Director of Programming

About Us

At Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP, we strive to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. We pride ourselves on bringing the best Arts and Entertainment to our audiences in Northwest Arkansas, and we know our organization runs on the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees.

Our organizations’ dedication to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is clearly reflected in our values: Relevance; Inclusivity; Sustainability; Excellence. Diversity is a commitment at Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP.  We are fully focused on equity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us unique.

Walton Arts Center Inc. operates two campuses: a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre and 269-seat black box in Fayetteville and an 11,000-capacity outdoor Amphitheatre known as the Walmart AMP in Rogers, AR. Walton Arts Center is celebrating its 30th Anniversary as Arkansas’ premier performing arts center and Walmart AMP has consistently been one of Billboard’s top-rated amphitheaters producing 30 plus concerts per season.

Located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, NWA (as the locals refer to it) includes Benton, Washington and Madison counties, with five cities: Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale and Siloam Springs. The economic opportunity is unparalleled, but so is the lifestyle — see: 400-plus miles of mountain biking trails and paved pathways, a thriving arts community complete with world-class performing arts center and museums, a legitimate beer and food scene, and live music to enjoy. Best of all, it’s a place where everyone is welcome.

Position Overview

The Director of Programming is an integral member of WAC’s Programming Department and a crucial liaison to the rest of the company, specifically the Leadership Team, Production, Learning & Engagement, Communications, and Operations. This position is instrumental in booking the Broadway and Night Out series, as well as various festival programming and some third-party promoter events; is directly responsible for booking and managing the 10×10 Arts Series; oversees and ensures that other sponsored and non-sponsored series are fulfilled; and partners with Learning & Engagement Director regarding the Classroom series. Administratively, Director oversees and ensures the efficient and timely flow of Programming information, including but not limited to the calendar; the issuing and tracking of artist offers; the receipt, mark-up, and return of completed artist contracts; and the accurate and timely dissemination of essential details to other departments. Director is also an essential partner in the contracting of talent for internal events and fundraisers, and represents WAC to various industry organizations and colleagues.

Principal Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Find, research, evaluate, and recommend artists for various WAC series, being mindful of diversity, thematic and/or organizational priorities, and educational / engagement opportunities.
• Oversee the internal budget process for each prospective artist / title / Programming event, including third-party rentals, gathering timely and accurate input from Production, Communications, Operations, etc.
• Facilitate / oversee the offer, negotiation, and sales-goal setting process.
• Facilitate / oversee the timely execution of artist and promoter contracts and the subsequent dissemination of contracts to relevant departments, updating departments as terms change.
• Partner with Communications on the assignment of artists / titles to WAC’s various series, and the subsequent creation of sales collateral.
• With Communications and other colleagues, track progress toward financial and attendance goals, and participate in decision-making around dynamic pricing and revenue pacing.
• Partner with Development as they solicit grant and/or sponsorship support, then aid in their annual reporting to donors.
• Collaborate with others to ensure the timely and accurate update of organizational booking calendar.
• Oversee and ensure the timely and accurate payment of artists.
• Authorize offers, contracts and department’s check requests
• Participate in the development and implementation of annual departmental budget.
• Represent Walton Arts Center / Walmart AMP at both on and off-site events, as requested.
• Maintain professional working relationships with teammates, fellow staff members from other departments, vendors, patrons, and tenants of leased spaces.
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor
• Maintain security and safety requirements as defined by operations guidelines.
• Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures

Minimum Qualifications

The work environment as well as the intellectual, social, and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• An advocate of the performing arts as an essential element in quality of life and a driver of economic activity.
• Genuine and demonstrable curiosity about the world in which we live, the various cultures that comprise Northwest Arkansas, and the forms of performing arts that reflect both.
• Deep knowledge of relevant artists and an appropriate network in the industry.
• Experience in artist residency planning and execution highly desired

Education, Training, Traits

• High school diploma or GED required
• Bachelors’ degree or equivalent experience in the field and or appropriate transferrable skills
• Comfortable with consistently adhering to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, ethics and confidentiality
• An on-going desire to learn and improve
• Ability to make decisions in a fast-paced work environment
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service
• Strong communications skills and the ability to interact with many different types of people
• Ability to work independently as well as with others to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices
• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards

Work Experience

• Minimum five years’ experience required
• Experience in artist residency planning and execution highly desired

Physical

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly (on telephone)
• Must be able to endure sitting or standing for extended periods of time
• Must be able to endure standing or walking for extended periods of time on various surfaces such as concrete, grass, and inclined surfaces.
• Must be able to endure outdoor elements including cold, heat, wind, and/or precipitation
• Must be able to work in large, crowded environments, with flashing lights, loud music and noises, pyrotechnics, and cannons as part of shows and events