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Artistic director vs executive director

The differences between artistic directors and executive directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an artistic director, becoming an executive director takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an executive director has an average salary of $127,956, which is higher than the $72,755 average annual salary of an artistic director.

The top three skills for an artistic director include artistic vision, community outreach and non-profit organization. The most important skills for an executive director are oversight, patients, and customer service.

Artistic director vs executive director overview

Artistic DirectorExecutive Director
Yearly salary$72,755$127,956
Hourly rate$34.98$61.52
Growth rate4%-8%
Number of jobs7,01997,471
Job satisfaction-4.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4049
Years of experience64

Artistic director vs executive director salary

Artistic directors and executive directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Artistic DirectorExecutive Director
Average salary$72,755$127,956
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $143,000Between $76,000 And $213,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew York
Best paying companyBoston Public SchoolsGenentech
Best paying industryProfessionalFinance

Differences between artistic director and executive director education

There are a few differences between an artistic director and an executive director in terms of educational background:

Artistic DirectorExecutive Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorTheatreBusiness
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Artistic director vs executive director demographics

Here are the differences between artistic directors' and executive directors' demographics:

Artistic DirectorExecutive Director
Average age4049
Gender ratioMale, 48.3% Female, 51.7%Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 7.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%10%

Differences between artistic director and executive director duties and responsibilities

Artistic director example responsibilities.

  • Manage and develop the art & photography school programs along with maintaining the retail art gallery.
  • Manage content effectiveness, ROI, media orders, ad confirmations, production requests and discrepancy notices.
  • Choreograph and produce contemporary dances in NYC and Albany venues.
  • Recruit mid-career and establish artists to curate a collection for the gallery.
  • Plan and coordinate all competitions, public performances, venue, costumes, and ticketing.
  • Serve on ad hoc committee for creation and development of a new cabaret theater space.
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Executive director example responsibilities.

  • Manage 10 department heads who supervise a staff of 350 FTE's.
  • Develop and manage sales teams to assure the highest ROI on the client's investment.
  • Create and manage a call center for lead programs to support the prospecting activity needs of the FSR.
  • Freelance blogging to increase website views and ultimately to turn organic content into leads and ROI for small businesses.
  • Market and manage group and individual insurance programs including health, life, disability, long term care and annuities.
  • Major accomplishment are to achieve initial NAEYC accreditation.
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Artistic director vs executive director skills

Common artistic director skills
  • Artistic Vision, 21%
  • Community Outreach, 12%
  • Non-Profit Organization, 8%
  • Press Releases, 6%
  • Public Speaking, 6%
  • Costume Design, 4%
Common executive director skills
  • Oversight, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Financial Management, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • Home Health, 4%

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