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- Survey: Nearly Half Of Mid-Career Women Are Considering Leaving The Arts
While the inaugural survey revealed gaps in leadership roles and pay for women, this edition offers a more detailed picture of the structural pressures determining who is—and, crucially, who isn’t—able to build a sustainable long-term career in the arts. – Artnet
- Carbon Fiber Violin — Meet Stradivari
Both the carbon fibre violin and the bow impressed with their dark, warm, and distinctive tone. From the very beginning, the two violins blended beautifully; despite their different personalities, they seemed perfectly matched. They were also remarkably powerful, filling the room with sound. – The Strad
- A New Penn Station We Won’t Dread Walking Into?
- Director of Marketing – Artis-Naples
Position Summary
The Director of Marketing (Director) will lead the planning, execution, and optimization of integrated marketing and audience development strategies that drive ticket sales, subscriptions, memberships, attendance, and earned revenue across all programming areas. The Director will translate institutional marketing strategy into actionable campaigns and oversee day-to-day execution across brand marketing, digital channels, advertising, communications, and audience engagement initiatives. The Director will ensure that all marketing efforts are aligned with revenue goals, audience growth objectives, and brand standards. The Director will lead a cross-functional marketing team and serve as a key connector between strategy and execution, working closely with Creative Services, Programming, Development, Communications, Education, and Operations to ensure cohesive messaging and maximum impact.
Organization
Artis—Naples is southwest Florida’s home for the visual and performing arts. As the home of The Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic, Artis—Naples provides a vibrant space for the arts, fostering creativity and community engagement. The mission of Artis—Naples is to present high-quality performances, exhibitions, and educational programs that inspire, educate, and entertain diverse audiences. Through its dynamic programming, it strives to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the arts while enhancing the cultural life of the community.
Founded in 1982 as the Naples/Marco Philharmonic, over more than forty years Artis—Naples has grown into a cornerstone of Southwest Florida’s cultural community. The Naples Philharmonic, currently led by Artis—Naples Artistic and Music Director Alexander Shelley, is known for its wide variety of classical, pops, chamber music, dance, and special event performances, has always been a central part of Artis—Naples’ identity. Over the decades, the institution has continued to expand its offerings and facilities, including the opening of The Baker Museum in 2000, which has since become one of the region’s most renowned art museums. The campus is home to a number of beautiful venues, including the 1477 seat Hayes Hall and the 283 seat Daniels Pavilion, providing both intimate and acoustically rich settings for concerts, performances, lectures, and events. Artis—Naples also hosts a dynamic season of presentations including world-renowned touring orchestras like the Vienna Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony; one-night presentations by legendary artists like The Beach Boys, Sarah Brightman, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Il Divo; a robust series of Lifelong Learning lectures on topics including art, jazz, wellness and literature; and a series of touring Broadway performances.
The museum’s permanent collection boasts over 3,500 works, including pieces by artists like Diego Rivera, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Pablo Picasso. Notable exhibitions include ”George Gershwin and Modern Art: A Rhapsody in Blue”, celebrating the iconic composer’s passion for the visual arts, and “Magritte: Reflections of Another World”, featuring six paintings by Belgian artist René Magritte. Each season, in addition to its work with Alexander Shelley, the Naples Philharmonic brings internationally acclaimed guest conductors, such as Robert Spano and David Robertson, to lead its orchestra in highly anticipated performances with celebrated guest artists like Renée Fleming, Joshua Bell, and Emanuel Ax.
Artis—Naples supports young musicians through its four youth ensembles: the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic Youth Symphonia, Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus, and Naples Philharmonic Youth Jazz Orchestra. These programs provide students with the opportunity to perform and grow as musicians in a variety of genres, from classical to jazz. By offering high-quality music education and performance opportunities, these ensembles reflect Artis—Naples ‘ mission to inspire and educate the next generation of artists. Through these programs, Artis—Naples fosters creativity, discipline, and community engagement, helping students develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts while enriching the cultural fabric of Southwest Florida.
Artis—Naples is deeply committed to fostering community engagement and making the arts accessible to all. The institution offers a range of programs designed to serve individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Its visual and performing arts educational initiatives and partnerships with local schools include Naples Philharmonic performances each season for all 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, and 11th grade Collier County Public School classes and more than 400 in-school visual art workshops by Artis—Naples staff members. These activities introduce young people to the arts while helping to develop creativity and critical thinking skills. Additionally, Artis—Naples runs community outreach efforts such as free concerts, exhibitions, and family-oriented events, which promote access to culture in underserved areas and encourage greater participation in the arts. These programs ensure that Artis—Naples remains a vital community hub for learning, discovery, and artistic expression.
