Director of the Arts

Description

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Director of the Arts provides strategic leadership and oversight of all artistic disciplines at Orange Lutheran High School, including Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Music, Technical Arts and Theater. This role encompasses curricular (academic) and co-curricular (production/performance) elements, ensuring a holistic and enriching arts education experience for students that aligns with Orange Lutheran’s Christ-centered mission. The Director is responsible for ensuring that all arts programs foster the development of students as creative individuals while encouraging them to use their talents to glorify God. The Director works closely with the Academic Deans and the Assistant Principal of Academics to ensure the arts curriculum aligns with the school’s academic priorities and integrates with the overall mission. Additionally, the Director collaborates with Department Chairs, Deans, and the Academies Department Chair to support faculty, enhance program offerings, and oversee the Performing Arts Academy. The Director is also responsible for leading all arts-related extracurricular programming and productions, ensuring they reflect the school's commitment to excellence and faith.

Reports to: Head of School

Supervises:

• Performing Arts Department Chair
• Visual Arts Department Chair
• Technical Director

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

Academic & Curricular Leadership:

• Work in collaboration with the Deans and the Assistant Principal of Academics to ensure the arts curriculum aligns with school-wide academic priorities and standards
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Music, and Theater leaders, ensuring high-quality instruction and faculty support
• Collaborate with Deans, Department Chairs, and the Academies Chair to evaluate and improve arts courses, including those in the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Academies, ensuring alignment with student needs and institutional goals

Arts Programming & Production Oversight:

• Oversee all arts-related extracurricular activities, productions, and performances, ensuring alignment with the school's mission and values
• Provide strategic direction for student showcases, concerts, exhibitions, and theatrical performances, coordinating logistics, budgeting, and artistic vision
• In collaboration with Technical Director : Oversee technology implementation across all arts facilities, including the theater,(any other spaces they will oversee. I.e. Rehearsal Rooms, Gallery etc.) ensuring equipment and practices reflect current industry standards
• Work with faculty and external partners to develop innovative arts programming that enhances student engagement and community involvement
• Oversee the development and coordination of annual and multi-year planning calendars to ensure alignment of all arts programming and productions with the school's mission, vision, and strategic goals

Faculty & Student Support:

• Foster professional growth and instructional excellence by actively supporting and mentoring arts faculty and staff
• Foster collaboration across art disciplines to create interdisciplinary projects and performance opportunities
• Advocate for student participation in the arts, ensuring access to high-quality arts education and opportunities for artistic expression

Operational & Strategic Leadership:

• Oversee and review arts budgets, ensuring responsible resource allocation
• Lead as a strategic partner with the development team to seek funding, grants, and sponsorships for arts initiatives
• Maintain strong community relationships to promote the arts at Orange Lutheran and foster external partnerships

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor or administrator

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the competencies, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred

Experience

• A strong background in arts education, arts administration, or arts programming, with experience in both academic and production elements

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND CLEARANCES

• Valid Fingerprint
• Valid CPR and First Aid certifications
• TB Risk Assessment
• Ministry Safe Clearance

KEY COMPETENCIES

Knowledge

• Commitment to expanding student access to arts education
• Knowledge of various art forms (visual arts, performing arts, etc.), artistic trends, and cultural movements
• Knowledge of arts organizations, nonprofit management, fundraising, grant writing, and marketing for the arts
• Understanding of budgeting, financial management, and resource allocation in an arts context
• Knowledge of best practices in curriculum development, especially for arts education
• Familiarity with stage technologies and technical education, including software and hardware platforms used in live production (e.g., Vectorworks, ETC consoles, QLab, DAWs, video editing suites)

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to lead a team of creative professionals, artists, and administrative staff
• Strong decision-making skills, conflict resolution, and the ability to inspire and motivate others
• Ability to secure funding from diverse sources such as private donors, and sponsorships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Proficiency in managing multiple arts-related projects from conception through execution 
• Ability to work within deadlines, manage resources, and ensure projects stay within budget
• Ability to think strategically and develop long-term plans for the arts
• Ability to align artistic vision with organizational goals, anticipating future trends and opportunities in the arts
• Ability to quickly identify challenges or obstacles and develop innovative solutions
• Adaptability to changing circumstances 
• Ability to appreciate and support a wide range of artistic traditions and expressions, while also fostering an inclusive and equitable environment

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Exhibit the highest level of Christian integrity – his/her life reflects Christ-like morals, behavior, attitude, and leadership
• Foster a Christ-centered environment focused on Grateful Servanthood, Accountability, Compassion, and Collaboration, in alignment with our Guiding Principles
• Support the Mission and Statement of Faith or Orange Lutheran High School
• A life-long learner who models intellectual curiosity, self-reflection, and stewardship of talents

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must have the physical abilities to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above 

• Frequently move about the campus, sit for extended periods, talk and hear, use hands to handle, feel, or grasp objects 
• Occasionally stand, walk, push, pull, or lift, up to 15 pounds, reach with hands or arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, taste, or smell 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• The majority of work is performed in a climate-controlled school setting, with occasional outside exposure to varying weather conditions
• The noise level is that of a typical quiet office setting with occasional exposure to moderate to loud noise at school events

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of positions given this title and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments. Specific job-related duties assigned by hiring departments shall be consistent with the representative essential functions listed above and shall not be construed as expanding a particular position’s role, scope, and FLSA status, or grade.

Qualifications