Wow, that's a tough question.  A lot would depend on what exactly you're going to be asking this person to do, what qualifications you expect and your own local job market/cost of living.  A little more info about your situation would help give a better idea of what the position should be paid.

Can you check out similar City grants awarded in your area?
Also think about suplimenting any grant stipend with a % per seats sold, say about $1/seat as an incentive.
Genheraly grant bodiies have a specified maximum amount for specific type of  grants awarded.
Further with the seat supliment you may find there is less reliance required upon securing this or any future grants.

Salaries are all over the place for a fulltime manager.  A mid range is probably $40,000.  I know Executive Directors/General Managers around the country that have a BFA with full time jobs that are generally in the $30,000 - $50,000 range. 

I'm not sure about Managers, but as the Producing Artistic Director, I both handle the management and artistic decisions of our community Theater, and I receive $36,000 per year. That seems to be the lower-end of the living wage were I live.

If you hire a manager straight our of high-school (hey, iv seen it done), then you could get by with paying them $8 an hour. Keep in mind, however, that you'll be getting a 'high school "manager" for that rate. Any professional manager with a BFA and Business Administration (which should be the minimum considered to manage a theater company), your looking at least $30,000 per year in the mid-west. Although, another local 'semi-professional' theater company has proven me wrong on this. Both the Artistic Director and General Manager work 40+ hours per week, and their pay is $11,000 (AD) and $7,000 (GM) per year, respectively. I guess it depends on if you can find a house-wive with no job that loves theatre, and is willing to spend her day managing your company for $3 an hour


Edited by lparks - 4/01/10 at 2:57pm

Hi Definitely, a couple of things.  First you need to think your region not just "average" because there is a huge range around the country.  Check in to see if  you have a nonprofit association in your state or a state arts or humanities counsel (state government pages).  These organizations can give you salaries in comparable nonprofit agencies (by budget and type, ususally).  Then you need to think about whether there are any benefits attached as well -- huge variable.  SOme states have nonprofit associations that offer insurance buyins for small organiztions.   Calien

Edited by clewis - 5/04/10 at 3:39pm