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IDEAS
- Executive Director – Gallo Center for the Arts via TOC Arts Partners
About the Opportunity
The Gallo Center for the Arts (GCA) seeks a dynamic, mission-driven executive to serve as its next Executive Director. This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished arts leader to guide a thriving, community-rooted performing arts center into its next era — building on a strong artistic and civic legacy while strengthening the organization’s financial foundation, programming, and community partnerships.
About the Gallo Center for the Arts
The Gallo Center for the Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts complex located in the heart of vibrant downtown Modesto, California. The Center features two indoor performance venues — the 1,248-seat Mary Stuart Rogers Theater and the 440-seat Foster Family Theater, connected by a grand shared lobby — as well as year-round outdoor community programming in the Modesto Rotary Music Garden.
The mission of the Gallo Center is to enrich the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley by providing an inspirational civic gathering place where regional, national, and international cultural activities illuminate, educate, and entertain. The Gallo Center celebrates the diversity of its community by offering an array of cultural opportunities designed to appeal to, and be accessible for, all.
For more information about the Gallo Center for the Arts, please visit GalloArts.org.
About Modesto, California
Halfway between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park and surrounded by some of the state’s richest farmland, the growing city of Modesto sits at the very heart of California and is the region’s cultural and agriculture center. Modesto is located in the center of the Central Valley surrounded by the Coastal Ranges and the Sierra Nevada, and close by, the numerous farmlands that produce a majority of several crops for the United States. Modesto has a Mediterranean climate, with cool to mild winters with moderate rainfall and warm, dry summers.
Cultural life in Modesto is as varied as its diverse population. In the heart of downtown you can see many of the 100 colorful street murals painted by international artists invited to Modesto as part of the annual DoMo Walls festival. Nationally known musicians and touring Broadway musicals come to town for performances at the Gallo Center for the Arts, sharing the spaces with established and valued resident companies presenting music, dance and theatre. Downtown Modesto hosts a monthly Art Walk, with local artists displaying art for sale, artist demos, local gallery shows, in a multi-venue map self-guided tour. And of course, the exciting food and wine scene of Modesto and the region is fueled by the central role Modesto holds in viticulture and agriculture that impacts the entire nation.
For more information about Modesto:
https://visitmodesto.com/
https://www.modestogov.com/Job Description
The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Gallo Center for the Arts. This role is responsible for overseeing programming, financial stewardship, development, marketing, and community engagement. The ED will also work in collaboration with the current Chief Operating Officer on a division of duties and responsibilities relating to the operation of the Gallo Center for the Arts. The Executive Director ensures that GCA presents high-quality performing arts and community events while maintaining sustainable business practices, and serves as the organization’s primary ambassador to donors, civic leaders, artists, and the broader Modesto community.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Direction
- Provide overall leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the Center, in alignment with the mission and goals established by the Board of Directors.
- In collaboration with senior staff and the Board, articulate the organization’s strategic opportunities and craft the roadmap for the Gallo Center’s next era, with particular attention to the priorities identified in the organization’s new strategic plan.
- Ensure that the Center’s stated values guide daily operations, with a keen focus on the care and well-being of staff, artists, volunteers and community members.
- Model and lead a culture of teamwork and shared responsibilities and accountability.
- Maintain productive communication among staff, leadership, volunteers and the Board to foster a culture of transparency and collaboration on issues ranging from finance to artistic philosophy.
- Formulate and recommend policies, procedures, and programs for Board consideration, and ensure accurate recordkeeping for all organizational activities.
- Provide leadership and direction to staff, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Programming & Artistic Curation
- Lead Gallo Center programming in keeping with the organization’s mission, vision, and values, and oversee development, scheduling, and execution of the annual calendar of performances, events, and programs.
- Deepen the Center’s understanding of its audience and community, applying a responsive approach to programming and community events.
- Nurture productive and supportive relationships with the Gallo Center resident companies and their patrons.
- Ensure the quality and viability of ongoing and new artistic programs and services.
- Engage the Board of Directors around the reach and impact of Gallo Center programs to strengthen their effectiveness as ambassadors for the organization.
Financial & Operational Management
- Develop and implement strategies to maximize revenue generation through event programming, venue rentals, sponsorships, and partnerships, and identify new revenue streams to strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
- In collaboration with the COO, analyze and evaluate the Center’s financial performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency and profitability. Invest in the Center’s financial performance, including budget development, forecasting, monitoring, and revision, ensuring that budgets, revenue targets, and operational goals are met.
- Partner with the COO in preparation and review of financial reports and budget forecasts for the Board and other stakeholders.
- Support the COO and teams to ensure efficient facility operations and maintenance, preventive safety measures, and safe equipment, and lead capital planning initiatives for facility improvements, working with stakeholders to prioritize projects and secure funding.
Development & External Affairs
- Lead a strategic and expansive fundraising program in collaboration with the Board and senior staff, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual and institutional donors.
- Lead capital campaign, donor cultivation, and grant solicitation efforts as needed.
- Cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with local businesses, community organizations, donors, and funding agencies to expand support for the Center’s mission and goals.
- Represent the Gallo Center in negotiations with artists, promoters, and other stakeholders to secure high-profile performances and events.
- Champion the Gallo Center’s vision and mission at public events and industry gatherings, locally and nationally.
