artistic director

American  

noun

1. a person who is responsible for the administration of a theater or ballet company, opera house, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of artistic director

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

He was a theater and English major at Grinnell and widely considered a star; his mentor at the college thought he’d become an artistic director of a theater or perhaps a theater professor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

With Gustavo Dudamel’s final season as music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic reaching its homestretch, the orchestra has announced the appointment of its latest not music director.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

As an artistic director, Desai said, he always encourages visitors: “Join us all season, versus just coming for the things you like,” and maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

“We had soft holds on the venues,” says Francesca Zambello, the company’s artistic director.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

On the eve of Good Boys’ world premiere at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre in 2007, the company’s artistic director, Martha Lavey, commented on the play’s focus on class.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove