Co-Artistic Director, New Work Development Center - College of Fine Arts

The newly formed Center for New Work Development will provide producing support for Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama and Pittsburgh’s established theaters and arts institutions to generate new work initiatives, spearhead funding for these ideas, and facilitate a more comprehensive creative experience for the artists, students, and audiences of Pittsburgh. The Center will be a connective, collaborative hub between a R1 research university and multiple regional theaters to develop new theatrical work and sustain the live performance industry in Pittsburgh and around the country.

The Co-Artistic Director (Staff) will lead the newly established Center for New Work Development in collaboration with the Co-Artistic Director (Faculty). Both roles will report directly to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, with a secondary reporting line to the Head of the School of Drama. Together, the Co-Artistic Directors will be responsible for the creation, development, and execution of the Center, shaping its vision and ensuring the establishment of sustainable, long-term programming.

The Co-Artistic Directors will be instrumental in forging dynamic partnerships that connect Carnegie Mellon University with Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts and theater community. A primary focus will be producing new theatrical work through collaborations both on campus and across the city, starting with six key institutional partners:

• CMU School of Drama

• Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

• Pittsburgh Public Theater

• Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera

• City Theatre Company

• Kelly Strayhorn Theater

This creative leader plays a pivotal role in positioning the Center as a local and national leader in new work development, fostering innovation in the arts through meaningful, ongoing partnerships.

Your core responsibilities will include:

Artistic Programming:

• Collaborate closely with the Co-Artistic Director (Faculty) to curate the annual programming, ensuring alignment of partners’ artistic visions and the university’s educational mission.

• Primary liaison with external partners and lead producer for the Center’s programming, identifying opportunities for collaboration and creating various development models to facilitate creative development and fulfill academic requirements at the same time.

• Proactively solicit projects from artists, agents, regional theaters, and commercial producers for development in conjunction with key Pittsburgh partner initiatives.

Leadership and Strategic Development:

• In partnership with the Co-Artistic Director (Faculty), develop and begin to implement comprehensive 5-year and 10-year strategic plans for the Center, establishing clear goals for programming, curriculum development, fundraising, and audience engagement.

• Build and maintain relationships with commercial producers and other external partners, identifying shared resource or enhancement opportunities for future projects.

• Lead the Center’s branding strategy and oversee its public-facing launch.

• Serve as a key representative of the Center, speaking on behalf of its mission at official events and engagements, and cultivating relationships with both internal and external stakeholders with professionalism, integrity, and cultural sensitivity.

Financial Oversight and Advancement:

• Develop and manage a robust and efficient annual budget for the Center, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with long-term objectives.

• Forecast future financial requirements, identifying key revenue streams and cost-saving measures to support the Center’s growth.

• Lead all fundraising initiatives for the Center, serving as the primary liaison with CMU Advancement and external stakeholders.

• Spearhead any endowment, major, and minor giving campaigns, creating a portfolio and building strong relationships with potential donors to secure the Center’s financial future.

• Develop and submit competitive grant proposals to foundations and government agencies to support programming, operations, and long-term sustainability.

Community Engagement:

• Engage directly with students, attending rehearsals and meetings to oversee interactions between students and visiting artists, ensuring a healthy, productive experience for all.

• In collaboration with the Co-Artistic Director (Faculty) spearhead ideas for community engagement initiatives for the Center’s programming.

• Attend partner season productions, events, opening nights, and other programming to facilitate more relationships between the Center and the city.