Associate Programmer, Music

Position Title: Associate Programmer, Music 

Position Type: Full-Time 

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Division: Momentary

Department: Music

Reports to: Programmer, Music

Compensation Range: $48,399 - $62,189

About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

Position Summary:

The Associate Programmer, Music is an integral member of the Crystal Bridges and Momentary Music team who support the creative and logistical execution of music programming across Crystal Bridges and the Momentary. This role works closely with other members of the Music team to help research, plan, and produce a wide range of concerts, festivals, residencies, and other programs.

This is a hands-on position for someone passionate about live music and innovative programming. A strong interest in and experience with concert programming is required. The ideal candidate will have exceptional organizational and communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and a drive to perform independently as well as within a team structure.

The Associate Programmer, Music regularly performs administrative tasks that are complex in nature and require considerable confidentiality. Any candidate must show consistent professionalism and exceptional levels of discretion. The ideal candidate will also be approachable, proactive, and able to organize and balance multiple tasks. Regularly, this role will require working across overlapping timelines and ensuring all external and inter-departmental communications are clear, timely, and documented. 

Reporting to and working with the Programmer, Music, the Associate Programmer, Music will assist in budgeting, contracting, and reporting on the year’s music season. They will work closely with the other members of the broader team including Production, Operations, Guest Services, Brand Strategy and Communications, Special Events and other colleagues within Crystal Bridges and the Momentary to present inclusive, high-quality, and profitable music experiences that connect with a broad audience base.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Actively developing content for the ongoing program of concerts, performances, festivals, artist residencies, and special projects, both independently and in support of the Programmer, Music. 
  • Supporting the Programmer, Music in maintaining program calendars, artist communications, and internal planning documents.
  • Conducting research on artists, audience trends, and the regional music scene to inform programmatic decision-making.

• Building and maintaining strong, respectful relationships with artists, agents, and community partners.
• Leading or supporting negotiations with agents and artist representatives to secure talent at rates that align with the organization’s budget and goals.
• Reviewing and interpreting artist contracts and deal memos to ensure terms accurately reflect negotiated offers.

Assisting with the development and oversight of the Music team’s operational budgets at both Crystal Bridges and the Momentary.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Answering inquiries in a prompt, professional manner.
  • Ensuring all inter-departmental communications are clear, timely, helpful, and documented.
  • Occasionally presenting at staff meetings to brief staff and volunteers on program details.
• Providing suggestions to improve processes.
• Keeping supervisor informed as to any issues or changes in project scope.
• Nudging colleagues as needed to keep projects on track.
• Keeping projects on or under budget.
  • Fostering team creativity, collegiality, timeliness, and mutual respect, to create experiences that engage and delight guests.

• Generating collaborative solutions when challenges arise.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

Education, Training, and Traits: 

• Experience and strong interest in concert programming, preferably with experience in programming a wide array of genres.
• Proven experience and success in project coordination and in meeting deadlines within fast-paced working environments. 
• Experience creating accurate concert budgets and P/L spreadsheets.
• Ability to work independently, as well as within a team.
• Ability to maintain the highest ethics and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and discretion.

Work Experience:

• Minimum two years’ work experience in a music environment, with minimum one years’ concert programming experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Highly organized and detail oriented 
• Professional and approachable, with excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to work independently, and facilitate teams of diverse personalities 
• Willingness to work weekends and evenings, and adjust hours, as required 
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Self-directed, ability to anticipate actions needed. Ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet demanding deadlines. 
• Successful experience monitoring budgets. 

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications: Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

• Demonstrated knowledge of current practices in concert programming, including an understanding of artist fee structures across a range of venue sizes and event types.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands:  Occasionally, while performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to travel independently regionally and in communities served. In the work environment described below, position requires working at a desk and utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time and good eye/hand coordination. Vision abilities required by the job include close and distant vision. The person in this position will require the capability to move and be present onsite for extended periods of time during all phases of bump in, tech, rehearsal, presentation and bump out, and be able to navigate through the different Museum buildings and on the trails and grounds. When working in public spaces and performing arts venues, physical stamina is needed to lift and carry supplies, and at times, assist with other presentation related elements. Unimpaired hearing is required for this job. 
• Work Environment:  Work will be performed in an office environment, performance venues, museum spaces, and outdoors. When not in the office, the employee will be spending extensive amounts of time in the Museum buildings, grounds, and performance spaces. The noise level in the Museum work environment is usually low to moderate. Outdoor work will include walking the museum’s trails in a variety of weather conditions, and occasionally at night.  

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.