- Participate actively in the Modesto-area arts and business community as a key artistic leader of the region.
Marketing & Community Engagement
- Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to develop innovative promotional campaigns that drive ticket sales and attendance.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the Center and its resident companies, community partners, and the public, and act as a liaison between the Gallo Center and government entities, local businesses and arts organizations, and community groups.
- Lead outreach and educational initiatives to broaden access to the performing arts, and support and promote the reach and impact of these programs.
People & Organizational Culture
- Ensure efficient and professional management of all Center operations, including staff, budgets, and facilities.
- Set the tone for the supervision and evaluation of staff; ensure appropriate training is provided; handle sensitive personnel matters with discretion and in accordance with organizational policy.
- Actively support and respect diversity in the workplace.
Perform other duties as assigned. This list of responsibilities is representative, not exhaustive.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field required; Master’s degree in Arts Management, Business Administration (MBA), or a related discipline preferred. Additional professional development or certification in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or performing arts management is a plus.
- Minimum of ten years of senior management experience, preferably in arts, cultural, or nonprofit organizations, including experience overseeing complex budgets and achieving revenue-generation goals.
- Experience managing staff, volunteers, and contractors within a multi-departmental organization, and a track record of developing and implementing innovative programming that drives audience engagement and organizational growth.
- Experience in a non-profit performing arts center or organization, bringing strong management skills with a human-centered focus and a track record of effective collaboration with staff, boards, and community members — leading while sharing authority and responsibility.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Comprehensive understanding of and experience in the performing arts industry, including programming, production, audience engagement, and community outreach, along with revenue-generation strategies and best practices in the field.
- In-depth knowledge of nonprofit management, governance, reporting requirements, and fundraising strategies, and financial management understanding spanning budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis and reporting.
- Strategic thinking, planning, and visioning skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues, develop effective solutions, and guide organizational mission, long-term goals, and operational efficiency.
- Strong leadership and management skills, with demonstrated ability to inspire, mentor, supervise, and motivate staff, volunteers, and resident companies.
- Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to prepare and deliver effective reports and communications on complex information to staff, boards, donors, and community stakeholders.
- Marketing, public relations, and audience-development skills to enhance visibility, engagement, and ticket sales.
- Problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, with the ability to lead a complex organization while balancing financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and artistic excellence.
- Capacity to build and maintain collaborative relationships across departments, boards, donors, partners, and artists, including comfort and enthusiasm for engaging prospective donors and board members.
- Creativity and innovation, with a demonstrated ability to advance the mission and goals of the Gallo Center, and experience with or knowledge of innovative ways to use performance spaces to better serve artists and community.
- A long-term view of balancing artistic and programming goals with administrative capacity and financial feasibility, and an inquisitive, adaptable approach to tackling challenges in a rapidly changing environment.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout all organizational operations, and the ability to represent the organization publicly with professionalism, credibility, and enthusiasm.
- Ability and willingness to work irregular and flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, in alignment with performance and programming schedules.
Compensation
Salary range: $190,000 to 220,000, commensurate with experience.
The Gallo Center for the Arts offers a competitive compensation package, including:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending and health savings accounts
- Accidental death and dismemberment and life insurance
- 529 college savings plan
- Long-term disability coverage
- 401(k) plan with employer match
- Vacation, holiday, and sick pay
Application Instructions
The search for the Executive Director of the Gallo Center for the Arts is being conducted with the support of Cynthia Fuhrman of TOC Arts Partners, a New York–based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries, with an office in Portland, Oregon.
To apply, please visit the online application and submit your materials. Your cover letter should describe your relevant experience, including any direct experience with similar roles and institutions.
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.comThe priority application deadline is August 25, 2026. Applications received by this date will be given priority consideration. Applications received after this date will still be accepted and considered; early application is encouraged for the best chance of consideration. Meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview.
- The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra seeks Chief Executive Officer.
ZRG Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in the search for a Chief Executive Officer
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will lead one of Indianapolis’s most visible and respected cultural institutions from a position of strength. Supported by a talented leadership team, an engaged Board of Directors, and a community that values the orchestra’s contributions, the CEO will build on a strong foundation while guiding the ISO through its next phase of growth. This leader will provide the strategic vision to expand the orchestra’s impact, strengthen its role in the community, and advance its tradition of artistic excellence and innovation.
As Indiana’s largest nonprofit performing arts organization, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra welcomes more than 200,000 people each year to its concerts and educational programs. From its home on Monument Circle in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, the ISO serves a growing and vibrant community through more than 150 concerts and educational programs presented over a 12-month season. Its programming reflects a commitment to artistic excellence, offering audiences of all ages a broad range of musical experiences that inspire, engage, and connect.
Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Jun Märkl, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s 78 professional musicians offer a wide-ranging season of performances at the historic 1,660-seat Hilbert Circle Theatre, which is owned by the ISO Foundation, and at venues throughout Central Indiana. Its programming includes the Classical Series; Printing Partners Pops Series; Bank of America Film Series; Uncharted Series; Coffee Classical and Pops concerts; the annual AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration, under the leadership of Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly; Kroger Symphony on the Prairie; and other special performances that engage audiences throughout the year.
