BAM seeks a visionary, deeply connected Director of Public Programming to lead the production and curatorial development of public-facing events that complement and extend BAM's mainstage season. This curator will conceive, develop, and execute a robust portfolio of programs — including artist conversations, symposia, community events, interdisciplinary series, and special commissions — that deepen audience engagement and position BAM as a site for civic and intellectual discourse. The Director will work collaboratively across departments to ensure that public programming reflects BAM's artistic values and serves the full breadth of its audiences.

**ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  **

Curation

• Develop and oversee an annual calendar of public programming in alignment with BAM's institutional mission, artistic season, and strategic priorities
• Commission and produce original programs, including artist talks, panels, reading groups, marketplaces, civic engagements, pop-up performances, and cross-disciplinary collaborations
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with artists, scholars, curators, activists, public officials, and cultural leaders locally, nationally, and internationally
• Identify emerging voices and underrepresented perspectives for inclusion in BAM's public programming ecosyste
Programming Operations

• Works with Programming Operations to manage public programs, from concept through execution, including budgeting, scheduling, technical requirements, staffing, and post-event evaluation
• Collaborate with the production team to ensure all events meet BAM's production standards
• Oversee vendor and contractor relationships related to public programming in collaboration with General Management
• Develop and manage the public programming budget responsibly and with accountability in collaboration with General Management
Collaboration & Partnership

• Partner closely with the Marketing, Communications, and Education departments to promote programs and integrate them into BAM's broader community engagement strategy
• Build and sustain partnerships with universities, cultural institutions, civic organizations, and community groups
• Work with the Development team to support fundraising efforts related to public programming, including grant reporting and funder stewardship
Leadership & Management

• Supervise, mentor, and support a team of programming coordinators and production staff when applicable
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative working environment consistent with BAM's values
• Contribute to institutional planning conversations as a member of the programming team

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in arts programming, producing, or curation, with a significant portion in a leadership role
• Deep knowledge of and passion for the performing arts, with familiarity across disciplines
• Demonstrated experience producing live events of varying scale and format
• Strong existing relationships within the New York arts community and broader national/international networks
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under deadline
• Experience managing budgets and working within financial constraints creatively
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and access
• Fluency in a language other than English is a plus