Support season announcements, artist highlights, and promotional content. Serve as a visible spokesperson for APAC within the community and region.
Capital Campaign & Opening Season Planning Contribute artistic vision to capital campaign materials and donor engagement with development consultants. Participate in site tours, public presentations, and cultivation events. Help plan inaugural programming and opening-season events.
Budgeting & Financial Collaboration Collaborate with the President & CEO, Deputy Director, and finance staff on annual programming budgets, per-event financial planning, revenue projections, and cost controls. Support long-term planning for sustainable operations.
Event Oversight & Artist Experience Serve as the primary artistic liaison for performers and agents. Oversee artistic quality and audience experience during events. Coordinate with event-based staff (security, ushers, technicians, bar staff) as needed.
Qualifications
We seek a creative, entrepreneurial, and community-minded arts leader who is energized by building something new and thrives at the intersection of artistic vision, public engagement, and practical execution. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in arts, music, theater, dance, or a related creative discipline; or business management, arts administration, or a related field with a demonstrated focus on the arts. Equivalent professional experience may be substituted in lieu of a formal degree. Candidates with substantial, demonstrated experience in artistic leadership, venue operations, programming, or arts administration are strongly encouraged to apply. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with artists, consultants, staff, and community partners; manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment; and communicate clearly and professionally with diverse stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications Experience working in rural or regional arts settings. Exposure to touring artist booking or contracting, public art, placemaking, or interdisciplinary programming. Marketing, audience development, or brand building for arts organizations. Familiarity with fundraising or capital campaign support.
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit: Cover Letter: Describing interest in the role and APAC’s mission, outlining artistic vision and approach to community-centered programming. Resume or Curriculum Vitae Work Samples (examples may include curated programs, produced events, marketing materials, artist rosters, or documentation of performances, exhibitions, or community projects). Academic Transcript(s) Three (3) Professional References Able to speak to artistic leadership, collaboration skills, and reliability
Compensation & Benefits Salary & Total Compensation Salary: $60,000 annually Relocation assistance Employer-paid health and life insurance Annual employer pension contribution: 10% of base salary Budgeted salary increase: $10,000 after the first 12 months Annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) provided to support long-term stability Merit-based performance bonuses, including an annual holiday bonus and additional merit-based incentives tied to programming, venue operations, and organizational impact Estimated total annual compensation value: $84,000–$102,000, inclusive of salary, insurance, retirement contributions, bonuses, and retirement contributions
Benefits & Work Environment Four weeks of paid time off annually, including 10 vacation days, 5 PTO days, 5 sick days, plus paid holidays Flexible scheduling aligned with performance expectations and the event calendar Some evening and weekend work is required during performances and events, with flexibility provided during non-event periods Professional development, training, and travel opportunities to support continued artistic and leadership growth
Why This Role Is Unique Build a performing arts center from the ground up Shape both indoor and outdoor programming Integrate performance, public art, and creative placemaking Play a central role in a major downtown revitalization effort Work within a growing, mission-driven, and well-supported organization
Commitment to Equity & Access APAC is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and accessible cultural environment. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.
Life in Ticonderoga & the Adirondacks
Located in the heart of the Adirondacks, Ticonderoga is a growing hub of downtown reinvestment, new cultural programming, housing and infrastructure projects, and a rising creative energy. Just minutes from Lake George and surrounded by the natural beauty of Adirondack Park, Ticonderoga offers an exceptional quality of life with year-round outdoor recreation and a close-knit, engaged community. This role offers the opportunity to live, lead, and contribute meaningfully in a town shaping its identity around arts and community impact.
Placemaking Recap Links: WBW Recap V5 WBW Apprentice Final V2 Fireside Folk Festival
#J-18808-Ljbffr