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Director
The Ferst Center for the Arts
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia
Background
In the heart of the campus of Georgia Institute of Technology (“GA Tech” or “the Institute”) resides The Ferst Center for the Arts (“FCA” or “the Center”), annually presenting nearly 30 music, dance and theatrical events. FCA was created to provide a wealth of diverse and enriching arts and culture experiences and opportunities for GA Tech students, faculty and staff as well as for the greater Atlanta community.
The Center programs an outstanding season of music, theatre, dance, and opera performances from September to May. The wide selection of musical genres includes jazz, classical, blues, bluegrass, folk, and pop. The Georgia Tech Music Department performs several concerts at the Ferst Center throughout the year. In addition, the center has been home to several Atlanta performing arts companies that present all or most of their season at FCA, including the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Ballethnic Dance Company, and the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus. DramaTech, a campus theatre group which has its own black-box performance space within the facility, performs at least one show at FCA each year. The Center is available for use by on-campus academic and student groups as well as outside rentals; the latter has become an important source of revenue for the Center. Tickets to all events at the Center are sold through the Ferst Center Box Office, located in the campus student center.
The Ferst Center for the Arts officially opened its doors on Monday, April 13, 1992, with a dedication performance by world-renowned pianist, Andre Watts. Since then, it has hosted other world-class artists including Itzhak Perlman, Marcel Marceau and Wynton Marsalis, as well as the 1992 Vice-Presidential debate and the Secretaries of Defense roundtable. Originally named the Georgia Tech Theatre for the Arts, the Center was renamed in memory of alumnus Robert Ferst, a dedicated GA Tech supporter.
The Institute
The Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the nation's premiere research universities, distinguished by its commitment to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology. The Institute’s campus occupies 400 acres in the heart of the city of Atlanta, with a student population of more than 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The area just to the east of the campus has experienced extensive revitalization in recent years, including a large hotel / conference center owned by GA Tech as well as a host of retail businesses, condominiums and restaurants.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the Institute offers many nationally recognized programs. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in the Colleges of Architecture, Engineering, Sciences, Computing Management and Liberal Arts. GA Tech is consistently ranked in U.S. News & World Report's top ten public universities in the United States . GA Tech’s website is www.gatech.edu
The Facility
FCA is a multi-use facility with capability of effectively presenting theatre, dance, music and spoken word presentations. With a seating capacity of 1055-1155, FCA provides an intimate experience and excellent sightlines for its audience. There are two gallery spaces in the lobby, which are also used extensively for meetings. The design of the audience chamber includes continental seating with one horizontal convenience aisle; there is no balcony; rather, a significant rake provides good sightlines from all seats.
The proscenium is 52’-wide x 20’ high fronting a stage area of 35’, or 52’ deep with pit to stage level; stage width wall-to-wall is 80’. Overhead is a 60’ grid with 44 line sets. The hydraulic orchestra pit will accommodate up to 20 musicians, or in the raised position adds 100 seats. For dance companies, a L’Air floor and Marley is available, and an orchestral shell supports classical and non-amplified musical presentations. Photographs of the venue can be found on the FCA website; there is also a link on this page to detailed technical specifications:
www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu/pages/facilities
Current Environment
The City of Atlanta is dynamic, as is its performing arts community. In addition to a number of well-known producing companies – Atlanta Symphony, Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, et al – there are a number of presenting organizations. These include the venerable Fox Theatre and the new Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, as well as other university based presenters such as the Rialto (George State), Spivey Hall (Clayton State) and of course, The Ferst Center.
FCA operates with an annual budget of just over $2 million with a full-time staff of eight. Its presentation series consisted of 29 events last season and 26 events in the coming year. Presentations are one night only. In the GA Tech organizational structure, the Center resides under the umbrella of Student Affairs. It is not a stand-alone 501(c)3; therefore, there is no fiduciary board of directors for the Center. However, there is an advisory board consisting of campus representation (staff and student), alumni, donors and patrons. Overall consensus is that the advisory board could be more focused, and ongoing conversations are focused on the options of repurposing its charge to a fundraising role.
Approximately 20% of the Center’s operating budget is provided by GA Tech. FCA’s 2007-08 income portfolio was 64% earned, 36% contributed (with GA Tech support included in the 36%). Artist fees for the presentation series account for more than a fourth of total expenses, last season in excess of $590,000. Audience development efforts have been effective, resulting in a consistently loyal patron base. There remains upside audience potential however, as FCA sells 70% of its available inventory on average. Subscription sales are based on a “choose-your-own” series of a minimum of five productions. FCA manages its own box office which also fulfills ticketing needs for other campus events. There is a significant commitment to making tickets available and affordable for GA Tech students, who are able to purchase $10 tickets to nearly any FCA event, a program made possible by designated grants. Last season, 17% of all tickets sold were purchased by GA Tech students.
Development efforts are shared. A GA Tech development officer is embedded in Student Affairs and raises funds for all of the needs in that area, which includes FCA. Her efforts focus on gifts of $25,000 and above. Although there is no dedicated FCA development staffer, the business manager executes grant applications and one annual solicitation to Center patrons, “The Friends of the Ferst.” These efforts are admittedly modest, and there is consensus that “low-hanging fruit” may be harvested with more focus and additional human resource.
The operational model currently breaks roughly into thirds: 1) FCA season events; 2) on-campus groups; and 3) outside rentals. Fulfilling an important part of the Center’s mission, on-campus groups are able to use the Center rent-free, paying only for incremental labor and production costs. Outside group rentals provide a positive cash-flow, generating over $130,000 (net) last season. The Center is currently reevaluating it timeline and operational model for making space commitments, with an eye toward using its space and human resources most effectively. FCA uses 75% of its available time. The remaining 25% includes a number of Saturdays (nearly 1/3) and offers additional usage opportunities. From a human resource standpoint, however, FCA is approaching 100% in its endeavors to accommodate its own programming plus on-campus and rental clients, often with multiple events on one day.
Commitment to the Community
FCA has developed a commendable partnership with Centennial Place Elementary School , located very close to the campus. Onsite programs occur, and the schools’ students and faculty attend performances in the Center as guests of FCA. The Arts Education Program at the Ferst Center for the Arts was established in 1998 with a grant from the Lila Wallace - Reader’s Digest Fund. During the 1998-99 school year over 500 students and parents from Centennial Place Elementary School participated in interactive workshops and attended performances. The tremendous success of the first year led to the inclusion of Grady High School students for the second year of the program. The partnership with Centennial Place Elementary and Grady High continues in exciting ways each year. Students receive study guides and prepare in advance to participate in interactive workshops with selected world renowned artists in music and dance. Then the workshops are conducted by these artists who share their passion, background, and artistry with the students. In addition, students and their families receive subsidized tickets so they can attend performances by these artists at the Ferst Center as an integral part of the Arts Education partnership.
The Future
The future of FCA parallels that of GA Tech – vibrant and dynamic. As the Center’s primary charge is enhance the lives of the GA Tech family through arts and cultural experiences, its season programming will continue to respond accordingly. Additionally, there are voluminous opportunities for FCA to connect with the academic components of the Institute. Although some efforts have been realized previously, the Center can – in fact, must – collaborate in a deeper and more significant way with the Institute’s academic components. There is a keenly innovative culture on the campus, and its principals desire to connect their research and study arenas to their performing arts venue. The next FCA director must actively seek these connection points to deepen the Center’s impact on GA Tech’s constituents.
The Center’s operational model is sound, having created a diverse, three-fold portfolio described above. Balancing the time, space and human resources of the Center will be an important focus in coming years, as will deeper relationships with the Institute’s academic and student constituencies. Finally, expanding contributed revenue sources is an immediate focus, building on the strong audience base.