As it approaches its second century in 2030, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is guided by a vision to be a dynamic and unifying leader in the arts, serving the community through inspiring, innovative, and accessible musical and educational experiences. By investing in innovative programming, collaborative partnerships, and organizational capacity, the ISO is positioning itself for long-term artistic and financial sustainability.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is governed by a 37-member Board of Directors and has an annual operating budget of approximately $28 million. The ISO is supported by an endowment of $122.5 million.
At least ten years of senior leadership experience, including the management of a team of at least twenty members, is required for this position. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the ISO, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus.
The salary range for this position is $275,000 to $325,000. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 3%; employer contributions to a Health Savings Account; flexible spending accounts; long-term disability, life, and AD&D insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; and pre-tax parking benefits.
The ISO is committed to the inclusion of all qualified candidates. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Millie Taylor at millietaylor@aspenleadershipgroup.com.
To apply for this position, visit: https://apptrkr.com/9752668.
- The Painter Who Uses Medieval Style And Techniques To Address The 21st Century
“Today (Malo Chapuy) paints religious scenes, altarpieces, and early Renaissance-style portraits that look like museum artifacts save for the proliferation of wind turbines, water towers, astronauts, and spaceships.” – Art in America
- Prediction Markets Are Wrecking Civil Society
Monetizing the full gamut of reality, platforms have opened Pandora’s box. Basic tenets of liberal society—democratic integrity and respect for human life—are being corroded. Regulators need to step in. – The Walrus
- As AI Overwhelms The Web: What Was The Internet?
Despite valiant efforts by activists and reformers, it’s been the dystopians’ world—or at least the realists’—for some time now: an age of techno-feudalism, digital colonialism, the new Jim Code. – Boston Review
ISSUES
- The Painter Who Uses Medieval Style And Techniques To Address The 21st Century
“Today (Malo Chapuy) paints religious scenes, altarpieces, and early Renaissance-style portraits that look like museum artifacts save for the proliferation of wind turbines, water towers, astronauts, and spaceships.” – Art in America
- London’s National Gallery Asked Citizens To Help Chart The Future. Some Are Angry They Asked
London’s National Gallery is facing backlash from conservative groups in the U.K. after convening a 50-citizen assembly to help shape its future planning. – Artnet
- Concern That IndyCar Race On The DC Streets Might Damage Museum Art
One of those institutions, the National Gallery of Art, has studied vibrations ahead of the race as it prepares for possible effects on its art — but it’s declining to say what it found. – Washington Post
- Uffizi Galleries In Florence Reveal Plans For Two-Year, $57 Million Renovation
“The (€50 million) revamp includes dozens of projects in the Gallery of Statues and Paintings, the nearby Palazzo Pitti, and the Boboli Gardens, some of which have already begun, while others are scheduled to start in the coming months, allowing the museum to remain open.” – ARTnews
- Company Turns AI On Art Fraud
In practical terms, that means a knowledge graph representing thousands of artworks, with billions of nodes detailing the complex relationships its algorithms have identified between them. – Didginomica
MEDIA
- Study: Arts Orgs That Got More COVID Relief Funding Are Doing Better Than Those That Didn’t
From Sacramento and Seattle to New York City and Philadelphia, the study highlights diverging trends across cities — some rebounded from the pandemic and even exceeded their 2019 numbers, while others plummeted. – Hyperallergic
- Seven Smithsonian Museums Closed Due To HVAC Issue
The museums, all on the south side of the National Mall, share one of the General Service Administration’s HVAC plants; the chilled water supply at that facility was disrupted on Thursday, leaving the museums without air conditioning during a heat wave. The buildings will reopen once the issue is resolved. – Washington City Paper
- Do The People Of This Slovakian Village Really Want To Lose UNESCO World Heritage Status?
That’s what all the headlines said, but the people of the well-preserved medieval village of Vlkolínec say it’s not that simple. They want to protect their small, still-living community from the pressures of overtourism, which could easily overwhelm it. – Deutsche Welle
- Dallas’s Perot Museum Of Nature And Science Seems To Be Planning A Big Expansion It Hasn’t Announced
The news comes from a filing the museum made last week with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; management has also filed with the city of Dallas for a construction permit. Work is expected to start early next year. – The Dallas Morning News (MSN)
- The Problem With Super-Flexible High-Tech Performance Venues
Justin Davidson on New York’s Perelman Arts Center and The Shed: “Now the boldest experimenters can take advantage of walls that move at the touch of a button, precision lifts, rooms that shrink and expand, projected images (on) moving surfaces. … Yet the revolution, now that it’s here, feels anticlimactic and overpriced.” – Curbed (MSN)
MUSIC
- Exploding Myths About The English Language
If languages had all been getting ever easier over all of that time, humans worldwide would just be yelling “ah,” pointing at things and gesturing frantically. Despite occasional appearances otherwise, we are doing better than that. – The New York Times
- When Today’s Slang Leaves You Behind
I knew the context. I knew who was using it. I knew when it should be used. I knew when it was already embarrassing to use it. I wasn’t speaking the language but I was fluent. Now, I’m joining the ranks of the bamboozled elderly and Googling “quiet on the creek”. – The Guardian
- Readers Prefer AI-Generated Stories To Human-Written Ones — As Long As They Don’t Know About The AI Part: Study
“Readers gave AI-generated stories they believed to be written by humans the highest ratings in a new study published by Cambridge University Press, … with researchers noting that ‘participants generally seemed to have poor instincts about how to tell which story was AI-generated’.” – The Bookseller (UK)
- Simon & Schuster Will Go Ahead With Embattled Academic Jason Arday’s Memoir
Arday is the sociologist who just resigned from Cambridge after accusations of plagiarism and of being, basically, the British George Santos. Despite the possibility that some of what he recounts in his book is untrue, S&S is “proceeding with the publication of Great and Unfortunate Things by Jason Arday as planned.” – The Guardian
- The Mystic Poet-Saints Of Kashmir, One Hindu And One Muslim
The 14th-century Hindu poetess Lal Ded and the 15th-century Sufi Muslim poet Nund Rishi wrote not in the elegant, aristocratic court language, Persian, but with simple words and phrases in Kashmiri, the everyday language of ordinary people These mystics are seen by many Kashmiris as spiritual grandmother and grandfather, even today. – The Conversation
PEOPLE
- Executive Director – Gallo Center for the Arts via TOC Arts Partners
About the Opportunity
The Gallo Center for the Arts (GCA) seeks a dynamic, mission-driven executive to serve as its next Executive Director. This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished arts leader to guide a thriving, community-rooted performing arts center into its next era — building on a strong artistic and civic legacy while strengthening the organization’s financial foundation, programming, and community partnerships.
