Executive Director, Performing Arts

Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) Position - Executive Director, Performing Arts Job Description

Reports to:

Board of Directors

Supervises:
Staff, contractors, consultants, and volunteers, as applicable

Classification:
Exempt (W-2)

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and cultural leader of CAAPA, ensuring both artistic excellence and organizational sustainability. This individual will be a passionate advocate for African American performing arts and will work closely with artists, educators, community leaders, donors, and the Board to expand CAAPA's impact through music, performance, arts education, and cultural programming. CAAPA's programs include music and choral performance, youth arts education, cultural heritage programming, artist development, and community engagement initiatives.

This position requires substantive professional experience in the music, choral, classical, or performing arts sector.

The Executive Director provides overall leadership for strategy, programming, fundraising, financial stewardship, organizational development, community partnerships, and external relations. The Executive Director ensures that CAAPA operates with strong governance, sound financial management, and measurable impact while positioning the organization for sustainable long-term growth.

Success in this role is measured by organizational impact, financial sustainability, strategic execution, and strong relationships with artists, educators, donors, partners, and the Board.

For more information about CAAPA, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..org

• Lead the creation and implementation of CAAPA's strategic vision and annual operating plan.
• Work closely with the Board to establish priorities, evaluate opportunities, and measure organizational performance.
• Identify emerging opportunities that expand CAAPA's impact throughout the region and nationally.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support artistic planning, audience development, and program growth across CAAPA's music, educational, and cultural initiatives.
• Collaborate with artists, musicians, educators, conductors, performers, and artistic partners to maintain high-quality performing arts programming.
• Oversee CAAPA's programs to ensure mission alignment, measurable impact, fiscal responsibility, and organizational sustainability.
• Work with staff and artistic partners to develop programs that balance mission, quality, audience engagement, and financial responsibility.

Lead and expand CAAPA's fundraising and advancement efforts by:

• Developing and implementing an annual fundraising strategy.
• Cultivating relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Working with the Board to strengthen its fundraising capacity.
• Identifying new revenue opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Ensuring grant development and stewardship.

Provide sound financial stewardship by:

• Developing annual budgets with Board approval.
• Monitoring financial performance and cash flow.
• Ensuring appropriate financial controls and reporting.
• Managing resources responsibly to achieve strategic priorities.
• Presenting clear financial information to the Board.

• Partner with the Board to support governance, strategic planning, committee operations, policy implementation, and informed decision-making.
• Implement Board policies and priorities.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board.

• Serve as CAAPA's chief ambassador and spokesperson, building relationships with artists, musicians, ensembles, educators, community stakeholders, arts organizations,…