May 17, 2017- The Board of Directors of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit are excited to announce its plan to transition to a new executive leadership structure as the organization positions itself in its 25th Anniversary year for increased capacity and sustainability. The co-leadership model of an executive director and artistic director, used by most major American nonprofit theatres, will allow the directors to unify and work collaboratively to build on the organization’s success in both the arts and youth development. Mosaic is known nationally and internationally as an exemplary youth arts program and a leader in the new field of Creative Youth Development.
“As the board assessed our last twenty five years and worked with Founder, Rick Sperling to consider what that next twenty five years would look like, we determined this leadership structure was the best strategy to build a foundation for further success,” said Mosaic Board Chair Kate Spratt. More importantly, “Bringing in an executive director who can focus solely on fund development and nonprofit management — while Rick continues to drive creative excellence – will allow Mosaic to further grow as a strong nonprofit, impact more young people’s lives, and contribute more to the Detroit arts ecosystem.”
“Over the past 25 years, Mosaic has demonstrated the power of theatre and music to transform the lives of Detroit youth,” said Sperling. “This new leadership structure will allow me and Associate Artistic Director DeLashea Strawder to focus all of our energies on advancing Mosaic’s capacity to create art that truly empowers young people to achieve excellence on stage and in life.”
Founded by Sperling in 1992, Mosaic has grown into an honored Detroit cultural institution and a haven for thousands of Detroit teens with a passion for the arts. Mosaic’s acclaimed all-teen performances have toured to Africa, Asia, Europe, Canada and 25 states throughout the U.S. including performances at The White House, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater. Under Sperling’s leadership, Mosaic has been named Crain Detroit’s Best Managed Nonprofit and has been a selected as a winner of Michigan’s Governors Arts Award and the National Youth Arts and Humanities Award presented by the President Committee on the Arts and Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. A University of Michigan study released in 2008 provides extensive data demonstrating Mosaic’s significant impact on the personal and professional growth of Detroit youth. Over Mosaic’s 25 year history, more than 95% of its performers have graduated from high school and gone on to college.
The national Executive Director search will begin in May 2017 with a goal to have the position filled by August. The Hunter Group has been engaged by the Mosaic board to lead the search. Inquiries about the position can be directed to The Hunter Group, Blaire Miller, Partner. Email: [email protected], Tel: 248.645.1551 ext. 207
