Vice President—General Manager

Organization

The McCallum Theatre (the McCallum), operated by Friends of the Cultural Center, Inc., is a premier performing arts institution dedicated to entertaining, educating, and enriching the Coachella Valley through world class performances and transformative arts education. Rooted in the belief that the performing arts foster connection, creativity, and community vitality, the McCallum serves as both a cultural anchor and an artistic catalyst for the region.

Located in Palm Desert, California, the McCallum was established in 1988 through a visionary public-private partnership among the City of Palm Desert, the Desert Community College District, and the Friends of the Cultural Center, Inc. Its 1,127 seat venue, designed with state of the art acoustics and technical capabilities, has earned a reputation as one of Southern California’s most distinguished performance spaces, welcoming artists and audiences from across the country and around the world.

Education and community engagement are central to the McCallum’s mission. Through its award winning McCallum Theatre Education program, the organization serves more than 40,000 students, educators, and community members each year. Classroom residencies, student matinees, teacher professional development, and deep partnerships with schools and community organizations bring the arts directly into learning environments, expanding access and nurturing creativity, confidence, and academic growth among young people.

This commitment to equitable arts education has positioned the McCallum as a leader in regional cultural enrichment.

Each season, the McCallum Theatre presents a dynamic array of performances that span Broadway productions, classical and popular music, dance companies, comedy, and world renowned solo artists. The 2025–2026 season features national touring productions, global music ensembles, celebrated performers, and beloved community traditions such as the Palm Desert Choreography Festival and the Open Call Talent Project. This breadth of programming reflects the McCallum’s dedication to artistic excellence, cultural diversity, and community relevance, drawing audiences from across the Coachella Valley and beyond.

Friends of the Cultural Center, Inc. d/b/a McCallum Theatre is governed by a 52 member board of trustees led by Chairman Garry Kief, with Yvonne Bell serving as President and Chief Executive Officer. For the fiscal year ending July 31, 2024, the organization’s audited financial statements, which include the McCallum Theatre Foundation, reported total revenue of $25.3 million, including $11.3 million from contributions and grants, $11 million from program services, and $2.5 million from investment income.

Total expenses were $19.6 million, underscoring the scale and impact of the Theatre’s artistic and educational work. For the year ending July 31, 2026, the organization expects to continue its pattern of generating an annual surplus.

Sources: edited from mccallumtheatre.org; propublica.org

The Vice President—General Manager will bring a proven ability to build trust with a wide range of stakeholders and, in collaboration with the President & CEO, will guide the McCallum Theatre’s artistic vision by managing program bookings, logistics, contract administration, and season scheduling. They will ensure that programming serves the community and delivers meaningful cultural opportunities for the Coachella Valley and beyond, drawing on a solid history of programming as both presenter and producer and staying informed about trends and competitive offerings to help sustain a dynamic and successful season.

The Vice President—General Manager will demonstrate knowledge of the arts and community while fostering a cohesive internal team and staff culture that integrates innovative approaches with industry best practices across programming, production, marketing, front of house, and box office. They will cultivate strong industry relationships and work directly with agents, artists, programs, and internal staff to ensure clear communication, accurate agreements, and the smooth execution of contracts that comply with legal…