Artistic Director

21V; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

21V is seeking an imaginative Artistic Director in the San Francisco Bay Area. This part-time, project-based role leads the ensemble’s artistic vision, programming, and outreach, with two yearly projects and in-person rehearsals in the Bay Area, plus remote administrative work.

The ideal candidate will bring proven artistic leadership, strong conducting skills, and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and community engagement across local, national, and international scenes.

Qualifications

• Proven artistic leadership experience.
• Strong conducting skill and musicianship.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall artistic vision and long-term planning for the ensemble.
• Select, program, and conduct repertoire for the season.
• Recruit, audition, and develop singers and musicians.
• Commission new works and cultivate relationships with composers.
• Lead rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and main-stage performances.
• Partner with the Board to align artistic vision with organizational health.
• Participate in fundraising, donor engagement, and growth efforts.
• Develop an annual artistic plan and manage budget-informed activities.
• Serve as public-facing spokesperson to support marketing and audience development.
• Build collaborative relationships within local, national, and international music communities.

Skills

Artistic leadership

Conducting

Program development

Audience engagement

Equity & inclusion

Job description

Position Summary

The Artistic Director serves as the chief artistic leader of 21V, responsible for shaping andadvancing the ensemble’s vision, programming, and broader cultural impact. This positionreports directly to the Board of Directors. The role is part-time and project-based, with 21Vgenerally presenting two artistic projects each year – one in the fall and one in the spring.Each project typically includes approximately five weeks of rehearsals and generallyculminates in two performances. The schedule varies seasonally, with a greater timecommitment during active rehearsal and performance cycles, including evenings andweekends. The Artistic Director works in person for rehearsals, performances, and selectmeetings in the Bay Area, while completing remaining administrative work and meetings
remotely.

Core Responsibilities

Artistic Leadership

• Provide overall artistic vision, direction, and long-term planning for the ensemble
• Select, program, and conduct all repertoire for the performance season
• Recruit, audition, and develop professional singers, core musicians, and guest artists
• Commission new works and cultivate active relationships with composers
• Lead all regular rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and main-stage performances

Organizational Strategy & Stewardship

• Partner with the Board of Directors to align artistic vision with organizational health
• Participate actively in fundraising, donor engagement, and institutional growth
• Develop an annual artistic plan to inform budgeting and operate within approvedparameters
• Serve as the public-facing spokesperson to support marketing and audiencedevelopment
• Build collaborative relationships within local, national, and international musiccommunities

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The ideal candidate is an imaginative and collaborative artistic leader with a deep commitment to contemporary treble choral music and to the cultural breadth of the Americas. While this distinctive musical focus is our starting point, we welcome a leader who will expand our horizons and guide the ensemble toward new creative possibilities. Prior artistic leadership experience is required. The next Artistic Director will demonstrate:

• Artistic Excellence: Exceptional musicianship and conducting skill, with a provenability to inspire, develop, and work with professional singers.
• Innovative Programming: Curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to take artistic risks incurating compelling programs.
• Audience & Community Engagement: Strong interpersonal and on-stagecommunication skills to create meaningful connections with listeners and deepen21V’s relevance in the community.
• Equity, Inclusion & Representation: A commitment to fostering diversity, equity,inclusion, and representation within the organization and its musical output.
• Collaboration & Strategy: Excellent communication skills to work effectively withsingers, board members, and stakeholders, balancing artistic ambition withorganizational sustainability.