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- Adrian Rodriguez talks about the importance of young people in the arts
Adrian Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement, Chorus Director and Curriculum Manager of the Music Advancement Program at The Juilliard School, shares how to implement a commitment to young people as they develop in the arts.
- Did Shakespeare Really Smoke Weed? The Answer Is Yes.
Some clay pipe fragments dug up from his backyard garden in Stratford-upon-Avon and dating from the time he lived there were found to contain cannabis residue. Okay, technically this evidence is circumstantial: there’s no proof that Shakespeare himself left those pipes there. (Maybe they were planted by the Earl of Oxford.) – Literary Hub
- Does It Matter if That Art You Liked Was Fake?
I wondered what it meant if the Greek water jar I had been so moved by, depicting a woman who may have been Sappho bent over a scroll, had in fact been a worthless copy. Did that make the experience any less real? – The Guardian
- The Bayeux Tapestry Was Too Fragile To Move. So Now It’s Visiting England? What Changed?
The shift in tone may seem stark, but the Bayeux Museum said it had carried out tests – including a dress rehearsal with a model – that persuaded its experts that the tapestry could be sent to the UK without excessive damage. – The Guardian
- The Avignon Festival Copes With Ever-Increasing Temperatures
Days over 100°F are no longer rare, with serious effects on audiences and workers. … Recent changes include eliminating performances between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., the hottest hours, … (and) a new rule for international artists: If you’re coming from overseas, you must have other touring dates in Europe. – The New York Times
- Scrappy Indie Publisher John Martin, 94
Martin, an adventurous independent publisher who brought out the raucous work of the poet Charles Bukowski, as well as the writing of other offbeat literary rebels like Paul Bowles, John Fante and Wyndham Lewis, died on June 23 at his home in Santa Rosa, Calif. – The New York Times
- Casing The Joint: Homeland Security Descends On Chicago’s National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts
According to the museum, officers told staff that they were there in an attempt to assess places where undocumented immigrants might enter and leave the museum at upcoming events. – Artnet
- Oakland Eliminates Its Top Arts Manager Position
The Oakland City Council passed a budget on June 11 that eliminated its Cultural Affairs Manager position, citing budgetary concerns. But critics say money-saving justifications haven’t been made in good faith. – San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
- Remember The Collective That Sold Pieces Of A Damien Hirst Painting Dot By Dot? Look At What They’re Up To Now.
“Billed as a ‘financial trust fall,’ the project” — a sculpture of an infant, built to be taken apart and divided, which the collective MSCHF has titled King Solomon’s Baby — “invites collectors to take the plunge (and buy a piece), hoping others will follow suit in a reverse pyramid scheme that’s artfully self-aware.” – ARTnews
- How Ancient Water Clocks Changed Our Notions Of Time
As ancient civilisations began to need more reliable timekeeping mechanisms, the technology took an extraordinary leap forward with the advent of dependable water clocks, which would remain the best technology available for the next 1,800 years. – Aeon
- Museums Are Rethinking The Environmental Costs Of Collection Climate Controls
These decades-old guidelines determine the temperature and relative humidity at which museums maintain their collections, but implementing them comes with high energy costs and carbon footprints. – The Art Newspaper
- How Slow-Motion Became The Movies’ Go-To Effect
The “slow-mo effect,” is retrospective, a trick of memory. Still, it indicates a remarkable theatricality, a cinematic flair, on the part of our brains. “We might experience almost everything in some form of slow motion if we thought that we were always dying.” – The New Republic
- Afghan Seen In Documentary “Retrograde” Was Killed By Taliban; His Family Sues Filmmakers
“Omar, (an) Afghan minesweeper tasked with protecting Green Berets, … was allegedly tracked down from a scene in Retrograde. … The estate accused the documentary’s producers of exploiting Omar’s identity for ‘commercial gain while knowingly placing him in grave danger’.” The producers say they’re protected by the First Amendment. – The Hollywood Reporter
- Gen Zers Are Flocking To NYC Art Schools
The surge comes as many young adults grapple with fears about the impacts of artificial intelligence, a sense of internet overload and a desire to reconnect with the physical world. – Gothamist
- How Trump’s BBBill Will Impact Non-Profits
Provisions in the new law raise unsettling questions about how the nonprofit world will be affected — and the answers may not be known for months or years. – Chronicle of Philanthropy
- Creative Tree Of The Year?
