The Chicago Academy for the Arts is seeking to recruit a Head of School to start in June 2025.
The Academy is an independent, not-for-profit high school accredited by the Illinois Association of the Central States (ISACS) and recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
It is the premier performing and visual arts high school in the country, with programs in Dance, Media Arts, Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, and Visual Arts.
The Academy’s educational model is co-curricular. Students engage in rigorous college- preparatory for five hours each day before being immersed in 3-5 hours of professional training in their chosen field.
Students at The Academy are characterized by an extraordinary sense of purpose and community. Most continue with the arts after high school. Alumni include hit songwriters, Grammy Award winners, Broadway stars, internationally acclaimed dancers, and award-winning filmmakers and writers. Other students pursue degrees and careers outside of the arts. Many alums are working in the fields of science, mathematics, technology, business, law, and medicine.
The Academy is in the River West neighborhood of Chicago in a historic former parochial school owned by the neighboring church. It is called “home” by about 125 students, about half of whom commute daily from distant suburbs and even neighboring states.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
While there are no specific regulatory or accreditation requirements, candidates should have relevant master’s level preparation in education, the arts, or organizational leadership, such as an MBA or JD.
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
The Academy is a school, and the successful candidate should have sufficient experience in education to understand the unique challenges of being the Head of School. In addition, the Head of School must be a believer in the ethos of the independent school.
ARTS EXPERIENCE
The Chicago Academy for the Arts is firmly rooted in the arts world. Each student is working toward advanced education in their chosen specialty and fully expects to have a career in the arts. Further, the students and faculty are deeply entwined in the arts community of Chicago and beyond. The successful candidate should be sufficiently connected to the art world to be able to enhance these relationships and take their place as a leader in that world.
EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE
The Academy is a complex organization. The successful candidate must show evidence of successful leadership, preferably in organizations of comparable size and complexity.
ATTRIBUTES OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
A passionate, even charismatic personality.
The Head of School must be able to connect with people of all levels and engender support. Board, parents, donors, and especially faculty and students. A talent for inspiring interest in the school.
Communication skills.
Able to inspire and communicate complex ideas with calls to action tailored to the many audiences that are crucial to the success of the school.
Integrity and authenticity.
An ability to build strong relationships. Maintain a supportive presence with students, faculty, and staff. Genuine admiration and affection for students. No performance goes unheralded.
Management skills.
Financial literacy.
Media and publicity savvy. Comfortable with using digital forums as a communication and management tool.
Nimble and flexible.
An effective recruiter.
Ability to function in a constrained financial and physical environment.
A collaborative style. Willing to delegate and trust staff.
Analytic skills.
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Build on success.
This is not a tear-down and rebuild situation. The Academy is a successful institution. Its faculty are dedicated and committed. Its staff are effective and hard working. The students are astonishingly talented. The community culture is robust, but it faces challenges and needs to secure its future.
Managing current challenges
Nurture a stable and supportive environment during a time of deep and growing national and global division and conflict.
Cultivate relationships with key constituents in the arts, education, and philanthropic communities.
Navigate a rapidly evolving educational landscape.
Manage a rapidly changing workforce. (Fewer teachers entering the profession, rise of remote work.)
Providing leadership on longer-term strategic, financial, and operational issues.
The Academy currently has a five-year strategic and financial plan. Important elements include:
Growing enrollment by 50% or more to create financial stability, and to support the proper functioning of the individual arts departments.
Enhancing the already successful fundraising effort, to enable new and growing programs, and to finance capital needs.
Reviewing, evaluating, and enhancing school operations, and board support.
Considering relocation. As beloved as the building may be, it constrains many programs.
The Academy is an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Procedure for Application
Candidates may apply by sending their CV and cover letter in confidence to:
Alexander H. Williams
Chair of the Search Committee
By mail:
1010 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
or to