Position
and Responsibilities
The Director will exercise overall responsibility for the programming, operation and financial performance of Ferst Center for the Arts. The Director will report to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Further, the Director will work with campus groups and individuals (from the various academic areas and administration) to develop collaborative programs and activities that will serve the entire campus. The Director is also responsible for developing initiatives that will position FCS to provide both facilities and programs that enhance and strengthen the cultural life of the Atlanta community.
Core Responsibilities
- Provide creative and innovative leadership for the Center’s programmatic, educational and community activities consistent with its mission and the goals identified by the Institute.
- Develop and implement strategic plans and budgets for the Center that address and stimulate 1) on-campus constituencies and
2) community performing arts interests within the appropriate financial guidelines and Institute resources.
- Provide management services as required for use of Ferst Center by academic, administrative and student users.
- Be creative in the integrative relationship of professional programming and educational opportunities for students.
- Operate the Center and its programming within a balanced budget.
- Select programs to be presented that contribute to a diverse and fiscally sound programming mix.
- Oversee the creation of, and help to carry out, fundraising strategies that support the overall work of the Center and its presentations, in coordination with existing GA Tech development efforts.
- Recruit, hire, train, supervise and evaluate FCA staff.
- Create partnerships with other campus groups for cross promotions and program sponsorships.
- Represent the Center and its programs within the community vis-à-vis other presenting organizations, funding entities and public relations needs.
- Play a central role in private fund development, support and sponsorship.
Qualifications
- Able to effectively represent the Center and its programs on campus and within the community.
- Demonstrate strong leadership acumen and exhibit effective organizational and solid interpersonal skills – including a track record for leading, managing and developing a team and a firm understanding of PAC management processes.
- Possess a strong interest in and passion for developing a collaborative working relationship between the Center and the Institute’s academic departments.
- A strong desire to develop community relationships.
- College degree required; a master’s degree in arts or business administration is preferred.
- A strong commitment to and understanding of artistic excellence, with a minimum of five years of successful experience managing complex performing arts facilities. Strong preference will be given to candidates with college/university experience or in an institution with strong educational programming.
- A dynamic leader who demonstrates the passion, motivation and vision required to accomplish the mission of the Center.
- Possess a strong commitment to interactive arts education and campus outreach and an understanding of how to successfully integrate such projects as part of the Center’s mission within the Institute.
- Demonstrate the ability to provide quality programming that spans classical, jazz and popular music, dance, theatre, film and spoken word programs, while stimulating the development of non-traditional performance activities and events which represent and reflect Atlanta ’s diverse cultures and interests
- Demonstrate the ability to offer these programs within budget.
- Demonstrate successful fundraising ability including foundation, corporate and individual solicitation.
- Have strong leadership and communication skills, including a clear ability to encourage and energize staff, peers, artists, donors and audiences.
The following personal attributes will also be considered important to the Committee:
- An active and energetic mind and demeanor.
- Deep commitment to education.
- Very strong social and interpersonal skills, including taking delight in representing the organization in multiple campus, social and business contexts.
- Ability to derive deep satisfaction from facilitating the best work of others.
- A desire to be part of the Atlanta community.
Salary & Benefits
The position will be filled at the earliest opportunity, with an anticipated decision by winter 2008-09 and
the successful candidate onsite as soon as possible thereafter. The decision will be accomplished by an eight member search committee populated by key
GA Tech staff, faculty, students and board members. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and institutions similar in size and scope to the Ferst Center. A very comprehensive benefits package from the University System of Georgia is included with this appointment. Please see the web site for specific details:
www.ohr.gatech.edu/content.asp?pagetitle=Benefits
Procedure for Application
Interested candidates are invited to submit resume, salary requirements, names and contact information for a minimum of three references and a brief cover letter describing interest, relevant qualifications and experience to the executive search firm retained by the University to manage this search. Recommendations of qualified candidates are also welcome.
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