Ten nominees have been chosen to meet this year’s theme of “rooted in culture”, which seeks to highlight how trees inspire creative minds and become ingrained in the cultural landscape. – The Guardian
- Kyoto’s Overtourism Problem May Be Even Worse Than Amsterdam’s Or Barcelona’s
“Last year, more tourists visited Kyoto than Barcelona, Amsterdam, or even Paris. … (It’s a) conundrum with no obvious solutions. Tokyo and Osaka are big enough to soak up tourists the same way New York and London can, but Kyoto is hemmed in by mountains, which keeps the city from expanding.” – New York Magazine
- The Struggle For Pregnancy Protections And Parental Leave In The Ballet World
“Because the policies that do exist vary so widely, dancers can be impacted in different ways depending on which company they’re a part of; whether they’re freelancers or full-time; and, in some cases, what their role is within the company.” – Elle
- Famous Art Detective Arthur Brand Recovers Stolen Documents So Historic That They’re UNESCO-Listed
The cache of papers, dating from the 15th through the 19th centuries, was stolen from the National Archives of the Netherlands in 2015. Among the recovered papers are archives from the early days of the world’s first multinational corporation, the Dutch East India Company. – France 24
- How Websites Are Coping With The Collapse In Referred Traffic
“The problem started with Facebook pivoting away from the news in 2022, and has accelerated in recent months as Google makes seemingly corrosive changes to its search algorithm while rolling out the innovation that will one day replace traditional search results: AI summaries.” – New York Magazine (MSN)
- Does America Really Have A Youth Literacy Crisis?
“How much panic over kids’ literacy is warranted? Scholars who study the subject, concerned English professors, and experts in the ‘kids these days’ phenomenon told me that the literacy landscape is a lot more nuanced than either of my gut impulses would have led me to believe.” – Vox
- Is A Deal At Hand To Return The Parthenon Marbles? Britain’s Right Wing Sure Thinks So.
“The former prime minister Liz Truss and a hard-right lobby group have been accused of stoking culture wars after reportedly writing a letter claiming they would take legal action over alleged ‘covert’ plans to return the Parthenon marbles to Greece.” – The Guardian
- Gilberto Gil, Giant Of Brazilian Music, Has Retired From Live Performance
“I’ll always have my guitar, my inseparable companion,” said the 83-year-old. “But my relationship with it will be more open, freer. It’s simpler when you don’t have as many commitments. I’ll have much more time to, eventually, get back to composing and maybe recording albums.” – The New York Times
- Director of Marketing and Communications
DEPARTMENT: Marketing and Membership
REPORTS TO: VP, Marketing and Membership
SUPERVISES: Digital Manager and Storyteller
STATUS: Full Time
FLSA: Exempt
CAREER LEVEL: Director
SALARY RANGE: $90,000-$110,000
DEADLINE TO APPLY: July 17, 2025
LOCATION: Fully remote, with the option to utilize the League’s New York City office. The person in this role is expected to participate in two All-Hands Days per year in New York City and travel to the League’s annual Conference in June. Official League business hours are 9:00am to 5:30pm Eastern time.
REVISED: July 2025
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Marketing and Communications brings a creative eye to the League’s communications, social media, and branding, serves as a strategic advisor on media and organizational reputation to the CEO, increases visibility for America’s orchestras, and promotes the League’s mission, vision, values, and programs.
The Director of Marketing and Communications develops and manages the organization’s long-term traditional and digital communications strategies; builds and maintains relationships with reporters, producers, bloggers, League members, and other stakeholders; and creates and implements marketing plans for League projects.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- The duties that follow represent the primary responsibilities for this role. All employees are responsible for performing other duties as assigned. Primary responsibilities for this role include the following:
- Oversee, draft, develop, and edit content for print and digital platforms, including social media, newsletters, email, website, and other forms of communication, in partnership with Vice President, Marketing & Membership, Digital Manager and Storyteller, and other team members.
- Develop strategic communications and media plans, working directly with the League President and CEO.
- Ideate, strategize, and execute a creative and dynamic social media presence for the League, in partnership with the Digital Manager and Storyteller.
- Advise CEO and League leadership on organizational reputation building and (as needed) crisis communications.
- Pitch stories, build and maintain relationships with members of the press, and respond to local, regional, national, and international media inquiries.
- Develop and implement internal messaging documents and coach League leadership for interviews. Track media coverage around key field issues and developments. Draft press releases, media briefings, and pitch letters.
- Manage external PR agencies and consultants; maintain media contact lists.
- Oversee photo library for the League, including hiring and managing photographers, organizing photos, procuring permissions, and helping source photos for publications like the League’s annual Impact Report.
- Work with leadership to ensure consistent messaging across League and partnership-generated studies and communications vehicles.
- Oversee planning of agendas and meeting content for virtual and in-person meetings of orchestra PR directors and staff.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Certification
Bachelor’s degree preferred and/or relevant work experience required.
Experience
- At least three years of experience in marketing, communications, and digital media.
- Proven track record of media placements, news judgement, and knowledge of news processes.
- Background in writing and copy-editing for a variety of audiences and formats, including social media and press releases.