About the Gallo Center for the Arts
The Gallo Center for the Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts complex located in the heart of vibrant downtown Modesto, California. The Center features two indoor performance venues — the 1,248-seat Mary Stuart Rogers Theater and the 440-seat Foster Family Theater, connected by a grand shared lobby — as well as year-round outdoor community programming in the Modesto Rotary Music Garden.
The mission of the Gallo Center is to enrich the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley by providing an inspirational civic gathering place where regional, national, and international cultural activities illuminate, educate, and entertain. The Gallo Center celebrates the diversity of its community by offering an array of cultural opportunities designed to appeal to, and be accessible for, all.
For more information about the Gallo Center for the Arts, please visit GalloArts.org.
About Modesto, California
Halfway between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park and surrounded by some of the state’s richest farmland, the growing city of Modesto sits at the very heart of California and is the region’s cultural and agriculture center. Modesto is located in the center of the Central Valley surrounded by the Coastal Ranges and the Sierra Nevada, and close by, the numerous farmlands that produce a majority of several crops for the United States. Modesto has a Mediterranean climate, with cool to mild winters with moderate rainfall and warm, dry summers.
Cultural life in Modesto is as varied as its diverse population. In the heart of downtown you can see many of the 100 colorful street murals painted by international artists invited to Modesto as part of the annual DoMo Walls festival. Nationally known musicians and touring Broadway musicals come to town for performances at the Gallo Center for the Arts, sharing the spaces with established and valued resident companies presenting music, dance and theatre. Downtown Modesto hosts a monthly Art Walk, with local artists displaying art for sale, artist demos, local gallery shows, in a multi-venue map self-guided tour. And of course, the exciting food and wine scene of Modesto and the region is fueled by the central role Modesto holds in viticulture and agriculture that impacts the entire nation.
For more information about Modesto:
https://visitmodesto.com/
https://www.modestogov.com/Job Description
The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Gallo Center for the Arts. This role is responsible for overseeing programming, financial stewardship, development, marketing, and community engagement. The ED will also work in collaboration with the current Chief Operating Officer on a division of duties and responsibilities relating to the operation of the Gallo Center for the Arts. The Executive Director ensures that GCA presents high-quality performing arts and community events while maintaining sustainable business practices, and serves as the organization’s primary ambassador to donors, civic leaders, artists, and the broader Modesto community.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Direction
- Provide overall leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the Center, in alignment with the mission and goals established by the Board of Directors.
- In collaboration with senior staff and the Board, articulate the organization’s strategic opportunities and craft the roadmap for the Gallo Center’s next era, with particular attention to the priorities identified in the organization’s new strategic plan.
- Ensure that the Center’s stated values guide daily operations, with a keen focus on the care and well-being of staff, artists, volunteers and community members.
- Model and lead a culture of teamwork and shared responsibilities and accountability.
- Maintain productive communication among staff, leadership, volunteers and the Board to foster a culture of transparency and collaboration on issues ranging from finance to artistic philosophy.
- Formulate and recommend policies, procedures, and programs for Board consideration, and ensure accurate recordkeeping for all organizational activities.
- Provide leadership and direction to staff, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Programming & Artistic Curation
- Lead Gallo Center programming in keeping with the organization’s mission, vision, and values, and oversee development, scheduling, and execution of the annual calendar of performances, events, and programs.
- Deepen the Center’s understanding of its audience and community, applying a responsive approach to programming and community events.
- Nurture productive and supportive relationships with the Gallo Center resident companies and their patrons.
- Ensure the quality and viability of ongoing and new artistic programs and services.
- Engage the Board of Directors around the reach and impact of Gallo Center programs to strengthen their effectiveness as ambassadors for the organization.
