Programming Manager

The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) is a leading non-profit arts organization that produces major festivals and events featuring traditional music, dance, storytelling, crafts, and more. The NCTA seeks an experienced, highly motivated individual with a strong commitment to a broad spectrum of folk and traditional arts to develop and coordinate program content for major annual festivals, tours and other events. Responsibilities include the solicitation and evaluation of potential performers, extensive networking with the field and conducting original fieldwork to identify new artists, working with community programming committees, and negotiating contracts, as well as developing program schedules, written program notes and press materials. Other duties include assisting with related grant proposals, media projects, etc. Very strong writing and organizational skills, the ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team, and good computer skills (specify) are essential, as is familiarity with a wide range of traditional music, dance and other art forms. Successful candidates must demonstrate thorough attention to detail and willingness to take direction. A background in folklore, history, ethnomusicology, cultural anthropology or a related field is preferred.

Position responsibilities: 

·      Research and evaluate the appropriateness of potential new artists for NCTA programs (festivals, tours, special projects, etc.) per the organization’s programmatic philosophy and mission. This includes the solicitation of performers; conducting fieldwork to identify new ideas to explore and provide grassroots artists new opportunities to work with the NCTA; and sharing new ideas/materials and working collaboratively with other members of programming staff to maintain the NCTA’s longstanding artistic mission.  

In coordination with Festival partners and NCTA senior staff:

•   Manage and execute NCTA programmatic responsibilities at one or more festivals, including: research and prepare recommendations for artists to be included in festival programs, traveling to multiple out of town programming meetings, working with programming committees to guide the selection process, negotiation of contracts, developing program schedules and writing program notes and press materials. Researching and writing and editing narrative texts and sound samples for grant proposals, media projects, etc. Organize and update digital photographic files. Create and maintain research on festival artists and artist media materials. Participate in coordination of local partner marketing efforts.
• Supervise: research on festival artists, collection of promotional materials, management of artist merchandise sales, production of schedules and other tasks during festival season. Generate, disseminate and track festival artists contracts. Supervise the research, collection, assembling and distribution of photographic and print marketing and educational materials. Work with partnering organizations and institutions to facilitate and support effective marketing, promotion and outreach efforts.

·      Support senior staff with responsibilities related to the National Park Service Cooperative Agreements and partner NPS sites.

·      Support senior staff with programmatic responsibilities related to other NCTA festivals and events.

·      Support NCTA Director, program and production staff with NCTA responsibilities at the National Heritage Fellowships, touring programs, and other events and activities.

·      Supervise, train, evaluate and recruit support staff based on current staffing levels.

·      Participate in organization strategic planning and development activities in cooperation with the NCTA director.

• Other duties as assigned.
• The candidate is expected to work regularly in our Silver Spring, MD office location and be able to travel on-site for events with some additional evenings and weekends based on events schedule.

The NCTA believes that bringing diverse grassroots artists of the highest caliber to the people of our nation and the world creates powerful, deeply rooted cultural experiences that are transformative, fostering cultural understanding and strengthening civil society. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, reflecting our commitment to and celebration of diversity in our public programs. We encourage applicants with a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds to apply.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and references to work@ncta-usa.org, or send via mail to NCTA Search Committee, 8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 450, Silver Spring, MD 20910.