Full-Time Director of Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AREDI)
Job Description
DIRECTOR OF ANTI-RACISM, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (AREDI)
The ability to gather and engage with perspectives other than our own is a privilege that we consider sacred. It is important that we acknowledge both the Indigenous land we occupy and the hands that built the country and city we call home.
We acknowledge that the Tongva (TONG-VAGH) native people are the Indigenous caretakers of the stolen land upon which our theatres stand, and that the United States was built at the expense of forcefully enslaved Black people.
Center Theatre Group is producing and amplifying more voices from Black artists, Indigenous artists, and other artists of color (BIPOC). We offer these acknowledgements with the intention to spark awareness and a desire to learn more about the history of the land we now call Los Angeles.
THE ROLE
Center Theatre Group (CTG) in Los Angeles, CA, seeks a leader to join a team of talented staff, artists, and board members in the role of Director of Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
ABOUT CENTER THEATRE GROUP
CTG’s Mission:
To serve the diverse audiences of Los Angeles by producing and presenting theatre of the highest caliber, by nurturing new artists, by attracting new audiences, and by developing youth outreach and arts education programs. This mission is based on a belief that the art of theatre is a cultural force with the capacity to transform the lives of individuals and society at large.
Who is Center Theatre Group?
CTG was founded in 1967 with the opening of the Ahmanson Theatre under the leadership of Founding Artistic Director Gordon Davidson, followed by the 16-year tenure of Artistic Director Michael Ritchie from 2005-2021. CTG has staged a wide variety of dramas, musicals, comedies, classics, and World premieres and has played host to a veritable cast of industry greats. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director/CEO Meghan Pressman, CTG’s core function is to produce and present a broad range of bold and engaging theatre for the public and support the theatrical community.
During the pandemic pause in operations, CTG responded to the industry’s call to address systemic inequities toward BIPOC communities by beginning a process of regular assessment, education, training, and change. CTG’s Commitments to Change were first posted in June 2020 and were followed by the formation of a permanent Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access (AREDI) committee by the board of directors, as well as ongoing communication regarding progress toward the goals.
Over the past year, CTG board and staff have completed a comprehensive Strategic Alignment Process that included outreach to over 800 artists, audiences, donors, and other stakeholders. It ensured that individuals were engaged in CTG’s future, and that everyone in the organization has an understanding of the purpose of the company and how the envisioned future will be achieved. The result of this work was a new articulation of CTG’s Company Values:
- Artistic Ambition – We create and present a broad range of outstanding live theatrical work that is bold, authentic, provocative, engaging, entertaining, and inspiring. We support artists working at the highest levels of their own experience and craft.
- Artistic Identity, Risk-Taking, and Innovation – The theatrical creative process is the center of our work. We collaborate with diverse, creative, and innovative artists, risk-takers, and boundary-breakers to bring great stories to life and create theatre magic.
- Centering Los Angeles – We are a civic institution anchored in the cultural vibrancy and rich diversity of Los Angeles, committing to represent the communities that make up our great city, country, and world by bringing theatre to our stages for Los Angeles audiences.
- Lifelong Learning, Inspiration, and Human Connection – We nurture a lifelong passion for theatre in our current and future generations. We center human connection through collaboration, inclusion, imagination, united in the power of storytelling.
- Respect, Compassion, Social Conscience, and AREDI – Guided by our social responsibility, we lead with respect and compassion. We create opportunities, cultivate relationships, and dismantle barriers using an anti-racist frame that strives to include marginalized, underrepresented, and excluded communities.
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY
The role of Director, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is central to the ongoing growth and success of Center Theatre Group (CTG). A senior position at the organization, the incumbent strengthens pluralism and inclusion within CTG and interfaces with all departments and functional areas to advance diversity and culture as a strategic and social imperative. CTG—one of the nation’s most influential nonprofit theatre companies, with an inspiring 55-year tradition of using the art of theatre to broaden horizons and illuminate new perspectives—is staunchly committed to addressing anti-racism (AR) while advancing in the area diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI), and looks forward to welcoming a true visionary to the role of Director of Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AREDI).
The new Director will be joining an organization that has been doubling down on its work in the area of anti-racism and EDI—among other markers of CTG’s Commitments to Change, AREDI leads have been established at the Board level, and at the staff level a number of committees and groups have been established including an Accountability Team, the BIPOC Staff Steering Committee, and various Affinity Spaces—and will be part of an environment where all who make up the CTG community both recognize and embrace their involvement in social accountability and manifesting noticeable and meaningful change.
Reporting to the Managing Director/CEO on overall strategic and operational matters and the Artistic Director on matters that relate to production, the incumbent—who has overarching responsibility for the promotion, development, and coordination of initiatives related to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusivity at CTG—has a deep and abiding commitment to tackling systemic issues affecting historically marginalized artists, makers, creators, employees, and the communities served by the organization all while further advancing culture and a sense of belonging for all who interact and interface with the organization; promotes a culture of respect, equity, and fairness; and delivers positive outcomes that permeate the organization, thereby elevating the identity, brand, and character of CTG.
ATTRIBUTES AND CANDIDATE PROFILE
While all candidates are encouraged to apply and, in so doing, share how they see themselves adding value to the Center Theatre Group environment, the following credentials and/or experiences—among others—are seen as possible markers of the candidates most likely to realize success in the role: A) a deep knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion matters, and the capacity to lead a large and complex organization in its mission to weave matters of EDI and an anti-racism ethos into the very fabric and identity of the institution; B) a true visionary—someone who is energized by the opportunity of being on the vanguard of change as regional theatres throughout America and further afield address the ways in which racism has been embedded within arts and culture for so many years; C) a self-starter with excellent organizational and planning skills, and the ability to manage and prioritize multiple and competing demands; D) management experience gained in a medium to large organization, and preferably within an arts, cultural, or public sector organization interfacing with a broad range of diverse stakeholders, and; E) although not a requirement, a post-secondary degree in a related discipline (ideally with a focus on equity studies, social justice, sociology, or public administration) may be an asset.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
CTG offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and accomplishments, as well as robust benefits. The base salary is expected to be around $150,000 and comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life, and AD&D insurances; flexible spending accounts, 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match, employee assistance program, and additional benefits.
How to Apply
Center Theatre Group is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CTG complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and members of underrepresented groups. To ensure an applicant list that is diverse and is as intersectional as possible, Center Theatre Group is partnering with BIPOC Executive Search for this recruitment process. All interested applicants can send their résumé to Urmilla Khan by e-mailing ukhan@bipocsearch.com, or can apply through the BIPOC Executive Search mobile app. We thank everyone for their expression of interest—and are truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying—but with the limitations of time only those selected for an interview will be contacted.189 total views, 0 today