Artis—Naples has a 37-member board of directors led by Chair Heidi Miller, and Kathleen van Bergen serves as CEO and President. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Artis—Naples reported a total revenue of $42 million, with 36% from contributions and grants, 44% from program services, 8% from investment income, and 12% from other revenue.
Community
Naples, located on the pristine Gulf Coast of Florida, is a prosperous city known for its world-class beaches, thriving arts scene, and abundant recreational activities. As the county seat of Collier County, Naples benefits from a growing population of over 400,000 residents. With its close proximity to Miami and Southwest Florida International Airport, Naples offers a harmonious blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities.
The city’s vibrant arts and culture scene is a key highlight, with residents and visitors alike enjoying a variety of performance venues and many art galleries showcasing local, national, and international talent. Galleries such as the Naples Art Institute present a wide variety of exhibits and studio art instruction, while organizations such as United Arts Collier provide opportunities for connection and collaboration among local artists. Naples boasts a dynamic cultural scene with premier venues and events year-round. The Gulfshore Playhouse, a professional theater and education center, presents a diverse range of productions, from plays to musicals, enriching the local arts community. The Naples Botanical Garden is a vibrant venue for art exhibitions, installations, and festivals, blending nature and creativity. The city also hosts key cultural festivals, including the Naples Winter Wine Festival, which pairs culinary and artistic experiences, and the Naples Flower Show & Garden Market, one of Florida’s largest flower events, celebrating horticulture and art.
The city’s coastal location provides exceptional opportunities for fishing, boating, and water sports in the Gulf. For those who prefer land-based adventures, the city boasts miles of picturesque bike paths, serene parks, and scenic walking trails, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to Naples for its proximity to the Everglades, offering a wealth of activities such as kayaking, hiking, bird watching, and wildlife spotting. In addition to its cultural and outdoor offerings, Naples features a growing housing market with a mix of luxury residences, condos, and charming single-family homes. Florida has no state income tax, and Naples provides a high quality of life that attracts both retirees and families alike. Naples is served by the Collier County Public School District, educating over 48,000 students in grades K-12, with numerous public and charter schools throughout the city.
Sources: Redfin.com; Worldpopulationreview.com; Census.gov Photos: Getty Images; Sean Pavone
Roles and Responsibilities
Integrated Marketing Strategy & Execution
– Lead the execution of comprehensive, multi-channel marketing campaigns that support subscription, single-ticket, group sales, memberships, exhibitions, and institutional initiatives.
– Translate organizational marketing strategy into actionable campaign plans, timelines, and deliverables across all channels.
– Oversee seasonal and annual campaign execution across all programming areas, including performing arts, exhibitions, education, and special events.
– Ensure consistency of messaging, positioning, and brand expression across all marketing outputs.
– Embrace other integrated marketing strategy and execution responsibilities as needed.Audience Development & Revenue Delivery
– Lead audience acquisition, retention, and engagement strategies in alignment with institutional revenue goals.
– Oversee segmentation, targeting, and lifecycle marketing strategies using CRM and audience data.
– Drive growth across subscriptions, single-ticket sales, group sales, memberships, and institutional attendance.
– Identify opportunities to expand and diversify audiences through targeted campaigns and community engagement initiatives.
– Embrace other audience development and revenue delivery responsibilities as needed.Digital Marketing & Content Execution
– Manage the Marketing Manager, Digital Strategist, and oversee the execution of digital marketing strategy, including website content, email marketing, social media, and paid digital advertising.
– Ensure effective use of CRM, automation, and digital tools to improve conversion, engagement, and customer journey performance.
– Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent and compelling content across platforms.
– Embrace other digital marketing and content execution responsibilities as needed.Advertising, Media, & Public Relations
– Manage execution of integrated advertising plans across print, digital, broadcast, outdoor, and emerging channels.
– Oversee media planning, buying, trafficking, and performance tracking.
– Support public relations execution, including press campaigns, announcements, and media events in coordination with internal staff and external partners.
– Embrace other advertising, media, and public relations responsibilities as needed.Data, Insights, & Performance Management
– Monitor campaign performance, sales trends, and audience behavior to inform ongoing optimization.
