Executive Director

Executive Director

Inside the Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Inside the Orchestra is to bring music to children, cultivating music appreciation and enhancing their education through engaging, interactive experiences with orchestral music.

IO's unique and interactive programs are designed to plant the seeds for life-long appreciation of music and performing arts, as well as to fill in gaps in music education provided by the educational system. IO provides large-scale immersive, interactive educational concerts for children 12 and under, through in-school programming and in programs open to the public. IO also provides smaller group performance programs, educational sessions, lesson plans, and curated activities for teachers and individuals to engage children with music and the performing arts.

In a typical year, IO provides in person programs to over 20,000 people.

IO is committed to providing high-quality childhood arts programming, in English and multilingual formats, to racially and economically diverse communities. Our organization prioritizes hiring and partnering with exceptional professional artists and organizations, in order to create dynamic programming that helps kids step into the world of the arts. IO is known for being inclusive and equitable – putting the needs of children first – and taking down barriers that can exist between the audience and the orchestra.

Orchestra music is for everyone, and IO is dedicated to reimagining its place in our community.

IO has received national recognition and funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the National Endowment for the Arts. IO has been awarded "Best of Denver" recognition from Westword for both in-person and separately for online programming. Since March 2020, students, teachers, and educators from around Colorado, throughout the US, and around the world have joined IO online for virtual programming. In fall 2022, IO debuted its first "Inside the Story" project.

This multi-year project was created in collaboration with Lighthouse Writers Workshop and Art Students League of Denver and featured bilingual programming, books, concerts, and arts experiences for young people.

Inside the Orchestra is honored to be one of the local nonprofits recognized as a Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) Tier III Arts and Cultural organization.

Position Overview

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive of Inside the Orchestra (IO) and, in partnership with the Board of Directors, is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, financial sustainability, and operational success of the organization. The ED leads implementation of the organization's three-year strategic plan and manages day-to-day operations in accordance with Board-approved policies and priorities.

The ED leads the organization collaborating with the Program Director, Conductors, Board of Directors, the Denver Musicians Association (DMA), contractors and volunteers. The ED fosters a culture that supports artistic excellence, organizational effectiveness, and mission-driven decision-making.

The ED will:

• Serve as the organization's primary ambassador and chief fundraiser, cultivating relationships with donors, corporate and community partners, government agencies, board members, and other stakeholders to expand resources, strengthen partnerships, and increase the organization's visibility and impact.
• Provide visionary leadership to advance Inside the Orchestra's mission, execute the strategic plan, and ensure the organization's long-term financial and operational sustainability.
• Lead the organization by fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture; overseeing staff, operations, and financial management; and ensuring organizational excellence in support of artistic and educational programming.

About the Role

Development:

• Lead fundraising strategy, including donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement across individuals, corporate sponsors, foundations, and government funders (e.g., SCFD, NEA).
• Manage fundraising events and special campaigns.
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations to expand…