Financial & Operational Management
- Develop and implement strategies to maximize revenue generation through event programming, venue rentals, sponsorships, and partnerships, and identify new revenue streams to strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
- In collaboration with the COO, analyze and evaluate the Center’s financial performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency and profitability. Invest in the Center’s financial performance, including budget development, forecasting, monitoring, and revision, ensuring that budgets, revenue targets, and operational goals are met.
- Partner with the COO in preparation and review of financial reports and budget forecasts for the Board and other stakeholders.
- Support the COO and teams to ensure efficient facility operations and maintenance, preventive safety measures, and safe equipment, and lead capital planning initiatives for facility improvements, working with stakeholders to prioritize projects and secure funding.
Development & External Affairs
- Lead a strategic and expansive fundraising program in collaboration with the Board and senior staff, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual and institutional donors.
- Lead capital campaign, donor cultivation, and grant solicitation efforts as needed.
- Cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with local businesses, community organizations, donors, and funding agencies to expand support for the Center’s mission and goals.
- Represent the Gallo Center in negotiations with artists, promoters, and other stakeholders to secure high-profile performances and events.
- Champion the Gallo Center’s vision and mission at public events and industry gatherings, locally and nationally.
- Participate actively in the Modesto-area arts and business community as a key artistic leader of the region.
Marketing & Community Engagement
- Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to develop innovative promotional campaigns that drive ticket sales and attendance.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the Center and its resident companies, community partners, and the public, and act as a liaison between the Gallo Center and government entities, local businesses and arts organizations, and community groups.
- Lead outreach and educational initiatives to broaden access to the performing arts, and support and promote the reach and impact of these programs.
People & Organizational Culture
- Ensure efficient and professional management of all Center operations, including staff, budgets, and facilities.
- Set the tone for the supervision and evaluation of staff; ensure appropriate training is provided; handle sensitive personnel matters with discretion and in accordance with organizational policy.
- Actively support and respect diversity in the workplace.
Perform other duties as assigned. This list of responsibilities is representative, not exhaustive.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field required; Master’s degree in Arts Management, Business Administration (MBA), or a related discipline preferred. Additional professional development or certification in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or performing arts management is a plus.
- Minimum of ten years of senior management experience, preferably in arts, cultural, or nonprofit organizations, including experience overseeing complex budgets and achieving revenue-generation goals.
- Experience managing staff, volunteers, and contractors within a multi-departmental organization, and a track record of developing and implementing innovative programming that drives audience engagement and organizational growth.
- Experience in a non-profit performing arts center or organization, bringing strong management skills with a human-centered focus and a track record of effective collaboration with staff, boards, and community members — leading while sharing authority and responsibility.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Comprehensive understanding of and experience in the performing arts industry, including programming, production, audience engagement, and community outreach, along with revenue-generation strategies and best practices in the field.
- In-depth knowledge of nonprofit management, governance, reporting requirements, and fundraising strategies, and financial management understanding spanning budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis and reporting.
- Strategic thinking, planning, and visioning skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues, develop effective solutions, and guide organizational mission, long-term goals, and operational efficiency.
- Strong leadership and management skills, with demonstrated ability to inspire, mentor, supervise, and motivate staff, volunteers, and resident companies.
- Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to prepare and deliver effective reports and communications on complex information to staff, boards, donors, and community stakeholders.
- Marketing, public relations, and audience-development skills to enhance visibility, engagement, and ticket sales.
- Problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, with the ability to lead a complex organization while balancing financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and artistic excellence.
- Capacity to build and maintain collaborative relationships across departments, boards, donors, partners, and artists, including comfort and enthusiasm for engaging prospective donors and board members.
- Creativity and innovation, with a demonstrated ability to advance the mission and goals of the Gallo Center, and experience with or knowledge of innovative ways to use performance spaces to better serve artists and community.
- A long-term view of balancing artistic and programming goals with administrative capacity and financial feasibility, and an inquisitive, adaptable approach to tackling challenges in a rapidly changing environment.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout all organizational operations, and the ability to represent the organization publicly with professionalism, credibility, and enthusiasm.
- Ability and willingness to work irregular and flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, in alignment with performance and programming schedules.
Compensation
Salary range: $190,000 to 220,000, commensurate with experience.
The Gallo Center for the Arts offers a competitive compensation package, including:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending and health savings accounts
- Accidental death and dismemberment and life insurance
- 529 college savings plan
- Long-term disability coverage
- 401(k) plan with employer match
- Vacation, holiday, and sick pay
Application Instructions
The search for the Executive Director of the Gallo Center for the Arts is being conducted with the support of Cynthia Fuhrman of TOC Arts Partners, a New York–based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries, with an office in Portland, Oregon.
To apply, please visit the online application and submit your materials. Your cover letter should describe your relevant experience, including any direct experience with similar roles and institutions.
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.comThe priority application deadline is August 25, 2026. Applications received by this date will be given priority consideration. Applications received after this date will still be accepted and considered; early application is encouraged for the best chance of consideration. Meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview.
- The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra seeks Chief Executive Officer.
ZRG Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in the search for a Chief Executive Officer
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will lead one of Indianapolis’s most visible and respected cultural institutions from a position of strength. Supported by a talented leadership team, an engaged Board of Directors, and a community that values the orchestra’s contributions, the CEO will build on a strong foundation while guiding the ISO through its next phase of growth. This leader will provide the strategic vision to expand the orchestra’s impact, strengthen its role in the community, and advance its tradition of artistic excellence and innovation.