– Work with analytics and CRM systems to ensure accurate reporting and actionable insights.
– Prepare regular performance reports and recommendations for VP-level review.
– Use data to continuously refine targeting, messaging, and channel strategy.
– Embrace other data, insights, and performance management responsibilities as needed.Budgeting & Resource Management
– Manage annual marketing budgets, ensuring alignment with revenue goals and institutional priorities.
– Monitor campaign spend, vendor costs, and channel performance to maximize ROI.
– Support forecasting of marketing-driven revenue across ticketing, subscriptions, and group sales.
– Develop relationships with external agencies, vendors, and media partners.
– Embrace other budgeting and resource management responsibilities as needed.Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
– Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing marketing team across digital, audience development, communications, and publicity functions.
– Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, creativity, and results orientation.
– Collaborate closely with Creative Services to ensure strong alignment between strategy and execution.
– Partner with Programming, Development, Education, Communications, and Operations teams to support institutional priorities and revenue goals.
– Empower and manage Marketing Project Coordinator, who will be directly responsible for tracking marketing and creative projects through workflow and daily progress tracking, interdepartmental coordination and communication, identification and procurement of required project components, and internal review processes.
– Embrace other team leadership and cross-functional collaboration responsibilities as needed.Institutional Partnerships & Support
– Support development of marketing partnerships, sponsorships, and cross-promotional opportunities.
– Provide marketing support to Development initiatives, including fundraising campaigns and donor engagement.
– Serve as a key internal partner, ensuring marketing alignment across departments and stakeholders.
– Embrace other institutional partnerships and support responsibilities as needed.Traits and Characteristics
The Director will be a creative, highly motivated leader with strong verbal and written communication skills. With an ability to handle multiple, complex projects, they will seek to work collaboratively with their team and across the organization. Acting with intention and driven to achieve results, they will seek to foster trust inside and outside the organization through their commitment to being present, collaborative, and optimistic.
Other key competencies include:
– Leadership and Teamwork – The ability to inspire, build trust, and create a sense of purpose and direction while tactfully handling challenging and sensitive issues. The dexterity to both lead and mentor, understanding and maximizing the team’s potential.
– Professional Accountability and Self Starting – The willingness to accept responsibility for actions and results and develop long-term relationships with people across the organization and throughout the community.
– Customer Focus – The capacity to anticipate, meet, and frequently exceed customer and stakeholder needs, wants, and expectations in a highly service-oriented environment.
– Time and Priority Management – The capacity to prioritize and complete tasks to meet desired outcomes.
– Problem Solving and Project Management – The acumen to define, analyze, and diagnose key components of a problem to ensure that projects are completed on time and on budget.Qualifications
A minimum of seven to 10 years of progressive marketing experience is required, preferably in performing arts, cultural institutions, entertainment, or nonprofit organizations. Demonstrated success in revenue-driven marketing, including ticketing, subscriptions, memberships, or similar models, is essential. Strong knowledge of integrated marketing strategy, campaign execution, digital marketing channels, and revenue impact is required. Experience using and analyzing data, CRMs, and audience research is critically important. Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal, analytical, and cross-functional collaboration skills are needed, along with strong business acumen. A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, arts administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university is preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, which may include general office work, occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds, and on-site presence for events and high-traffic patron service times.
Compensation and Benefits
Artis—Naples provides a competitive and equitable compensation package. The range for the annual salary is estimated between $90,000 and $100,000. Employee benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; health, long-term disability, and life insurance; and a company-matched 403(B).
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please click here or visit ArtsConsulting.com/OpenSearches. For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact:
Nagham Wehbe, President
Tel (888) 234.4236 Ext. 228
Email ArtisNaples@ArtsConsulting.comArtis—Naples is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Our policy reflects and affirms Artis—Naples’ commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices.
- The Looted Antiquities Trade Continues For The Same Reason The Illegal Drug Trade Does
In a word, demand. – Artnet
- Atlanta Has A New Classical Theater Company
Georgia Classic Theatre is being founded by former artists with Georgia Shakespeare, which operated from 1985 to 2014. GTC held its first fundraiser last month and will present its first production, of Macbeth, this fall. – ArtsATL
- After Eight Nominations, Glenn Close Will Finally Get An Oscar
It will be an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement, but it’s something. Joining her as recipients of this year’s Governors Awards are director Ridley Scott and animator Floyd Norman. – AP
- U.S. Authors’ Incomes Are Down. New Study Looks At Why.
