The Academy of Music in Northampton, MA invites applications for the position of Executive Director.

About the Academy of Music
The Academy of Music (“The Academy”) is a historic, municipally owned nonprofit theater located in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1891 and gifted to the citizens of Northampton just one year later, the theater is celebrated for its elegant design and rich, storied past. The Academy offers a unique platform for local, regional, and national performing artists, presenting music, theater, dance, musical theater, film, and community events in a theater of national significance. Guided by a mission to engage a broad and diverse audience, the Academy encourages artistic, educational, social, and professional uses of its historic stage while remaining deeply rooted in community access and outreach.

With an annual operating budget of just over $1 million, the Academy plays a significant economic and cultural role in Northampton as one of downtown’s leading visitor destinations, drawing patrons to the city’s vibrant arts scene and local businesses. Governed by a ten-member Board of Trustees, with the Mayor of Northampton serving ex officio and the President of Smith College as an honorary board member, the Academy is entering a leadership transition following nearly two decades of dedicated executive leadership. Recent Leadership Transition and Strategic Plans, developed with support from the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative, have ensured the Academy is well-positioned and thoughtfully prepared for this next chapter. For more information, please visit the Academy’s website.

The Opportunity
The Academy of Music is seeking a mission-driven Executive Director to lead a beloved cultural institution at a pivotal moment in its evolution. For nearly two decades, the Academy has benefited from dedicated leadership that restored and strengthened this historic theater and positioned it as a cultural anchor for Northampton and the Pioneer Valley. With a strong foundation in place, the next Executive Director will inherit a vibrant venue, a committed staff, and a community that deeply values the arts.

This role offers the opportunity to steward a nationally significant historic theater while guiding the Academy’s continued growth and relevance. The next Executive Director will be welcomed into an environment open to fresh ideas, collaborative leadership, and thoughtful evolution—balancing artistic excellence, community engagement, and financial sustainability while shaping a future vision rooted in both tradition and possibility.

To apply: The Academy has engaged LJN Advisory LLC to partner with them in hiring for this important role. Please email a cover letter and resume by February 27 to LJN@lornajanenorris.com with “Academy of Music – ED Application” in the subject line. Attach your cover letter and resume as separate PDF files, and include your last name in each file name. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission and values of the Academy and to the responsibilities and qualifications laid out in the full position profile. We will begin reviewing applications right away and encourage candidates to apply early. Each application will be acknowledged and given careful attention.

What We’re Looking For
The ideal Executive Director will be a trusted, collaborative leader and visible community presence who embraces the Academy’s mission, history, and civic role. They will bring a blend of artistic literacy, nonprofit management experience, financial acumen, and enthusiasm for working in partnership with staff, board members, artists, donors, and municipal and community stakeholders.

The position is a permanent, full-time, onsite role with a starting salary of $120,000, paid vacation and accrued sick time, partial medical and dental benefits, and access to a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions subject to vesting. The desired start date is July 1, 2026.

Please click here to download a PDF of the full position profile or visit aomtheatre.com