As Indiana’s largest nonprofit performing arts organization, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra welcomes more than 200,000 people each year to its concerts and educational programs. From its home on Monument Circle in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, the ISO serves a growing and vibrant community through more than 150 concerts and educational programs presented over a 12-month season. Its programming reflects a commitment to artistic excellence, offering audiences of all ages a broad range of musical experiences that inspire, engage, and connect.
Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Jun Märkl, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s 78 professional musicians offer a wide-ranging season of performances at the historic 1,660-seat Hilbert Circle Theatre, which is owned by the ISO Foundation, and at venues throughout Central Indiana. Its programming includes the Classical Series; Printing Partners Pops Series; Bank of America Film Series; Uncharted Series; Coffee Classical and Pops concerts; the annual AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration, under the leadership of Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly; Kroger Symphony on the Prairie; and other special performances that engage audiences throughout the year.
As it approaches its second century in 2030, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is guided by a vision to be a dynamic and unifying leader in the arts, serving the community through inspiring, innovative, and accessible musical and educational experiences. By investing in innovative programming, collaborative partnerships, and organizational capacity, the ISO is positioning itself for long-term artistic and financial sustainability.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is governed by a 37-member Board of Directors and has an annual operating budget of approximately $28 million. The ISO is supported by an endowment of $122.5 million.
At least ten years of senior leadership experience, including the management of a team of at least twenty members, is required for this position. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the ISO, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus.
The salary range for this position is $275,000 to $325,000. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 3%; employer contributions to a Health Savings Account; flexible spending accounts; long-term disability, life, and AD&D insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; and pre-tax parking benefits.
The ISO is committed to the inclusion of all qualified candidates. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Millie Taylor at millietaylor@aspenleadershipgroup.com.
To apply for this position, visit: https://apptrkr.com/9752668.
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“Today (Malo Chapuy) paints religious scenes, altarpieces, and early Renaissance-style portraits that look like museum artifacts save for the proliferation of wind turbines, water towers, astronauts, and spaceships.” – Art in America
- Prediction Markets Are Wrecking Civil Society
Monetizing the full gamut of reality, platforms have opened Pandora’s box. Basic tenets of liberal society—democratic integrity and respect for human life—are being corroded. Regulators need to step in. – The Walrus
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Despite valiant efforts by activists and reformers, it’s been the dystopians’ world—or at least the realists’—for some time now: an age of techno-feudalism, digital colonialism, the new Jim Code. – Boston Review
PEOPLE
- Executive Director – Gallo Center for the Arts via TOC Arts Partners
About the Opportunity
The Gallo Center for the Arts (GCA) seeks a dynamic, mission-driven executive to serve as its next Executive Director. This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished arts leader to guide a thriving, community-rooted performing arts center into its next era — building on a strong artistic and civic legacy while strengthening the organization’s financial foundation, programming, and community partnerships.
About the Gallo Center for the Arts
The Gallo Center for the Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts complex located in the heart of vibrant downtown Modesto, California. The Center features two indoor performance venues — the 1,248-seat Mary Stuart Rogers Theater and the 440-seat Foster Family Theater, connected by a grand shared lobby — as well as year-round outdoor community programming in the Modesto Rotary Music Garden.
The mission of the Gallo Center is to enrich the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley by providing an inspirational civic gathering place where regional, national, and international cultural activities illuminate, educate, and entertain. The Gallo Center celebrates the diversity of its community by offering an array of cultural opportunities designed to appeal to, and be accessible for, all.
For more information about the Gallo Center for the Arts, please visit GalloArts.org.
About Modesto, California
Halfway between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park and surrounded by some of the state’s richest farmland, the growing city of Modesto sits at the very heart of California and is the region’s cultural and agriculture center. Modesto is located in the center of the Central Valley surrounded by the Coastal Ranges and the Sierra Nevada, and close by, the numerous farmlands that produce a majority of several crops for the United States. Modesto has a Mediterranean climate, with cool to mild winters with moderate rainfall and warm, dry summers.
Cultural life in Modesto is as varied as its diverse population. In the heart of downtown you can see many of the 100 colorful street murals painted by international artists invited to Modesto as part of the annual DoMo Walls festival. Nationally known musicians and touring Broadway musicals come to town for performances at the Gallo Center for the Arts, sharing the spaces with established and valued resident companies presenting music, dance and theatre. Downtown Modesto hosts a monthly Art Walk, with local artists displaying art for sale, artist demos, local gallery shows, in a multi-venue map self-guided tour. And of course, the exciting food and wine scene of Modesto and the region is fueled by the central role Modesto holds in viticulture and agriculture that impacts the entire nation.
For more information about Modesto:
https://visitmodesto.com/
https://www.modestogov.com/Job Description
The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Gallo Center for the Arts. This role is responsible for overseeing programming, financial stewardship, development, marketing, and community engagement. The ED will also work in collaboration with the current Chief Operating Officer on a division of duties and responsibilities relating to the operation of the Gallo Center for the Arts. The Executive Director ensures that GCA presents high-quality performing arts and community events while maintaining sustainable business practices, and serves as the organization’s primary ambassador to donors, civic leaders, artists, and the broader Modesto community.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Direction
- Provide overall leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the Center, in alignment with the mission and goals established by the Board of Directors.
