Careers & Volunteers
Executive Director
Description:
The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts (MCA), a vibrant, multidisciplinary arts center, seeks a visionary and entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead a skilled staff to drive the Center’s growth as a significant cultural force in the greater Boston area.
History: Mosesian Center for the Arts and its Surroundings
Since its opening in 2005, MCA has inspired artists, students, and audiences to create, appreciate, participate in, and grow through the arts. MCA cultivates a close engagement of diverse communities in the performing, visual, and literary arts.
MCA is a 30,000 square foot performing and visual arts venue located in an historic 1894 manufacturing shop on a former U.S. Army arsenal. It houses a 339-seat main stage theater, a flexible black box theater, exhibition galleries, art classrooms, a rehearsal studio, meeting spaces, and a café-bar. MCA is located in Watertown, MA on the dynamic Arsenal Street corridor, six miles from downtown Boston, and is easily accessible from surrounding suburbs and MetroWest.
MCA Programming
Programming includes professional and community theater, live music, comedy, gallery exhibitions, literary and art discussions, and performing and visual arts classes and workshops for all ages. MCA’s producing children’s theater program, Watertown Children’s Theatre, provides exceptional productions and theater training programs. The venue also hosts celebrated and cutting-edge performing arts companies from throughout the Greater Boston region and New England, and is home to the Actors’ Shakespeare Project.
Key Opportunities and Challenges for the Executive Director
Grow MCA audiences and programs: MCA, like many arts organizations, is still recovering from the impact of COVID. We are carefully budgeting to maintain and build programming and grow our audiences. The Executive Director will lead the effort to cultivate new partnerships, identify new audiences, and expand programming.
Expand audience reach: The Executive Director will grow and diversify MCA’s audience by cultivating programs that draw on artistic traditions and interests from all sections of the community and by supporting MCA’s participation in community and region-wide arts networks to develop opportunities for new programs and collaborations.
Lead multifaceted organization:MCA has many disciplines and types of programming for people of all ages. These include performing, visual, and literary arts as well as exhibitions and performances, adult and youth programming, and resident theater companies. Each of these components has its own community that may include staff, volunteers, donors, participants, alumni, audiences, and families. The Executive Director will integrate the multiple MCA communities to strengthen the organization.
Provide responsible fiscal management:The Executive Director will manage all aspects of the MCA’s $1.3M annual budget, including earned and contributed income. This includes monitoring the P&L statement, collaborating with departments on the budget, and effectively communicating the financial status to the staff to ensure they understand the finances of the organization.
Lead fundraising and contributed income:The Executive Director will lead annual fundraising efforts, which currently include the annual appeal, annual benefit, and sponsorship opportunities. The Executive Director will identify and cultivate new sources of contributed income through expanded donor base and grants.
Work with Board of Directors: The Executive Director reports to the Board and works closely with them to establish annual goals based on the parameters of the fiscal year budget. This includes maintaining and improving MCA’s physical and technology infrastructure, renovating and upgrading MCA’s facilities, strengthening the brand of MCA through expanded marketing initiatives, improving diversity and inclusion, and continuing the high quality and breadth of MCA’s programming.
Support the knowledgeable and talented staff: The Executive Director will manage eight core staff and a large number of contract workers, and will continue to develop the talent and capabilities of the multidisciplinary MCA staff through effective communication and transparency. The Executive Director will encourage staff collaboration and coordination to provide a unified experience for MCA.
Cultivate strategic relationships: The Executive Director will identify and develop relationships with strategic partners in line with the mission of MCA. The Executive Director will reach out to local businesses, community organizations, and surrounding communities to promote MCA opportunities. The Executive Director will stay connected to the City of Watertown, from which MCA has a sub-lease for its building.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will possess many of these professional and personal qualities, experiences, and skills:
· Passion for the arts
· Demonstrated ability to lead a multi-disciplinary arts organization
· Minimum 10 years management experience including 5+years in a leadership role within the nonprofit sector
· Proven track record in fundraising
· Experience with grant writing
· Established professional and development networks
· Skilled experience with budgeting and P&L statement
· Excellent organizational skills
· Exemplary interpersonal skills; articulate and at ease with others
· Strong verbal and written communication skills
· Commitment to group process and transparency with board and staff
· Ability to inspire and lead while entrusting staff to manage day-to-day responsibilities
· Vision and desire to bring innovative programming to the center
How To Apply:
Send resume and cover letter to Shaunna Harrington at shaunnaharrington@mosesianarts.org.
Apply by:
March 25, 2025
Salary:
$90,000 - $100,000 / Per year
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Front of House Staff
Mosesian Center for the Arts at the Arsenal in Watertown has the following Front of House positions available. Shifts are primarily nights and weekends, with occasional matinee shifts and special events available. Candidates who can begin immediately are especially sought.
