About the Opportunity
Union Arts Center (UAC) is the current title for a new producing organization formed by the merger of ACT Contemporary Theatre and Seattle Shakespeare Company, bringing a combined 100 years of creating vibrant, quality theatre to the Puget Sound region of Washington state. The new Artistic Director of this newly formed company will need to bring to the role the artistic entrepreneurship of a founder accompanied with the seasoned understanding and knowledge of an experienced leader. UAC seeks an AD to partner to Managing Director John Bradshaw to co-lead the company, and work with the Board and the Staff to articulate a compelling vision for the dynamic organization emerging from the energies of the previous companies.
About Union Arts Center
In the spring of 2025, both the ACT Contemporary Theatre (ACT) and the Seattle Shakespeare Company (SSC) Boards of Trustees approved the historic merger of these two venerable Seattle theatre companies, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.
This landmark decision came after an extensive deliberation and planning process that included incorporating valuable input from staff, donors, community members, and working committees. Since July 1, much has been accomplished for the newly formed Union Arts Center, under the direction of Managing Director John Bradshaw (formerly Executive Director of Seattle Shakespeare) and Interim Artistic Director Elisabeth Farwell-Morland, and supported by the exceptional staff made up of team members from both companies. An initial Board of Trustees made up of seven members from each of the originating company’s boards was formed; a new season of plays was planned, budgeted, announced, and launched; and a search committee was formed to conduct the search for the new Artistic Director. The Board and staff are looking forward to continuing the exciting work of crafting and articulating the UAC’s Mission, Vision and Values under the leadership of the new Artistic Director in partnership with John Bradshaw.
Union Arts Center’s home is the historic Eagles Auditorium Building, a 13-story building located in downtown Seattle. On the Registry of National Historic Places, the building has been the home of ACT since 1996. Completed in 1925, the building now has three primary stages, The Allen Theatre which accommodates 434 seats in the round, The Falls Theatre which seats 409, and The Eulalie Scandiuzzi Space which accommodates 75 seated patrons; the multi-purpose Bullitt Cabaret which seats up to 150 theatre patrons; and several other elegant event spaces which UAC counts among its earned revenue opportunities. UAC shares the building with Bellwether Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing entity; UAC owns and occupies 80% of the building.
UAC is governed by an elected Board of Trustees; there are currently fourteen members led by Cynthia Huffman. UAC operates under LORT C & D contracts. Learn more about Union Arts Center here.
Job Description
The Artistic Director serves as equal co-executive of Union Arts Center, in partnership with the Managing Director, both reporting to the Board of Directors. Together, the Managing Director and Artistic Director are responsible for ensuring Union Arts Center carries out its programming and broader mission within a financially sustainable business model. The Artistic Director also forms the vision for the company’s artistic development and provides leadership in the collaborative process to determine Union Arts Center’s artistic direction. The Artistic Director serves as the artistic voice and face of the company, bringing a holistic perspective of supporting the people within the organization while upholding the theatre’s commitment to artistic excellence. This position includes being a passionate and inspiring lead spokesperson for the theatre to the larger community. The Artistic Director oversees the Director of Production, Artistic Associate, Education Manager, and Casting Director. Additional supervision is provided to the General Manager, in partnership with the Managing Director.
Roles and Responsibilities
Artistic Leadership
- Provide strategic and innovative artistic leadership to guide and support Union Arts Center’s artistic direction, in partnership with the Managing Director and Board of Trustees
- Develop artistic programming and projects true to Union Arts Center mission, vision, and values
- Lead a curation process for season selection and other programming decisions that upholds the theatre’s commitment to diversity and equity
- Support an equitable and inclusive working environment, ensuring all cast, crew, and staff are held to consistent standards for conduct and treatment of others
- Oversee the production process of all theatre productions and related projects, including New Works Northwest commissions
- Develop and actively cultivate professional relationships with theatre artists and the larger theatre community
- Oversee the Education department and related efforts, ensuring alignment with organizational strategic goals
- Serve as an engaging and approachable community representative of Union Arts Center, cultivating external relationships to support the theatre’s ongoing meaningful integration in the arts community
- Oversee all external messaging in partnership with the Managing Director to ensure consistent brand development and management, and a cohesive artistic vision, through advertising, public relations, and fundraising materials
- Maintain an active, consistent presence in the community to represent and advocate for Union Arts Center as well as the wider artistic community
- Participate in Inclusivity Working Group (a committee composed of staff, Board, and Core Company Artists) initiatives and meetings while consistently championing genuine and meaningful organizational and individual commitments to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging in all institutional practices and processes
Organizational Leadership
- Partner with the Managing Director to develop a multi-year strategic plan that capitalizes on the merger between ACT & Seattle Shakespeare Company and the opportunities it presents for the organization and wider artistic community
- Actively promote the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, access, and belonging to ensure tangible and sustained efforts are made throughout the organization to build an organizational culture that nurtures goodwill, inclusion and empowerment
