Artistic Director at Ibom International Arts and Book Festival

The Artistic Director is an avid reader, a creative writer, and a lover of arts and culture with current knowledge and active engagement with industry trends and market news in Nigeria, and internationally (a plus). The right candidate would be highly skilled in arts and cultural content development (writing is a critical required skill for this role), arts and cultural grant research and writing, and literary event programming development and management.

Literary and Arts Programming for Ibom International Arts and Book Festival (IIABF)

• Oversee the overall planning, managing, and implementing of the festival's programming.
• Develop and implement IIABF's literary and art programs in Uyo city, regardless of your current location. This role requires 50% travel engagements between Lagos, Uyo, and Portharcourt, and outside Nigeria, if and when required, hence we strongly prefer experienced candidates living in any of these three cities.
• Curate and together with the festival's team, schedule the annual Festival author and artist's lineup, developing relevant and engaging topics and panels, performing events, and exhibitions, including other festival's side events.
• Work closely with publishers to feature the year’s most compelling books at Festival events.
• Work with selection committees and organizational partners to create engaging programming that will appeal to a wide range of audiences.
• Oversee the master grid of author and artist invitations, submissions, declines, and rejections.
• Oversee Festival author and artist's schedule information, ensuring lineup and schedule information is published by the target deadline.
• Oversee fundraising, including grant writing and identification of new sponsorship relations to achieve the festival's annual budget.
• Build and maintain relationships with sponsors and partners.
• Manage Festival's volunteers' onboarding and assignments.
• Work with Schools, Industry Partners, and appropriate government departments to align and coordinate the festival's implementation and management.
• Work with the Development team to create programming that meets development goals.
• Work with the Festival team to arrange guests' itineraries, arrivals, departures, and hospitality.
• Produce literary program reports for Festival Director and Executive Director and Board as needed.
• Work with Finance and Festival Director to manage the programming budget, continually striving to improve efficiency and cost savings.
• Curate Festival events lineup.
• Other Festival Programming Need as required.

Other Initiatives Grant-Writing and Management

• Research, Identify, and Write Grant applications for international art and writing initiatives.
• Manage grant database with updated status/information.
• Represent the two initiatives in required meetings and events as required.
• Other required assigned duties.

Communications and Curatorial Resource (Content) Development

• Produce literary and arts content for websites, emails, website, press releases, ads, and promotional materials, including social media platforms, interviews, and lit events calendar.
• Using critical PR strategy, improve the festival’s profile and build support with the literary and arts community in Nigeria.

EXPECTATIONS

• Actively participate in and contribute to the organization’s long-term strategic goals and success.
• Actively contribute to a positive, professional, and respectful work environment. Support festival team members when they need help.
• Embrace the all-in commitment required to make the annual Festival a success and understand that evening and weekend work will be expected in the weeks leading up to the Festival and for some outreach and special events. Flexible hours and generous time off in the off-season are provided in recognition of extra work time needed for the Festival.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or graduate studies in a relevant field preferred.
• 2-3 years of relevant work experience, including writing, curating, planning, and executing literary and/or arts programming and events.
• Experience with event-planning management on a large scale.
• Experience with arts and literary grant research and writing.
• Enthusiasm and passion for literature and literacy, including the arts.
• Knowledge and experience in the publishing and arts industry, including curiosity about contemporary trends in publishing and arts.
• Knowledge of the Lagos and/or South South literary community a plus
• Experience in recruiting, motivating, and managing volunteers
• Excellent communications skills (oral, written, and presentation)
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Attention to detail is critical for this position
• Strong technological aptitude. Familiarity with and flexibility across platforms and operating systems is expected.
• Media and public relations skills.
• Ability to think creatively to problem solve and promote the Festival.
• Dedication and enthusiasm for fulfilling the Festival mission.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when needed.
• Some travel is required.