To apply for either or both positions, contact Director of Theater Operations and Facilities, Gordon McFarland, at gordonmcfarland@mosesianarts.org.
Patron Services Associate
Schedule: Part-time, Seasonal
Hourly Rate: $18
Patron Services Associates work at events in our several performance spaces: the 339-seat main stage, the flexible-seating black box, our rehearsal hall, and in the lobby.
Patron Services Associates serve in the roles of Box Office and House Management staff, with a team of two associates scheduled for each performance or event. As Box Office staff, Associates are responsible for:
- Printing and selling tickets
- Printing attendance lists
- Answering audience questions about performances and the arts center generally
As House Managers, Associates are responsible for working with Box Office staff and Stage Management to coordinate:
- Training volunteer ushers on their assigned duties
- Ensuring ticket scanners and programs are ready at the doors
- Opening the house
- A smooth walk-in, and dealing with seating issues as they arise
- Assisting patrons with access needs
- Late seating
- Keeping intermission on schedule
- Post-show events
- Closing the lobby
- During emergencies, ensuring that patrons are safely evacuated if needed, and directing emergency personnel to the issue
- Filling out nightly reports detailing the events of the day
When other events overlap, House Managers will work with the other Patron Services Associates to ensure smooth interaction between the events.
Qualifications:
- Availability nights and weekends
- Crowd Manager Certification (free online course)
- Background check required
- Excellent communications and customer service skills
- Friendly, interested in the arts a plus!
Concessions Bartender
Schedule: Part-time, Seasonal
Hourly Rate: $15 plus tips
Mosesian Arts bartenders serve at public and private events in the MBar, our concessions stand serving beer, wine, pre-mixed cocktails, soft drinks, and snacks. No mixed drinks, only pour and serve.
Interest in the arts is a huge plus, as we hope that this person will be engaged in the programming that we provide, and able to answer questions that patrons have about the arts center.
Qualifications:
- Availability nights and weekends
- TIPS Certification or ServSafe Alcohol Certification
- Background check required
- Previous serving experience requested but not required for candidates with customer service background
- Familiarity with Square POS is a plus
- 18+
- Friendly, interested in the arts a plus!
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Overhire Production Staff
Mosesian Center for the Arts frequently seeks overhire staff for various production positions. Inquires and resumes are kept on file and added to our call list for work as needed. Positions will vary in level of experience required and length of time commitment. Some positions do not require previous theatrical experience, and transferable skills are welcome. Salaries/compensation vary from a $20/hour minimum to higher levels for more experience and specialized skills.
Positions Sought
- A1 (Audio Engineers) to operate and maintain sound equipment and collaborate with in-house production staff and visiting productions
- Lighting Designers to collaborate with in-house production staff and visiting productions
- Master Electricians to collaborate with in-house production staff and visiting productions
- Master Carpenters to collaborate with in-house children’s theater production staff
- Stage Crew to assist in all aspects of stage and facilities operation
Applications and Inquiries
Please submit a letter or email of interest with resume to the Director of Theater Operations and Facilities at gordonmcfarland@mosesianarts.org.
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Teaching Artists
As our arts education programming grows, Mosesian Center for the Arts often seeks additional Teaching Artists for Fall, Winter, and Spring terms and for Stages & Studios programs in the Summer and during February and April vacation weeks.
Qualifications
- Prior experience teaching elementary school students
- Interest in teaching participants of all skill and experience levels
- Passion for the arts and developing arts curriculum/programming
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Punctuality, reliability, and flexibility
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with Youth Education Director
- Reliable transportation to the Mosesian Arts
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Teaching Assistant Positions
The teaching assistant program provides mentorship in developing professional skills relating to various aspects of arts education and administration specific to each person’s interests. This is a pre-professional or early-career opportunity. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Please note that experience working with children is required for this position. Interested applicants should send a completed resumé and cover letter to education@mosesianarts.org.
Please note that experience working with children is required for arts education positions. Interested applicants should send a completed resumé and cover letter to education@mosesianarts.org.
MCA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
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Internships
The internship program is an opportunity for students in grades 6-12 to grow as artists, educators, and leaders. Students will gain real-world experience in the arts and mentorship to best facilitate their growth. Interested students should complete an Internship Application Form. If you would like to send a resumé (optional) or you have any questions please email education@mosesianarts.org.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Our volunteer program connects community members to volunteer opportunities within the organization. Our volunteers contribute significantly to many areas of MCA including ushering for events, teaching assistance, event set-up and break-down, and other program and administrative support. It is a great way to give back to your community! To become a volunteer, please contact volunteer@mosesianarts.org.
