Artistic Director Job Posting:
It is with immense gratitude, respect, and affection for Marcello Angelini that the Board of Directors of Tulsa Ballet is opening a search for his successor.
Overview:
Tulsa Ballet is an internationally acclaimed ballet company whose operating culture is based on the pursuit of excellence in every area. This pursuit includes – but is certainly not limited to – the quality of our dancers, their training, our rehearsal process, and the quality of every production we present. It extends to the two locations of our Center for Dance Education in the careful choice and training of our instructors and our continually improving curriculum.
The Artistic Director of Tulsa Ballet is the embodiment of the company’s culture of excellence. They are a visionary leader, responsible for guiding and shaping the artistic vision of the company. This individual collaborates closely with the Executive Director, under supervision of the Board of Directors, to ensure the artistic growth and financial stability of the company.
The Artistic Director supervises the production team, the artistic team, and all artistic facets of the Center for Dance Education, including the choice and supervision of the School Director. The Artistic Director will ensure that the Company upholds the highest standards of excellence, creativity, and artistic innovation, while preserving the tradition of classical ballet and the classical repertoire of the company. The Artistic Director will foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative environment for the artists and staff.
Key responsibilities of the Artistic Director include – but are not limited to – the following:
- Artistic Leadership & Vision
- Implement the overall artistic vision of the company, as defined by the Board of Directors in the Company’s Mission Statement, balancing the presentation of classical works, contemporary dances, new works and national/international touring.
- Recruit, hire, retain and oversee a roster of dancers able to perform at the level of excellence required by the company.
- Create a positive relationship with the leadership of the AGMA union, negotiating contracts prior to their expiration, and creating a harmonious workplace and positive environment for its dancers and choreographers.
- Curate and develop the annual season, including choosing ballets, commissioning new works, and collaborating with choreographers, designers, and other artists to ensure a successful presentation of the pieces. At the same time, the Artistic Director will be fully engaged in overseeing the costs of every production, aiming to operate within the budgetary parameters approved by the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
- Teach company classes and rehearse-coach the artists of the Company to define the aesthetics of the company, ensuring consistency and quality in the artistic output.
- Foster the development and growth of individual dancers and the company as a whole, developing their talent and potential.
- Hire, coach and supervise the Rehearsal Directors, enabling them to support the vision of the Artistic Director.
Tulsa Ballet II (TBII) serves both as the educational division of the organization and as the feeder ensemble for Tulsa Ballet. The Artistic Director is responsible for:
- Recruiting dancers with the potential to grow into the ranks of the main company.
- Curating its repertory, both Educational Programs and stand-alone performances.
- Supervising and advising the Rehearsal Director in charge of the ensemble to ensure the rehearsal process is conducive to the growth of each individual dancer and the ensemble as a whole.
- Planning its performances, choosing choreographers and designers, commissioning new works and new educational programs with an eye on excellence for all the facets of its performances.
- Center for Dance Education
Tulsa Ballet Artistic Director is ultimately responsible for the artistic operations of its Center for Dance Education. While not involved in the day-to-day operations, the Artistic Director will:
- Recruit, hire and supervise the School Director, and supervise the artistic operations of the academies.
- Approve the school curriculum.
- Support its faculty and is present for the yearly exams.
- Help select and ultimately sanctions the artistic choices for the End of the Year Performance.
- Be ultimately responsible for the artistic operations of the Center for Dance Education.
- Collaboration & Team Leadership
The Artistic Director collaborates with the artistic departments of the organization, the administrative departments, and guest artists of various disciplines.
- Collaborate with choreographers, designers, and other creatives to realize artistic visions for performances.
- Lead and inspire company dancers, fostering an atmosphere of innovation, discipline, and artistic excellence.
- Work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to set and achieve company goals, both artistically and operationally.
- Attend Board of Directors meetings and keep the Board fully informed on all key matters.
- Support the needs of the Marketing Department to market the company’s performances. Such support may include selecting pictures, videos and any visual element needed for publicity, ensuring they meet the highest artistic standards available at the time.