“(The Authors Guild research) found that only 25% of print books and e-books read in the past month were bought new or through a paid subscription. … Average author earnings, now pegged at about $10,000 annually, have declined about 42% since 2009, the year Kindles first entered the market.” – Publishers Weekly
- Collateral Damage From Trump’s Iran War: W.H. Smith, The Big Airport-Bookstore Chain
“The retailer, which operates 1,200 outlets globally in airports, railway stations and hospitals, … has already experienced a fall in revenues in its UK airport operation due to the conflict in the Middle East, (and) said North America had now also been affected.” – The Guardian
- Photographer Duane Michals, 94
“In a career that spanned six decades and crisscrossed artistic and commercial contexts, Michals challenged photographic convention and innovated new forms; he is best known for building sequential, frame-by-frame narratives that pair photographs with handwritten text to poetic effect.” – Frieze
- A New CEO For Aspen Music Festival And School
Meghan Umber has spent two decades at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where she’s currently the orchestra’s chief programming officer and president of the Hollywood Bowl. She replaces current Aspen CEO Alan Fletcher as of October 1. – Aspen Public Radio
- Is LA Really a Theatre Town?
Good Morning:
The decline story is the easy one to write. Today’s feed makes the case for the other one — where culture is building, the rooms are full. Start in Istanbul, where Argentine tango has found a huge, fervent following, with milonga clubs and dance schools multiplying across the city (AP). In Los Angeles, the Hollywood Fringe just drew a record number of participants and is set to break even for the first time in years — perhaps evidence behind the old boast that “L.A. is a theater town” (MSN)?
Reinvention runs backward, too: in Palermo, director Emma Dante revived Sicilian dialect theatre and is now collecting a Golden Lion for it (The New York Times).
Two more to enjoy: how Gaudí engineered the Sagrada Família to stand without flying buttresses, which he dismissed as “crutches” (BBC), and a forgotten Tolkien translation surfacing in Oxford’s Bodleian after decades in the stacks (MSN).
Doug
- Turks Turn To Tango
The passionate ballroom dance of Buenos Aires and Montevideo has found a large, equally passionate base of fans in Istanbul, where a multitude of milonga clubs, dance studios and schools have arisen to support a vibrant tango scene. – AP
- Director Milo Rau’s Staged Moral Tribunals Have Been A Big Success. His Latest Choice Of Subject Has People Judging Him.
Rau’s trials — with real witnesses and arguments, followed by symbolic judgments — have put Gisèle Pelicot’s rapists, mining companies in the Congo, and the Russian jurists who prosecuted Pussy Riot in the dock. But when Rau invited controversial billionaire Peter Thiel for a tribunal, stakeholders rebelled. – The Guardian
- Web Video Is Coming To TV. But The Tyranny Of Web Format Is Problematic
How much do we want the internet to be television? A good gimmick for social-media content doesn’t automatically translate to interesting TV, a medium that many of us enjoy precisely because it doesn’t live or die by an algorithmic social-media feed. – The New Yorker
- Condustor Ryan Wigglesworth On What The Classical Music World Is Now
A new generation – of concert-goers as well as performers – are essential to classical music’s future. Would a Ryan Wigglesworth born today still become a musician? Are the networks and resources still in place? Wigglesworth thinks not. It’s a problem he’s navigating first-hand with his own children. – The Guardian
- If It’s Art And People Like It, Then…
Our reigning cultural ideology has been poptimism—the idea that if a lot of people like a work of art, then it has to be good. Now sloptimism, which holds that if there’s a lot of art out there and people are engaging with it then how bad can it be? – The New Yorker
- The Director Who Brought Sicilian Dialect Back To Palermo’s Stages
Emma Dante, who will receive the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at this year’s Venice Theatre Biennale, led a revival of interest in dialect plays in Sicily in the ‘00s, and she’s staged works in Neapolitan and Apulian as well. Then, last year, she up and moved to Rome. – The New York Times
- Is LA Finally Getting The Fringe Theatre Festival It Deserves?
