VACANCY: FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Meraki dance festival 2027
Jazzart Dance Theatre | Cape Town
Festival Dates: 24 February - 6 March 2027
Appointment: Festival-based / Fixed term
SHAPE THE NEXT CHAPTER OF MERAKI
Jazzart Dance Theatre is seeking an experienced, visionary and passionate Festival Director to lead the third edition of the Meraki Dance Festival in 2027.
Launched in 2025, Meraki is a growing platform celebrating dance in all its forms, bringing together professional artists, emerging choreographers, companies, young people and communities through performance, artistic development, education and exchange.
Meraki means to do something with soul, creativity and love; to leave a piece of yourself and your essence in your work.
Following the growth of the 2026 edition, Meraki 2027 will build on this foundation, expanding opportunities for artists and audiences and strengthening the festival's place within South Africa's dance and cultural landscape.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Festival Director will provide the artistic, strategic and leadership direction for Meraki, working closely with Jazzart Dance Theatre, artists, partners, funders, venues and the wider dance community.
The Director will:
Shape and curate an ambitious festival celebrating dance in all its forms.
Build strong relationships with artists, companies, cultural organisations,
communities and strategic partners.Support artistic development, new work, collaboration and exchange.
Develop audiences and strengthen engagement with young people and
communities.Lead the planning and delivery of a high-quality, sustainable festival.
Identify opportunities for partnerships, fundraising, sponsorship and future
growth.Build Meraki's profile and long-term position as a significant platform for dance
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for a senior arts professional with:
Proven experience in festival direction, arts leadership, producing, dance or performing arts management.
Strong knowledge of the South African dance and cultural landscape.
Excellent artistic, curatorial, organisational and leadership skills.
Experience developing partnerships and working with diverse artists and communities.
Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
An entrepreneurial approach to audience development, fundraising and sustainability.
A genuine passion for dance and its power to connect people.
Above all, we are looking for someone who can see what Meraki can become - and has the vision, experience and imagination to make it happen.
JOIN US
Jazzart Dance Theatre brings more than five decades of artistic excellence, education and community engagement to this growing festival.
Apply with: Cover letter, CV, three-year vision statement and two contactable references.
Applications: dance@jazzart.co.za