- Support the Development Department with their fundraising needs.
- Oversee rehearsal schedules and the training process of the Company Dancers, ensuring Company Artists are properly prepared and supported.
While not a touring company, as an Official Cultural Ambassador for the State of Oklahoma, Tulsa Ballet serves its community by showcasing our city through prestigious national and international engagements. Tulsa Ballet is gifted with a touring endowment, meant to ensure the company will continue touring into the future. The Artistic Director will:
- Seek and organize tours that elevate the reputation of the Company
- Negotiate the contracts with the presenting entities
- Organize the logistics of the tour with support from artistic administrators
- Together with the Executive Director, actively participate in the fundraising of the tour.
The Artistic Director is responsible for the operations of the Production Department, as well as supervising its Director of Production and Director of Costumes. The Artistic Director will:
- Hire and supervise the leaders of the department
- Supervise the financial operations of the department
- Ensure the department operates within the financial parameters approved by the Board of Directors.
The Artistic Director, in collaboration with its administrative and production departments, is responsible for creating Tulsa Ballet’s production budget for each season. This task will require:
- Negotiating contracts with each individual stakeholder for individual productions
- Projecting and finalizing production costs
- Creating the Dancers’ annual budget
- Creating the Artistic yearly budget
- With the Executive Director, balancing costs to obtain a balanced budget
- Presenting the production budget to the Board of Directors for approval
- Overseeing the implementation of such budget
- Community & Audience Engagement
Together with the Executive Director, the Artistic Director as one of the chief fundraisers for the Ballet, will:
- Serve as the public face of the ballet company at performances, community events, and media appearances.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with audiences, patrons, and stakeholders.
- Promote the company’s artistic vision in various media outlets, social platforms, and at events.
- Support the efforts of the marketing team to ensure that performances are marketed effectively to attract diverse audiences.
- Create an effective relationship with donors and the community, based on trust, respect, vision and the excellence of the company.
- Participate in all company fundraisers.
- Foster the success of existing fundraising events.
- Create new fundraising events, in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
- Artistic and Financial Oversight
The Artistic Director is the primary partner of the Executive Director for the financial oversight of the company. As such she/he will:
- Manage the company’s artistic budget in collaboration with the Artistic/Production staff and the Executive Director, ensuring financial sustainability while maintaining artistic integrity.
- Oversee the allocation of resources for productions, including personnel, facilities, and materials.
- Assist in fundraising efforts by cultivating relationships with patrons, donors, and sponsors.
- Strategic Planning & Development
The Artistic Director is an active participant in the strategic planning and development of the organization. As such he/she will:
- Identify opportunities for expanding the company’s artistic reach, including partnerships with other arts organizations, educational initiatives, and international collaborations.
- Evaluate and propose innovative strategies for growing the company’s artistic profile and relevance in the global dance community.
Required Qualifications:
- Proven experience as an Artistic Director or Choreographer, with a deep understanding of classical ballet and contemporary dance.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in an artistic leadership role (e.g., Artistic Director, Resident Choreographer, or similar).
- Demonstrated ability to curate and produce high-quality ballet performances.
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate dancers, staff, and external collaborators.
- Experience working within a non-profit or arts organization structure, with a solid understanding of budget management and fundraising.
- Passionate about fostering a culture of excellence.
Personal Attributes:
- Visionary, creative, and able to push the boundaries of traditional ballet while respecting its history and heritage.
- A strong advocate for the arts and passionate about advancing the ballet art form.
- Approachable, with a collaborative leadership style that encourages dialogue and artistic growth.
- Skilled in managing high-pressure situations and balancing multiple priorities.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
- Health, paid vacations benefits, matching 401k.
- Opportunities for professional development and international exposure.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a résumé, portfolio, or video demonstrating their artistic work, and a cover letter detailing their vision for the future of ballet – as well as questions – to [email protected] by August 31, 2026.