- In collaboration with senior staff and the Board, articulate the organization’s strategic opportunities and craft the roadmap for the Gallo Center’s next era, with particular attention to the priorities identified in the organization’s new strategic plan.
- Ensure that the Center’s stated values guide daily operations, with a keen focus on the care and well-being of staff, artists, volunteers and community members.
- Model and lead a culture of teamwork and shared responsibilities and accountability.
- Maintain productive communication among staff, leadership, volunteers and the Board to foster a culture of transparency and collaboration on issues ranging from finance to artistic philosophy.
- Formulate and recommend policies, procedures, and programs for Board consideration, and ensure accurate recordkeeping for all organizational activities.
- Provide leadership and direction to staff, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Programming & Artistic Curation
- Lead Gallo Center programming in keeping with the organization’s mission, vision, and values, and oversee development, scheduling, and execution of the annual calendar of performances, events, and programs.
- Deepen the Center’s understanding of its audience and community, applying a responsive approach to programming and community events.
- Nurture productive and supportive relationships with the Gallo Center resident companies and their patrons.
- Ensure the quality and viability of ongoing and new artistic programs and services.
- Engage the Board of Directors around the reach and impact of Gallo Center programs to strengthen their effectiveness as ambassadors for the organization.
Financial & Operational Management
- Develop and implement strategies to maximize revenue generation through event programming, venue rentals, sponsorships, and partnerships, and identify new revenue streams to strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
- In collaboration with the COO, analyze and evaluate the Center’s financial performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency and profitability. Invest in the Center’s financial performance, including budget development, forecasting, monitoring, and revision, ensuring that budgets, revenue targets, and operational goals are met.
- Partner with the COO in preparation and review of financial reports and budget forecasts for the Board and other stakeholders.
- Support the COO and teams to ensure efficient facility operations and maintenance, preventive safety measures, and safe equipment, and lead capital planning initiatives for facility improvements, working with stakeholders to prioritize projects and secure funding.
Development & External Affairs
- Lead a strategic and expansive fundraising program in collaboration with the Board and senior staff, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual and institutional donors.
- Lead capital campaign, donor cultivation, and grant solicitation efforts as needed.
- Cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with local businesses, community organizations, donors, and funding agencies to expand support for the Center’s mission and goals.
- Represent the Gallo Center in negotiations with artists, promoters, and other stakeholders to secure high-profile performances and events.
- Champion the Gallo Center’s vision and mission at public events and industry gatherings, locally and nationally.
- Participate actively in the Modesto-area arts and business community as a key artistic leader of the region.
Marketing & Community Engagement
- Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to develop innovative promotional campaigns that drive ticket sales and attendance.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the Center and its resident companies, community partners, and the public, and act as a liaison between the Gallo Center and government entities, local businesses and arts organizations, and community groups.
- Lead outreach and educational initiatives to broaden access to the performing arts, and support and promote the reach and impact of these programs.
People & Organizational Culture
- Ensure efficient and professional management of all Center operations, including staff, budgets, and facilities.
- Set the tone for the supervision and evaluation of staff; ensure appropriate training is provided; handle sensitive personnel matters with discretion and in accordance with organizational policy.
- Actively support and respect diversity in the workplace.
Perform other duties as assigned. This list of responsibilities is representative, not exhaustive.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field required; Master’s degree in Arts Management, Business Administration (MBA), or a related discipline preferred. Additional professional development or certification in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or performing arts management is a plus.
- Minimum of ten years of senior management experience, preferably in arts, cultural, or nonprofit organizations, including experience overseeing complex budgets and achieving revenue-generation goals.
- Experience managing staff, volunteers, and contractors within a multi-departmental organization, and a track record of developing and implementing innovative programming that drives audience engagement and organizational growth.
- Experience in a non-profit performing arts center or organization, bringing strong management skills with a human-centered focus and a track record of effective collaboration with staff, boards, and community members — leading while sharing authority and responsibility.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Comprehensive understanding of and experience in the performing arts industry, including programming, production, audience engagement, and community outreach, along with revenue-generation strategies and best practices in the field.
- In-depth knowledge of nonprofit management, governance, reporting requirements, and fundraising strategies, and financial management understanding spanning budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis and reporting.
- Strategic thinking, planning, and visioning skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues, develop effective solutions, and guide organizational mission, long-term goals, and operational efficiency.
- Strong leadership and management skills, with demonstrated ability to inspire, mentor, supervise, and motivate staff, volunteers, and resident companies.
- Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to prepare and deliver effective reports and communications on complex information to staff, boards, donors, and community stakeholders.
- Marketing, public relations, and audience-development skills to enhance visibility, engagement, and ticket sales.
- Problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, with the ability to lead a complex organization while balancing financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and artistic excellence.
- Capacity to build and maintain collaborative relationships across departments, boards, donors, partners, and artists, including comfort and enthusiasm for engaging prospective donors and board members.
- Creativity and innovation, with a demonstrated ability to advance the mission and goals of the Gallo Center, and experience with or knowledge of innovative ways to use performance spaces to better serve artists and community.