This year’s event has a record number of participants, and is set to break even after operating at a loss for the last two years. The motto “L.A. is a theater town” is emblazoned on posters and T-shirts all over the festival, featuring thousands of artists in nearly 500 live performances. – Los Angeles Times (MSN)
- How Good Is AI At Spotting Talent? Soccer Teams Are Working On It
For decades, the beautiful game depended on the human eye: a scout on the sideline, attentively watching, waiting for that something special. That process, however, is becoming increasingly data-driven. – The Conversation
- How Do You Prepare For The NBA Finals? Wembanyama Sketches In Gramercy Park
As seen in a viral video posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Wembanyama and his sister Eve, who also plays professional basketball, but in Europe, were spotted in Gramercy Park, one of just two private parks in New York City, sketching a statue of Edwin Booth. – ARTnews
- How Gaudí’s Design Keeps Sagrada Familia Standing Tall Without Flying Buttresses
The great Barcelona architect despised flying buttresses, especially in 20th-century neo-Gothic architecture, calling them “crutches” for a building that couldn’t support its own weight. To keep the walls and towers of his masterpiece church standing tall, he relied on an even older architectural feature, one that dates back to antiquity. – BBC
- Movie Scores Are Taking Over Orchestra Programs
What used to be a novelty has now become a core staple of symphonic programming in the United States: live soundtracks, performances in which an orchestra plays while a movie screens overhead. – The New York Times
- California Universities Abandoned The SAT. It’s Been A Disaster
A huge share of STEM and economics faculty across the UC system is now in open revolt—demanding that California’s public universities at least look at standardized-test scores before offering admission. – The Atlantic
- AI Bootleggers Are Stealing Songs, Tweaking Them And Making Money
It was an AI-manipulated version of the band’s 2019 single “Angels Above Me,” sped up with a tweaked lead vocal and a dance-music kick drum. Stick Figure wasn’t mentioned anywhere, but someone was making thousands of dollars off its viral success. – Los Angeles Times
- Julio Le Parc, Pioneer Of Moving Op Art, Has Died At 97
“He focused on kinetic sculpture … and the geometric optical illusions of Op Art, infusing them with regional influences” — he was Argentine, though he spent his career in Paris — “and often overtly political content, … pioneer(ing) a form of socially conscious, audience-friendly sculpture and vibrantly colorful, politically engaged painting.” – The New York Times
- Plan For $1.16 Billion Opera House Scrapped By Mayor Of Düsseldorf
Millions have already been spent on planning and architectural design for a new home for the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and total costs for the project were capped at a projected €1 billion (which few people believed). Now the mayor says the money simply isn’t there. – The Violin Channel
- Trump Administration Asked National Park Visitors To Report “Negative” History Info. Visitors Did Something Different.
What most respondents considered negative was the effort itself. One visitor called it “un-American.” Another criticized the idea of “having Americans call in and snitch on each other.” One person wrote, “Hey Donald Trump! Trying to erase history doesn’t mean it didn’t still happen!” – AP
- Imax Is Considering Selling Itself To A Big Studio. Here’s The Problem It Has.
“A key challenge will be finding a buyer who wouldn’t present a conflict of interest.” How so? – TheWrap (Yahoo!)
- The “Middleware” Problem: How Do You Find Classical Music?
“For decades, the relationship between artists and audiences was heavily mediated and nurtured by newspaper critics, classical radio hosts, record-store owners, etc. — They made the music findable and meaningful. I call that layer the civic middleware of culture, and over the past twenty years it has largely collapsed.” – Bachtrack
- Directors Guild And Hollywood Studios Agree On Four-Year Contract
“The deal struck between the Directors Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers came four weeks after talks began.” – AP
- Forgotten Manuscript By JRR Tolkien Found In Oxford Library
“The Lord of the Rings author’s translation of a medieval religious text from the early 13th century had lain forgotten in the Bodleian Libraries’ collections until now. His reworking of Sawles Warde, an early Middle English prose homily, which he titled Soul’s Ward …, is to be published for the first time.” – The Telegraph (UK)
- Executive Director – Historic Paramount Theatre
Position Summary
The Executive Director will serve as the Historic Paramount Theatre’s (Paramount) senior administrative and strategic leader, driving daily operations, stewarding finances, supervising staff, and partnering with the Board of Directors while keeping the theatre active, stable, and deeply connected to Abilene. This person will maintain the Paramount’s programming model, build strong civic and cultural relationships, work closely with the Chief Financial Officer on budgeting and cash flow, and lead the creation of the organization’s first strategic plan.
