Expanded Leadership for The Industry: An Artistic Director Collective

Today we are excited to announce an expansion of The Industry’s artistic voice: We are beginning a search for two additional Artistic Directors to work with our founder, Yuval Sharon, to lead the organization as a collective.

For the past 10 years, The Industry has earned a reputation for being one of the country’s most innovative organizations. Under the artistic leadership of founding Artistic Director Yuval Sharon, we have created boundary-breaking performances that have changed the face of opera and become part of LA’s identity.

Building on this legacy, The Industry begins its next chapter with a new vision for artistic leadership: an Artistic Director Collective. Yuval will remain one of three Artistic Directors beginning in 2021.

Executive Director Elizabeth Cline states, “In this new direction, with fresh ideas and increased programming, we hope to be at the center of rebuilding and supporting the entire performing arts ecosystem, from artists to stage managers to audiences. And it will be in the only way we know how: through artist-centric, risk-taking experiments.”

HOW IT WILL WORK

Currently, The Industry’s artistic programming consists of presenting one major production every other year, with the occasional smaller-scaled program in-between. In this next chapter, The Industry’s artistic programming will offer consistent and regular programming throughout the year. Each Artistic Director will develop their own programming, and there is flexibility for how this may work by alternating calendar years. We expect ADs to create at least one project during their term. Our goal is to offer one large-scale production and up to three smaller events per year. 

THE SEARCH

Our Nomination & Selection Committee comprises staff, Company Members, Board Members, and external advisors. Leading the search and selection process, the Committee will reach out to individuals from the interdisciplinary art community to solicit nominations. We hope to announce two new Artistic Directors in mid 2021.

FAQS ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE

Q: What does this mean for The Industry’s programming and productions?

A: Having multiple artistic voices doesn’t just mean diversifying and expanding our leadership; it also means creating more projects. Each Artistic Director will develop one project during their three-year term — but our audience will have the opportunity to experience a new production every year going forward.

Q: Will all three Artistic Directors be equally valued, or will there be a hierarchy, with Yuval as the founder and lead Artistic Director?

A: The three Artistic Directors will be equal; there will be no hierarchy. All three Artistic Directors, working closely with Elizabeth, will develop interdependent projects that contribute to the artistic voice of the entire company.

Q: What are the qualities you are looking for in artistic directors?

A: We are looking for a unique point of view in creating interdisciplinary and collaborative performance experiences. The key qualities in their work are experimentation and risk-taking. The ideal candidates are interested in developing new forms of performance, civic engagement, and institution building.

Q: How can I recommend someone?

A: Write to jobs@theindustryla.org with the subject line Artistic Director Nomination. Please include the name of the nominee and your contact information. Nominations are due by December 1, 2020.

Photo by Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx for The Industry