Vice President of Visual and Performing Arts

Socket.dev; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

LEAD Public Schools in Nashville seeks a visionary Vice President of Visual & Performing Arts to develop and lead a comprehensive arts education strategy across the network. The role will assess current programs, build sustainability, and expand student access to meaningful artistic experiences.

The position focuses on instructional leadership, curriculum alignment with Tennessee standards, and partnerships with Nashville’s arts community to elevate and sustain high-quality programming.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in visual or performing arts, education, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred in arts education or educational leadership.
• Experience in arts education, programming, or leadership at the K–12 level.
• Experience expanding arts programming and building partnerships.
• Strong ability to translate strategy into implementation.

Responsibilities

• Develop network-wide vision and multi-year strategy for visual and performing arts.
• Assess existing programming, staffing, and resources to identify growth opportunities.
• Create roadmap to expand high-quality arts programming across LEAD Public Schools.
• Provide instructional leadership and professional development to arts educators.
• Expand student access to performances, exhibitions, and master classes.
• Build partnerships with local artists, organizations, and educational institutions.
• Manage budgets and resources to sustain arts programming.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Curriculum development

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in visual/performing arts or related field

Master's degree in arts education or educational leadership

Job description

JOB TITLE: Vice President of Visual & Performing Arts

REPORTS TO: Chief Academic Officer

JOB SUMMARY:

LEAD Public Schools seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and student-centered Vice President of Visual & Performing Arts to develop and lead a comprehensive vision for arts education across LEAD Public Schools. As LEAD continues to strengthen the educational experiences available to students, the Vice President of Visual & Performing Arts will have a unique opportunity to build and expand high-quality arts programming from the ground up. While LEAD currently has limited visual and performing arts programming, Nashville offers an extraordinary environment in which to imagine what is possible. The Vice President will assess existing programs and resources, establish a long-term strategy for arts education, strengthen instructional quality, and identify opportunities to expand student access to meaningful artistic experiences.

MAJOR PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Arts Vision & Program Development

• Develop and lead a network-wide vision and multi-year strategy for visual and performing arts at LEAD Public Schools.

• Assess existing programming, staffing, resources, facilities, and student participation to identify opportunities for strategic growth.

• Develop and implement a roadmap for expanding high-quality arts programming based on student interests, school needs, available resources, and sustainability.

• Establish clear standards for high-quality arts programming aligned with LEAD’s academic vision.

• Build sustainable systems and structures that support the long-term growth of arts programming across the network.

Instructional Leadership

• Provide instructional leadership, coaching, and professional development to visual and performing arts educators.

• Support the development and implementation of rigorous, engaging arts curricula aligned with Tennessee standards and LEAD’s instructional expectations.

• Partner with school leaders to monitor instructional quality and support the continued development of arts educators.

• Establish measures of program quality, student participation, artistic growth, and overall effectiveness.

Student Opportunities & Experiences

• Expand student access to performances, exhibitions, competitions, workshops, master classes, and other authentic artistic experiences.

• Develop network-wide opportunities to showcase and celebrate student creativity and artistic achievement.

• Create pathways for students to pursue advanced artistic interests and opportunities.

• Ensure student voice and equitable access inform the development and expansion of arts programming.

Nashville Arts & Community Partnerships

• Build strategic partnerships with Nashville’s artists, arts organizations, cultural institutions, colleges and universities, and creative industries.

• Develop partnerships that connect students with mentors, guest artists, performances, workshops, internships, and other enrichment experiences.

• Identify grants, sponsorships, donations, artist residencies, and other external resources to support program growth.

• Serve as an ambassador for LEAD’s visual and performing arts programs throughout the Nashville community.

Program Operations & Sustainability

• Develop annual priorities, measurable goals, budgets, and implementation plans for visual and performing arts programming.

• Partner with school and network leaders to address staffing, scheduling, facilities, equipment, technology, and other program needs.

• Manage arts-related resources and identify external funding opportunities to support program growth.

• Monitor participation, outcomes, and stakeholder feedback to guide continuous improvement and future investments.

• Build scalable and sustainable systems that support the long-term growth of successful arts programs.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate with school and network leaders, as well as students and teachers to successfully develop and implement visual and performing arts programming.

• Advise leadership on arts-related priorities, investments, opportunities, and emerging needs.

• Build engagement and shared ownership among students, families, employees, and community partners.

• Model LEAD Public Schools’ values and contribute to the organization’s broader mission and culture.

• Perform other duties and lead special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in visual arts, performing arts, music, theatre, dance, arts education, education, or a related field.

• Valid teaching license and/or eligible for TN licensure preferred.

• Experience teaching visual or performing arts in a K–12 educational setting.

• Demonstrated professional experience in arts education, arts programming, educational leadership, or a closely related field.

• Experience developing, leading, or significantly expanding arts programming for students.

• Demonstrated ability to move from strategic vision to successful implementation.

• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with educators, school leaders, students, families, community organizations, and external partners.

• Commitment to expanding access to high-quality arts experiences for students.

PREFERRED:

• Master's degree in arts education, educational leadership, fine arts, music, theatre, arts administration, or a related field.

• Experience supervising, coaching, or developing arts educators.

• Experience developing arts programming across multiple schools, campuses, or programs.

• Experience establishing community partnerships and cultivating relationships with arts and cultural organizations.

• Experience securing grants, sponsorships, donations, or other external resources for arts programming.

• Knowledge of Nashville's arts, music, entertainment, cultural, nonprofit, or higher education communities.

• Experience developing a new program, department, or organizational initiative from its early stages.

COMPENSATION:

This is a full-time, exempt position. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, including full benefits and technology provisions.

LEAD PUBLIC SCHOOLS NON-DISCRIMINATION-POLICY:

LEAD Public Schools does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion,

ancestry, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical

condition, national origin, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information,

or veteran status in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs and activities.

LEAD Public Schools does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices and

complies with applicable federal and state regulations, including those implementing Title

IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, Title VI, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of

1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990.