Artistic Director

THE VILAR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Located in the heart of Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado’s Vail Valley, the Vilar Performing Arts Center is an intimate, state-of-the-art 530-seat theater with an artistic ambition and level of institutional support uncommon for venues of its capacity. The Vilar is committed to presenting exceptional artists across genres and creating opportunities for audiences to experience extraordinary talent in a remarkably close and distinctive setting, pairing the intimacy of a small theater with the resources, relationships and vision to pursue world-class programming at the highest artistic level.

That commitment is backed by meaningful programming resources, strong philanthropic support and an ongoing investment in the quality of the venue itself. Recent capital improvements have enhanced both audience and artist experiences, while a transformational naming gift established the Eskenazi Meyers Theatre Fund to support the long-term care and advancement of the theater.

Recent and notable artists presented at the Vilar have included: Jerry Seinfeld, Norah Jones, Yo-Yo Ma, Lang Lang, Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Maren Morris, Kristin Chenoweth with the Colorado Symphony, Joshua Bell, John Fogerty, Jim Gaffigan, Penn & Teller, Leslie Odom Jr., David Sedaris, STYX, Clint Black, Sierra Ferrell, The Revivalists and more.

The Artistic Director serves as the Vilar Performing Arts Center’s chief programmer and artistic curator, shaping a distinctive, diverse and compelling year-round program of live performances. The role advances the Vilar’s commitment to presenting exceptional and iconic artists across genres at a level rarely associated with a 530-seat venue.

Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, the Artistic Director leads the Vilar’s artistic programming strategy and is primarily responsible for identifying, evaluating, negotiating and securing artists and attractions across a broad range of disciplines, including popular music, classical music, jazz, dance, Broadway, comedy, family entertainment and other performing arts genres.

The Artistic Director serves as a key external representative of the Vilar within the performing arts and live entertainment industries, developing strong relationships with artists, agents, managers, promoters, producers and presenting partners. The position combines artistic judgment with commercial acumen, balancing artistic excellence, audience interests, community relevance, financial considerations and thoughtful risk-taking within the unique opportunities and limitations of presenting in an intimate 530-seat venue in the Vail Valley.

This full-time, year-round position reports to the Vilar Executive Director, directly supervises the Senior Artistic Operations Manager and works closely with cross-functional teams responsible for production, marketing, ticketing, education and community engagement, development and finance.

• Develop and advance a compelling artistic vision for the Vilar in partnership with the Executive Director, shaping and strengthening a distinctive and recognizable institutional identity.
• Curate the overall architecture and pacing of balanced, financially responsible programming seasons, considering artistic disciplines, audience segments, financial risk, calendar dynamics and major programming opportunities.
• Identify artists, genres and programming concepts that deepen engagement with existing audiences while intentionally cultivating new and more diverse audiences for the Vilar.
• Develop programming strategies that serve the Vilar’s diverse constituencies, including local residents, destination guests, donors, families, students and arts enthusiasts.
• Regularly evaluate programming performance, including attendance, financial results, audience response and strategic objectives, and apply those insights to future programming decisions.
• Conceive and develop special series, festivals, residencies, collaborations and new programming formats that expand the Vilar’s artistic…