Jim Wooster to Resign as Executive Director of Passim

Passim Executive Director Jim Wooster has announced he will retire from the Cambridge music venue in early 2025. Wooster served as Executive Director for nearly a decade, strengthening the storied arts nonprofit, creating new initiatives and positioning the organization for continued success. A search for his replacement is now underway.

Wooster was already very familiar with Passim when he took over in 2015, having attended shows at the club since the mid-’80s and even performed there a few times with various bands. Wooster joined Passim’s board in 2012 and became registrar in 2013. He would go on to lead the organization as executive director, steer the club through the pandemic, increase the club’s overall revenue and contributed income by 7% during his tenure, and helped the club celebrate 60 years with a concert at Boston’s Shubert Theatre in 2019.

One of Wooster’s greatest accomplishments during his tenure has been expanding the organization’s mission to nurture artists at all stages of their careers. During the pandemic, Passim launched the PEAR Fund, which has distributed $205,000 to artists through grants. He’s laid the foundation for a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable music community. Through the creation of the artist-led Folk Collective, Passim is leveraging his legacy to create a future folk music scene that authentically represents a diverse range of voices, themes, and artistic expressions.

Wooster has positioned the club for future success by recruiting a strong board and staff committed to integrating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into all of the organization’s strategic priorities. He has helped expand the food offering, including a Live Music Brunch from the in-house kitchen, launched a new website and ticketing platform, and given the club a cosmetic makeover.

“Passim has flourished during Jim’s tenure as Executive Director,” said Annie Bartlett, Passim Board Chair. “With Jim’s leadership and dedication to Passim, we’ve kept the music playing, built the incredible community we have today, and positioned Passim for a vibrant and inclusive future.”

Wooster will remain in his current role while a replacement is sought.

About Passim

Passim’s mission is to provide truly exceptional and interactive live musical experiences for artists and audiences alike, to nurture artists at all stages of their careers, and to build a vibrant music community. Passim does this through its legendary listening venue, music school, artist scholarships, and outreach programs. A nonprofit organization since 1994, Passim continues the legacy of its predecessors: the historic Club 47 (1958-1968) and the for-profit Passim (1969-1994). We cultivate a diverse mix of musical traditions, emphasizing the relationships between artists and audiences and faculty and students. Based in Harvard Square, Passim serves Cambridge and the greater region by showcasing local, national, and international artists. Our ultimate goal is to help the performing arts flourish and, in doing so, enrich the lives of members of our community. For a complete schedule, visit www.passim.org.

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