The Grant Park Music Festival (the Festival) in Chicago, Illinois seeks two (2) full-time Artistic Assistants for the 2023 summer season. The Festival’s Artistic Assistants serve as the primary artistic liaisons for our amazing lineup of guest artists. 2023 guest artists include pianists Michelle Cann, Stewart Goodyear, Stephen Hough and Joyce Yang; violinists Augustin Hadelich, Stefan Jackiw, Tai Murray and Esther Yoo; cellist Zlatomir Fung; and conductors David Danzmayr, Kevin John Edusei, Eric Jacobsen, Ken David Masur, Ludovic Morlot, Gemma New, Valentina Peleggi, and Jordan de Souza, among others.

The Artistic Assistants will join our hard-working, collaborative team of 15 year-round staff who are dedicated to bringing Chicagoans together to experience symphonic music outdoors in one of the world’s most magnificent urban settings, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The Festival team is deeply committed to serving the people of Chicago through our mission of enriching lives through the power of music. 

The Artistic Assistant role provides excellent training in orchestra operations, artistic administration, personnel management, and production; previous artistic assistants have gone on to work for some of the nation’s finest orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and more. Ideal candidates will be passionate about classical music and have an interest in arts administration. We seek hard workers and detail-oriented, passionate problem solvers dedicated to providing the best service to Festival patrons, musicians, guest artists, and co-workers.

KEY DUTIES

• Assist in the arrangement of guest artist travel, transport, accommodations and hospitality
• Assist in the coordination of rehearsal, performance, and special event logistics
• Assist with various guest artist, musician, and artistic leadership needs
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to read orchestral scores; proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and basic computer tasks.
• Preference is given to candidates with experience as an orchestral or choral musician or those who have previously worked for a performing arts organization.
• Ability to shift/transport up to 40 lbs; ability to work outdoors at times and possibly in inclement weather.
• Must be available to work assigned schedule June 5 through August 19, 2023 without interruption (schedule generally provides for two days off per week).

COMPENSATION/SCHEDULE

• $16.00/hour; up to 40 hours per week. This position is non-exempt. Nights and weekends are required (generally Wednesday, Friday and Saturday); some overtime is expected.
• Position Start Date: Late May/early June (specific start date to be determined by mutual agreement)

MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINE POLICY

The Grant Park Orchestral Association (the Association) has implemented a policy requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This policy is consistent with our duty to maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, to eliminate any direct threats to the health or safety of individuals in the workplace, and to safeguard the health of our staff, musicians, patrons, and the community at large. This policy will comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and is based on guidance from Chicago Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
Those seeking an exemption from this requirement for medical or religious reasons should complete a request for accommodation form here and submit to Hannah Lehman, Chief Financial Officer (hannah.lehman [at] gpmf.org).

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
For more than 88 years, the Grant Park Music Festival has been Chicago's summer musical sensation, demonstrating that classical music performed by a world-class orchestra and chorus can have a transformative impact on the city. Showcased in the city's most spectacular setting, the Festival continues to be the summer gathering place for all of Chicago. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is the official home of the Grant Park Music Festival, with free seats available for every concert.

The Festival strives to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our city and the audiences we serve. People of all backgrounds and experiences, and especially those that have been historically underrepresented in the field, are encouraged to apply for open positions at the Festival. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other classification protected by law.

The Festival is led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar, along with Grant Park Chorus Director Christopher Bell, Grant Park Orchestral Association President and CEO Paul Winberg, and Board Chair Adam Grais.

For more information on the Grant Park Music Festival, please visit our website: gpmf.org.