APAP Career Center

FirstWorks is a Providence-based non-profit arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of our community by engaging audiences with world-class performing arts and education programs in Rhode Island.

The Program Director provides strategic and hands-on leadership for the development, curation, and production of the FirstWorks season, including PVDFest. Reporting to the Managing Director and collaborating closely with the Executive Artistic Director, the Program Director serves as a producer and project manager for all public programs—shaping a season that is artistically ambitious, operationally sound, and rooted in community and collaboration.

This position requires a creative leader who can balance curatorial vision with detailed execution, ensuring programs foster dialogue, inclusivity, and cross-sector partnerships.

This is a full-time position in Providence, RI currently operating under a hybrid model requiring in-office work an average of 3 days a week, with additional evening and weekend times to support public programs.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development & Curation

• Partner with the Executive Artistic Director to research, identify, and curate artists and projects that reflect FirstWorks’ mission and values.
• Lead the planning and implementation of PVDFest, coordinating with the Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, production staff, artists, and community partners.
• Cultivate and sustain relationships with national/international artists, agents, cultural organizations, and local artists and community stakeholders to develop collaborative programming.
• Create programs that highlight local artists and partnerships with local community organizations.
• Negotiate and execute venue contracts and artist contracts
• Manage all artist bookings and maintain 1-2 year calendar.
• Track program budgets, monitor expenses, submit invoices for payment, archive files for historical data tracking and provide regular financial updates.
• Provide content for grants, reports, and board presentations.
• Represent FirstWorks at various events, conferences, industry gatherings, etc.

Production & Operations

• Serve as producer for all FirstWorks events, from concept to financial reconciliation.
• Lead technical and production meetings; create detailed production schedules, day-of-show run sheets, and advance sheets.
• Secure venues and oversee all production logistics, including technical riders, hospitality, transportation, permits, and front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
• Manage on-site operations for PVDFest and season events, ensuring safety, quality, and exceptional audience experience.
• Supervise production staff, tech crews; supervise and train and seasonal hires for PVDFest; delegate tasks and monitor progress in Asana.

Marketing and Development

• Provide timely program and artist information to the marketing and development teams for grants, sponsorships, press materials, and promotional campaigns.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Manager to coordinate artist promotional appearances.
• Contribute to sponsorship proposals and attend sponsor meetings or community presentations as requested.
• Maintain familiarity with FirstWorks’ Strategic Plan and actively participate in organizational planning and evaluation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in performing arts programming, production management, or festival/event leadership.
• Knowledge of contemporary performing arts across multiple disciplines.
• Proven experience negotiating and managing artist contracts, tech riders, and production budgets.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple complex projects on tight deadlines.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills; ability to represent FirstWorks to diverse partners and audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Google Workspace, and Asana
• Availability for evening and weekend work as required by event schedules.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Values Statement 

Our organization values a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We welcome applications from individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. We believe that a wide range of voices enriches our work and strengthens our connection with the communities we serve. 

About FirstWorks

FirstWorks brings exceptional world-class performing arts experiences to Rhode Island, impacting the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of the community. Launched in 2004, as a turn-around of First Night Providence, FirstWorks has since produced 23 groundbreaking arts festivals and programs that attracted more than 175,000 participants, and presented over 60 premiere performances.FirstWorks has offered Rhode Islanders unprecedented access to some of the most exciting artists of this time, including Yo-Yo Ma & the Silk Road Ensemble, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Wynton Marsalis, Joffrey Ballet, and international masters from the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Europe.The FirstWorks Arts Learning Program works with over 30 public and charter schools across Rhode Island to provide students, particularly those from underserved communities, direct connection with world-class performing artists and creative thinkers.The “festival’ concept is built into every FirstWorks performance, from pre-show student showcases, artist-up-close conversations, and other ways to engage the audience and build a sense of community.

Connections working at FirstWorks