- A long-term view of balancing artistic and programming goals with administrative capacity and financial feasibility, and an inquisitive, adaptable approach to tackling challenges in a rapidly changing environment.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout all organizational operations, and the ability to represent the organization publicly with professionalism, credibility, and enthusiasm.
- Ability and willingness to work irregular and flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, in alignment with performance and programming schedules.
Compensation
Salary range: $190,000 to 220,000, commensurate with experience.
The Gallo Center for the Arts offers a competitive compensation package, including:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending and health savings accounts
- Accidental death and dismemberment and life insurance
- 529 college savings plan
- Long-term disability coverage
- 401(k) plan with employer match
- Vacation, holiday, and sick pay
Application Instructions
The search for the Executive Director of the Gallo Center for the Arts is being conducted with the support of Cynthia Fuhrman of TOC Arts Partners, a New York–based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries, with an office in Portland, Oregon.
To apply, please visit the online application and submit your materials. Your cover letter should describe your relevant experience, including any direct experience with similar roles and institutions.
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.comThe priority application deadline is August 25, 2026. Applications received by this date will be given priority consideration. Applications received after this date will still be accepted and considered; early application is encouraged for the best chance of consideration. Meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview.
- The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra seeks Chief Executive Officer.
ZRG Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in the search for a Chief Executive Officer
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will lead one of Indianapolis’s most visible and respected cultural institutions from a position of strength. Supported by a talented leadership team, an engaged Board of Directors, and a community that values the orchestra’s contributions, the CEO will build on a strong foundation while guiding the ISO through its next phase of growth. This leader will provide the strategic vision to expand the orchestra’s impact, strengthen its role in the community, and advance its tradition of artistic excellence and innovation.
As Indiana’s largest nonprofit performing arts organization, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra welcomes more than 200,000 people each year to its concerts and educational programs. From its home on Monument Circle in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, the ISO serves a growing and vibrant community through more than 150 concerts and educational programs presented over a 12-month season. Its programming reflects a commitment to artistic excellence, offering audiences of all ages a broad range of musical experiences that inspire, engage, and connect.
Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Jun Märkl, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s 78 professional musicians offer a wide-ranging season of performances at the historic 1,660-seat Hilbert Circle Theatre, which is owned by the ISO Foundation, and at venues throughout Central Indiana. Its programming includes the Classical Series; Printing Partners Pops Series; Bank of America Film Series; Uncharted Series; Coffee Classical and Pops concerts; the annual AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration, under the leadership of Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly; Kroger Symphony on the Prairie; and other special performances that engage audiences throughout the year.
As it approaches its second century in 2030, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is guided by a vision to be a dynamic and unifying leader in the arts, serving the community through inspiring, innovative, and accessible musical and educational experiences. By investing in innovative programming, collaborative partnerships, and organizational capacity, the ISO is positioning itself for long-term artistic and financial sustainability.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is governed by a 37-member Board of Directors and has an annual operating budget of approximately $28 million. The ISO is supported by an endowment of $122.5 million.
At least ten years of senior leadership experience, including the management of a team of at least twenty members, is required for this position. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the ISO, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus.
The salary range for this position is $275,000 to $325,000. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 3%; employer contributions to a Health Savings Account; flexible spending accounts; long-term disability, life, and AD&D insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; and pre-tax parking benefits.
The ISO is committed to the inclusion of all qualified candidates. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Millie Taylor at millietaylor@aspenleadershipgroup.com.
To apply for this position, visit: https://apptrkr.com/9752668.
- The Painter Who Uses Medieval Style And Techniques To Address The 21st Century
“Today (Malo Chapuy) paints religious scenes, altarpieces, and early Renaissance-style portraits that look like museum artifacts save for the proliferation of wind turbines, water towers, astronauts, and spaceships.” – Art in America
- Prediction Markets Are Wrecking Civil Society
Monetizing the full gamut of reality, platforms have opened Pandora’s box. Basic tenets of liberal society—democratic integrity and respect for human life—are being corroded. Regulators need to step in. – The Walrus
- As AI Overwhelms The Web: What Was The Internet?
Despite valiant efforts by activists and reformers, it’s been the dystopians’ world—or at least the realists’—for some time now: an age of techno-feudalism, digital colonialism, the new Jim Code. – Boston Review
THEATRE
VISUAL
- Prediction Markets Are Wrecking Civil Society
Monetizing the full gamut of reality, platforms have opened Pandora’s box. Basic tenets of liberal society—democratic integrity and respect for human life—are being corroded. Regulators need to step in. – The Walrus
- As AI Overwhelms The Web: What Was The Internet?
Despite valiant efforts by activists and reformers, it’s been the dystopians’ world—or at least the realists’—for some time now: an age of techno-feudalism, digital colonialism, the new Jim Code. – Boston Review
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In my assessment, Gen Z’s dark and nonsensical humor does not show a lack of moral values, but it’s instead the product of its desire to engage in more authentic conversations about what they believe. – The Conversation
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The label of “neo-Luddism” or “digital Luddite” is also being reclaimed by people concerned about labour conditions, society and democracy in an era of AI expansion twinned with personal profit. – The Conversation
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Edinburgh has wrestled with for years: what is tourism actually for? If the answer is simply “more visitors, more spending”, the city will keep winning by numbers while residents feel they are losing by experience. – The Conversation