They will be a dynamic, community minded ambassador who brings strong communication skills, sound financial judgment, and collaborative leadership to development, programming, and external relations. This leader will strengthen donor and foundation relationships, oversee grants, sponsorships, restoration projects, marketing, and programming, and advance a refreshed artistic direction that reduces dark days, broadens audiences, and deepens the Paramount’s civic impact. They will guide planning for the 2030 centennial and champion accessible programming that welcomes new audiences and supports downtown revitalization.
Organization
Designed and built in 1930 by architect David Castle, the Historic Paramount Theatre is one of West Texas’s most treasured cultural landmarks. A stunning example of the nostalgic “atmospheric” movie palace, the theatre was created during an era when attending the cinema was intended to be a grand and immersive experience. The main auditorium was designed to resemble a Spanish/Moorish courtyard at night, complete with drifting projected clouds, twinkling stars, and a neon-lit sky that transported audiences to another world.
Restored in 1987 and renovated to accommodate live theatre performances, the Paramount has evolved into a vibrant multidisciplinary performing arts venue serving the Abilene community and surrounding region. Today, the theatre hosts a broad range of programming, including concerts, film screenings, ballet, opera, touring productions, comedy performances, educational programming, and community events. For nearly 100 years, the Paramount has remained a defining entertainment destination and an enduring symbol of the cultural life of West Texas.
The theatre’s programming is intentionally broad and diverse. Each year features between 150 and 170 nights of live performances or active rental use. Numerous local nonprofit organizations utilize the Paramount as their performance home, and facility rentals remain a significant source of earned revenue. Though originally constructed as a movie palace, films continue to be screened throughout the year. Paramount Productions has presented an annual summer musical for more than 30 years and produces a children’s musical each January. Since 2020, the theatre has also produced twice-yearly cabaret performances that have become highly popular with audiences. In 2022, the organization expanded its focus on touring concerts and stand-up comedy events; what began as a goal of four touring presentations in the first year grew to more than 30 such events in 2025. Additional earned revenue is generated through concessions and bar sales.
Recent upgrades and restoration projects demonstrate the organization’s ongoing commitment to preserving and modernizing the facility. Improvements include a new downstairs concessions area and bar (2025), expansion into the adjacent Wooten Hotel for additional office space (2024), complete LED stage lighting replacement (2025), mezzanine chair replacement (2023), installation of a new house audio system (2021), and a new digital projector (2021). In summer 2026, the theatre will undertake a nearly $400,000 marquee replacement project featuring a new LED marquee system. A donor-funded architectural lighting and safety enhancement project totaling approximately $1.5 million is also underway.
The Paramount has a 17-member board of directors led by Chair Ronalyn Sutphen. The Executive Director reports to the board of directors and oversees six full-time staff members and 40 part-time staff members. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, Paramount reported total revenue of $2.1 million, including 49% from contributions and 51% from earned revenue sources. The projected revenue for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, is $1.7 million, including 54% from contributions and 46% from earned revenue sources.
Sources: edited from paramountabilene.com; propublica.org
Community
Located in the heart of West Texas, Abilene is a mid-sized city of approximately 125,000 residents known for its welcoming atmosphere, strong civic identity, and rich historical heritage. Founded during the cattle-drive era of the late nineteenth century, the city has grown into a regional center for education, healthcare, commerce, and military service while maintaining the character of a close-knit community. Abilene is home to three universities: Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University, which contribute significantly to the city’s educational and cultural vitality. The community is also deeply connected to Dyess Air Force Base, one of only two U.S. installations that house the B-1 Bomber, making military tradition and service an important part of local identity.
Abilene offers residents a high quality of life with affordable living, family-oriented neighborhoods, and a growing downtown district that has become a center for dining, entertainment, and cultural activity. Recreational attractions include the Abilene Zoo, Frontier Texas!, and the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, alongside a broad network of parks, trails, and community amenities maintained by the City of Abilene. Ongoing downtown revitalization efforts, including the Cypress Street Improvement Project and the Downtown Pedestrian Plaza, continue to strengthen the city’s walkability, economic vitality, and appeal as a regional destination for arts, culture, and tourism. Community events, festivals, and arts programming contribute to an active civic environment, and the city is widely regarded as one of the best places in Texas to raise a family due to its strong schools, engaged community, and accessible lifestyle.
Sources: abilenetx.gov; census.gov
Roles and Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership & Administration
- Provide overall leadership and direction for the organization’s operations, staff, and programming.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate all full-time staff members.
- Foster a collaborative and mission-driven organizational culture.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable licensing and regulatory requirements, including TABC regulations.