- Act as an integral executive leader in fundraising efforts, guiding Development staff in donor cultivation and ensuring a strong and cohesive artistic narrative in all communications
- Work closely with the Managing Director to lead ethical, accurate, and integrated budget preparation processes (annual budget as well as short- and long-range forecasts), using innovative and sound fiscal methods
- Help guide the integration of performance management processes including annual reviews and periodic check-in’s, utilizing best practices for delivering and receiving feedback
- Lead intentional learning efforts, cultivating individual and organizational growth mindsets
- Participate in continuous process improvement for recruitment and hiring processes of artistic staff, using standardized approaches for decision-making
- Participate in weekly Senior Staff meetings, regularly scheduled one-on-one meetings with direct reports; weekly check-in with Board Chair; and co-lead All Staff meetings as scheduled
- Participate in activities and meetings with the Board of Trustees
- Attend meetings of the Foundation Board
Preferred Qualifications / Skills
- Minimum of 5 years’ artistic leadership experience of a non-profit theatre, with demonstrated experience in bringing powerful and compelling artistic vision to fruition
- Commitment to creating genuine and meaningful community connections to deepen a theatre’s engagement and contributions to the larger community
- Extensive experience in successfully collaborating with diverse creative teams as an artistic leader
- An effective and compelling artistic and cultural ambassador, engaging with a wide variety of patrons, donors, and other community members
- Results and solution-oriented leadership approach with effective, inspiring communication
- Experience in developing and leading diverse and engaged creative and administrative teams
- Ability to attend performances and events on a regular basis to act as a Union Arts Center spokesperson with the community, including on evenings and weekends
- Willingness to routinely partner and collaborate with the Managing Director to co-lead Union Arts Center in a manner consistent with its mission, vision, and values
- Highly skilled in receiving and delivering feedback while demonstrating a growth mindset
- Flexible, adaptable, organized, and inclusive presence to support these cultural components of the organization
- The ability to move creative ideas to specific plans, with clear communication with others
- Willingness to fully engage in periodic performance reviews with Board oversight
- Ability to complete a background check, in accordance with Washington’s Fair Chance Act
Other key competencies/qualities desired of this role include:
Personal Accountability – The willingness to self-evaluate, learn from mistakes, take responsibility for personal actions and decisions, accept setbacks, and look for ways to progress. Willingly do the work to understand the deep ties and investments made historically in and by ACT and Seattle Shakespeare Company artists, boards and staff and how that can inform the future success of UAC.
Diplomacy and Leadership – The capacity to listen to and understand different perspectives, handle difficult issues with sensitivity and respect, and communicate effectively with people across hierarchical and functional borders. Exhibit generosity and share joy in the work, modeling for the company and the community the importance of and benefits of the art and the organization.
Resiliency – The recognition that criticism is an opportunity to improve, quickly recovering from adversity and accepting setbacks and looking for ways to progress and overcome setbacks and remaining optimistic in working through obstacles and challenges. Find equal energy in both the challenges and the opportunities of this work, both in creation of the art and the strengthening of the company.
Flexibility – The ability to respond promptly to shifts in priorities and tasks with minimal resistance, as well as agility in accepting new ideas and approaches.
This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. All Union Arts Center employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Compensation
UAC offers competitive compensation, with a starting salary of $150,000 and a generous benefits package that includes life and disability insurance; substantial employer contributions to medical coverage: a 403(b)-retirement plan; paid-time-off and holidays.
Application Instructions
The search for the Artistic Director is being conducted on behalf of UAC by TOC Arts Partners (formerly Tom O’Connor Consulting Group), a national consultancy aligning strategies, structures, and leadership toward a thriving cultural sector. Cynthia Fuhrman, Vice President/Executive Search, is leading the search process, reporting to a search committee made up of members of the UAC Board of Trustees and Staff.
Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role, and how your background and experience responds to the desired skills and qualities.
To apply, visit the online application (https://tinyurl.com/y9fptr22) and submit your materials. Your cover letter should include relevant experience, including any direct experience you’ve had with similar roles and institutions. For best consideration, please apply by October 20. No phone calls, please.
For general questions or nominations of prospective candidates, please contact searchteam@tocartspartners.com. We kindly request no phone calls.
Specific questions about the position may be directed to:
Cynthia Fuhrman
VP, Executive Search
cynthia@tocartspartners.com
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds in the performing arts or non-profit space. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
Additional Information
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate a computer and telephone. Command of the English language with the ability to be understood, and the ability to work in an open office environment. The work environment includes a variety of environments typical in a theatrical environment; administrative offices, theatres, scenic, paint, and costume shops, dressing rooms, backstage areas, and public spaces.
