Artistic Coordinator - Cincinnati Opera

Founded in 1920, Cincinnati Opera is one of the oldest and most highly regarded opera companies in the United States. Known for its longstanding partnership with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, a roster of world-class singers, and its spectacular performance venue, Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati Opera has received numerous accolades and awards, including a recent nomination for the prestigious International Opera Award. Cincinnati Opera offers a primary season of performances from June through August (paid attendance 17,000-20,000), plus a host of events through the year, including educational programming, small-scale public performances, recitals, and fundraisers.

Cincinnati Opera is seeking an Artistic Coordinator who will help advance the company’s commitment to artistic excellence by managing the artist services, auditions, and operational logistics that support the organization’s productions and artistic initiatives. The Artistic Coordinator will coordinate travel, housing, hospitality, and visa processes for artists; oversee audition administration; and support special events, creative collaborations, and year-round artistic programs. Working closely with artists, managers, vendors, and colleagues across the organization, this role ensures an exceptional artist experience and the successful execution of Cincinnati Opera’s artistic vision.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Company Management  

• Develop artist policies and procedures for summer season, which involves an abrupt influx of over 100 seasonal artists and other employees. Policy areas include building access protocols, the communication of first-day information, artist resources, the collection of demographic data, artist financial information, and more. Company management functions apply to artists under both Artistic and Production departments – stage managers, designers, etc. 
• Exercises extreme discretion and judgment when working with high profile artists/their management, and negotiating their housing/travel options to ensure artist satisfaction and fiscal management. 
• Maintains budget for artist housing and travel with oversight of specific spending, tracks and documents reimbursements.
• Project manager for all artist housing and travel for the summer season and year-round projects. 
• Maintains relationships with housing vendors, negotiates artist rates, and creates new partnerships with hotels and other accommodations. 
• Books flights and accommodations, communicates with artists about travel and housing options. 
• Creates and distributes itineraries and other logistical information.  

Gigs and Special Events 

• Works with other departments and outside partners to create on-brand, artistically excellent performances that represent Cincinnati Opera. Includes all opera events in which artists are involved – fundraisers, collaborations with other organizations, memorials, holiday events, etc. 
• Drawing on expertise in assessing opera singers and pianists, proposes singers and pianists to hire for gigs, in consultation with Artistic Director and Artistic Administrator. 
• Using creativity and expertise on operatic repertoire, proposes musical selections for gigs and events, depending on the theme, artists, and other constraints. 
• Communicates with singers about repertoire and details. Communicates with venues and other stakeholders to make arrangements. 
• Serve as day-of point of contact representing the opera – sets up equipment, handles artist needs, and organizes payments.  

Artist Hospitality  

• Manage artist hospitality budget, with oversight of the details of specific spending. 
• Serve as point of contact for artist needs including emergency situations, airport pickups, doctor appointments, etc. 
• Manages purchasing, and oversee Artistic Operations Intern in the tracking and stocking of artist hospitality stations throughout the season, in rehearsal rooms and backstage. 
• Works with CAA to create, distribute, and collect access badges to Music Hall 
• Provide rehearsal and artistic support during rehearsals, performances, and Cincinnati Opera Association events.

Auditions

• Own and improve processes of planning, publicizing, and executing auditions for Cincinnati Opera. Includes auditions for singers, pianists, supernumeraries, dancers, and other artists as applicable. 
• Manage budget for auditions, with oversight of specific spending. 
• Creates and manages audition information to be posted on Yaptracker and other job sites 
• Creates processes for mass collection of artist information digital audition materials
• Communicates with several hundred artists hoping to audition about the status of their audition.  
• Manages the day-to-day of audition logistics: collating repertoire and paperwork, making arrangements for pianists, security, and lunch for the panel. 

Artist Visas

• Prepares and submits visa information to USCIS for international artists
• Work with artists and managers to ensure artists secure consulate appointments in a timely fashion 
• Maintains expertise on visa procedures via USCIS in the face of evolving administrations. 

Opera Fusion 

• Manage logistics for workshops for visiting opera companies including the Metropolitan Opera, including communicating with visiting company representatives, creating production management information, organizing housing, travel, building access, and other support to the process. 
• Provide a presence in the rehearsal room to workshop rehearsals and performances, field questions and provide guidance to the visiting creative teams. 

Operational Management   

• Provide oversight and task management to Artistic Operations Intern. Participate in intern search. 
• Manages logistics and board communication for Artistic Planning committee meetings
• Coordinate with the Artistic Director and Artistic Administrator on daily operations of the department. 
• Other duties as assigned

The Artistic Coordinator position reports to the Artistic Administrator.

• Bachelor’s degree (music, arts, or related field).
• 3+ year of relevant experience.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Discretion and sensitivity when communicating with high profile artists, board members, and other VIPs 
• Experience with Microsoft Office and database management.

Cincinnati Opera receives administrative support through a shared services agreement with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO). As part of the application process, you may receive communications from CSO team members.