- Embrace other organizational leadership and administration responsibilities as needed.
Financial Management
- Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to develop and present the annual operating budget for board approval each March.
- Oversee implementation of and adherence to the approved budget.
- Work closely with the Board and CFO to manage organizational cash flow and steward banking reserves.
- Review and approve all company expenditures, with expenditures over $5,000 requiring a second signature from the Board.
- Work with staff to establish pricing for goods and services and determine inventory and merchandise offerings.
- Embrace other financial management responsibilities as needed.
Governance & Board Relations
- Prepare for and participate in all meetings of the Board of Directors, including providing timely reports, recommendations, and updates on organizational operations and strategic priorities.
- Implement directives and policies established by the Board of Directors.
- Engage and support board members in fundraising initiatives, long-range planning, and organizational strategy.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the Paramount and the building owners.
- Embrace other governance and board-relations responsibilities as needed.
Programming & Artistic Oversight
- Lead the programming, negotiation, and contracting for Paramount Road Shows and other live performances presented by the organization.
- Oversee film programming, including selections made by committees and staff.
- Ensure programming aligns with the mission, audience interests, and financial goals of the Paramount.
- Embrace other programming and artistic oversight responsibilities as needed.
Development & Fundraising
- Serve as the organization’s primary development contact.
- Oversee grant funding strategies, donor cultivation and stewardship, and corporate sponsorship relationships.
- Support and guide fundraising initiatives in partnership with staff and the Board of Directors.
- Embrace other development and fundraising responsibilities as needed.
Marketing & Community Relations
- Produce, oversee, or approve all marketing and promotional materials and campaigns.
- Represent the Paramount within the community and serve as the primary spokesperson at public events, partnerships, and community engagements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with patrons, community stakeholders, donors, sponsors, and partner organizations.
- Embrace other marketing and community relations responsibilities as needed.
Facilities & Capital Improvements
- Identify, secure funding for, and oversee all restoration, maintenance, and capital improvement projects related to the Paramount.
- Ensure the long-term preservation and operational functionality of the Paramount.
- Embrace other facilities and capital improvements responsibilities as needed.
Traits and Characteristics
The Executive Director will be an engaging and people-oriented leader who values communication, collaboration, and relationship-building across a broad range of stakeholders. This individual will demonstrate versatility and adaptability, navigating frequent change and shifting priorities with confidence and ease. Grounded in intuition, experience, and thoughtful decision-making, the Executive Director will bring a harmonious and balanced leadership style that fosters trust and stability within the organization. The Executive Director will also be resourceful and receptive, combining practical problem-solving skills with openness to new ideas, opportunities, and innovative approaches that advance Paramount’s mission and long-term success.
Other key competencies include:
- Personal Accountability and Diplomacy – The capacity to be answerable for personal actions and effectively and tactfully handle difficult or sensitive issues.
- Time and Priority Management – The ability to prioritize and complete tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames.
- Leadership – The capability to organize and influence people to believe in a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction.
- Teamwork – The aptitude to cooperate with others to meet objectives.
- Decision Making – The faculty to analyze all aspects of a situation to make consistently sound and timely decisions.
- Problem Solving and Resiliency – The competence to quickly recover from adversity and solve problems effectively.
Qualifications
Two to three years of senior leadership experience in a historic theatre, professional arts organization, or relevant business setting are expected. A bachelor’s degree in the arts or a related field is preferred. The ability to build and sustain a high performing team is essential, as is experience with fundraising at varying levels. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the capacity to represent the Paramount to diverse audiences and donors, are important. If you do not meet all the qualifications but possess transferable or equivalent skills, experience, or education, we encourage you to apply and highlight those areas.
Compensation and Benefits
The Paramount provides a competitive and equitable compensation package with an estimated salary range of $110,000 to $125,000. Benefits include paid time off and comprehensive employee support programs designed to promote work-life balance and long-term financial wellness. Full-time employees receive 12 vacation days annually, with additional accrual based on years of service, along with 12 sick days per year. Health insurance premiums for employee-only coverage are paid 100% by Paramount, with eligibility beginning on the first of the month after 60 days of service. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in a 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 6% employer match after 90 days of employment.
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please click here or visit ArtsConsulting.com/OpenSearches. For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact:
Flora Stamatiades, Vice President
Tel (888) 234.4236 Ext. 238
Email HistoricParamount@ArtsConsulting.comThe Historic Paramount Theatre is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experiences.
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