Open Position: Artistic Director

Tango Mercurio, an arts-education nonprofit organization, seeks a passionate, experienced Artistic Director to oversee its Dance Education Program. Applicants should have a background in dance or related field, experience organizing and managing classes, a passion for tango, experience in the nonprofit sector, and an appreciation for community building.

Application deadline: October 15, 2021

Roles and Responsibilities

The Artistic Director will be responsible for organizing and managing our Dance Education Program, based on Tango Mercurio’s mission; scheduling classes year-round; recruiting, assigning, and supporting instructors; promoting the program and other Tango Mercurio events; and helping to organize performances for Tango Mercurio’s Outreach Program.

The Artistic Director is also expected to provide administrative support to the organization, such as managing payment systems and class rosters, reporting to the Board, preparing promotional materials, and updating the website and social media.

The Artistic Director will work independently, in coordination with the Executive Director, and report to the Board of Directors.

The Artistic Director’s specific duties include the following:
1. Class scheduling: creating class schedules of six-week series for beginners, intermediate level dancers, and advanced dancers, and “Boot Camp” weekend sessions for beginners; updating our website and registration forms.

2. Instructor management: creating a staff calendar; recruiting and training new instructors; finding substitutes when needed.

3. Payment management: creating and tracking class rosters to make sure there are no outstanding payments.

4. Student management: preparing student roster lists for instructors of series classes; answering emails from students; ensuring classes are balanced (leader v. follower).

5. Class and program promotion: marketing our classes through Tango Mercurio’s channels (Facebook, website, newsletter, Capital Tangueros, etc.) and actively maintaining good relations with other organizers.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in dance, performing arts, education, or other related field, or equivalent professional experience. Experience in dance performance is preferred, but not required.

• Strong communication skills, including writing, editing, and public speaking, and basic accounting skills.

• Excellent organizational skills; experience in project management and general administrative work; ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and prioritize multiple projects.

• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.

• Expertise in Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Knowledge of graphic design a plus.

Commitment

The Artistic Director will devote a minimum of 10 hours per week to the organization, including some evenings and weekends for events.

Compensation

The Artistic Director will receive a monthly stipend, plus an hourly fee for classes taught.

How to Apply

Email us at info@tangomercurio.com, outlining your relevant experience and the contribution you can make to the organization, and attaching your résumé. Selected candidates will be interviewed by current Board members.

Our Mission
Tango Mercurio is a 501(c)(3) arts-education organization founded in 2008 to present the creative tango tradition as a way for individuals to find balance in their lives and discover the unique contributions they have to make in the world.

Tango Mercurio uses Argentine tango as an agent of community development. Because tango is a community-based art form with a global following, it embraces dancers, musicians, and the public at large. Our mission is to promote cultural understanding and social cohesion through Argentine tango by providing ongoing public opportunities for dance, music, learning, and community engagement.

Our Programs
We teach classes in Argentine tango, from complete beginner to teacher-in-training. We host events, where social dancers at all levels are treated to high-quality music and a welcoming atmosphere. We organize workshops for musicians and performances of live music for dancing and cultural education. And we connect the tango community to the broader community in the Washington, DC, area, by bringing dance, music, and culture to the public at large.

Dance Education—Our comprehensive Argentine tango dance curriculum guides students on their journey as individual dancers or teachers embedded in a broader community of dancers and organizers. Technical skill—preparation, connection, vocabulary, expression—and an understanding of the music are fundamental to this process.

Events—A tango community is an association of tango dancers who attend social dances called “milongas” and informal practice gatherings called “prácticas.” For a tango community to grow and survive, dancers must have enjoyable dance experiences in a friendly environment. We host events every month for students and alumni of our school, and members of the tango community at large.

Music—Our Live Music Program seeks to revive the folk music tradition at the heart of tango. We promote community building through music education and live performances, in partnership with professional musicians.

Outreach—Our Outreach Program connects generations and reaches populations that would otherwise not be exposed to tango, such as older adults, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and underserved youth. We provide public performances and tango instruction, in some cases free of charge.