- Basic photo and video editing experience a plus.
- Familiarity with the orchestra field and its nuances.
Skills/Abilities
- Strategic thinker who can link day-to-day communications functions to meeting the organization’s long-range goals and objectives.
- Excellent writing and communications skills.
- Highly organized, creative, and able to generate new ideas.
- Discrete; exercises good judgement.
- Thrive under deadlines and pressure; detail-oriented.
- Understanding of digital and traditional communications, social media, and content marketing.
- Strong track record in working independently and as a team player.
- Knowledge of/experience in classical music/performing arts industry preferred; appreciation of orchestras required.
- Experience with public affairs desirable.
- A desire to stay connected with current marketing and media trends.
- Ability to learn new technology quickly and efficiently.
- Familiarity with project management software, Airtable preferred.
- Familiarity with the opportunities of Generative AI in the communications realm.
- Familiarity with media tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and digital asset management systems.
- Ability to operate in a PC network environment including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
This role requires the routine use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and printers.
This role requires using the English language to engage with internal and external stakeholders by phone, email, and in person. Employee is expected to be able to accurately exchange information with these stakeholders.
Work Environment
In the primary work environment, the noise level is quiet to moderate with ambient room temperatures, and lighting.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The League is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The League makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
To apply please visit: https://leagueofamericanorchestras.bamboohr.com/careers/27?source=aWQ9MjU
- Is The Summer Group Show Disappearing From Art Galleries? No, But …
“Some have wondered if the group show is fated to die out altogether. But in talking to dealers and advisers, it seems less like the once-ubiquitous summer group show is not quite disappearing. Instead, galleries have simply become more clear-eyed about the true purpose of these shows.” – ARTnews
- How Leisure Became Digital
For many Canadians, play has migrated from board games or the rec leagues to smartphone screens. It’s no longer confined to the weekend or even to a full hour of downtime. Instead, it creeps into moments between work calls, while waiting in line, or during that ambiguous half-hour between Netflix and sleep. – The Walrus
- How The Grateful Dead Made Live Music Sound Great At Concerts
Phil Spector had famously created a figurative wall of sound by layering instruments and orchestral sweeps. But the Dead’s wall was essentially a behemoth sound system, a hulking electrical mess of amps, speakers, wires—like the menacing heavy-metal rig in Mad Max: Fury Road, but far larger, louder, and, perhaps, more ludicrous. – The Atlantic
- Australia’s New Funding Body For Literature And Writers: What Will It Actually Be Doing?
“On the surface, this is welcome news for Australian writers with its funding package of $26 million ($8.6 million per year) over the next three years. But what exactly does this new support look like in the wider context of Australian literary sector funding over time?” – ArtsHub (Australia)
- HBO Returns, Conceding Its Brand Change Was A Colossal Blunder
The gambit to chase Netflix with a service called Max didn’t work. Warner Bros. Discovery’s leaders eventually recognized the tremendous value in the HBO name, and sheepishly brought it back for an encore. – Los Angeles Times
- YouTube Is Being Overwhelmed By AI Slop. So Some New Creator Rules…
Alphabet has to acknowledge not only the downsides of AI, but its potential to overwhelm platforms that rely on user-generated content—in other words, rein in instances of repetitive, inauthentic slop created with the very technologies that it’s investing so heavily in. – Fast Company
- Roadshow: America’s Midwest Art Museums
Arriving at art museums after four or five hours on these roads, day after day, is reliably uplifting. Everything is reversed. You’re in a huge building, with high ceilings and no predetermined path. You meander through different centuries and cultures, encountering different ideas of beauty, different understandings of power and mortality, different ways of living. – Washington Post
- Japan Has A Big Ballet-Fan Community. Now It’s Working On Homegrown Ballet.
“Until recently, that audience lavished attention mostly on prestigious foreign companies that tour Japan regularly, such as the Paris Opera Ballet and the Royal Ballet. The country has struggled to build world-class companies and hold on to the top talent it trains. The National Ballet of Japan wants to change that.” – Financial Times
- Actors Unions Approve New Video Game Contract, Ending Strike
As with the dual strikes in 2023, artificial intelligence was a big sticking point in negotiations. As such, the new contract establishes performer safety guardrails and gains around AI, including consent and disclosure requirements for artificially generated digital replica use. – Deadline
- Training A New Generation Of Dancers For A Different Kind Of Career
“Today’s young adults have also been through the Covid shutdown, and they’re starting their careers at a time of huge financial uncertainty.” – ArtsATL
- My Nightmare Job Taking Care Of Patricia Highsmith
“Pat was seventy-four and knew she was about to die. … I was trapped in her world with her, trembling. She had weeks left to live and had spent so much time writing about how to get away with murder. I fantasized that she might try to kill me.” – The Yale Review
