Head of School

4 weeks ago

Chicago, Illinois, United States Chicago Academy for the Arts Full time

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 fund-raising 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
or to

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