New Media & Arts Fellowship
Presented by @651arts-blog
To apply, visit 651arts.org/education/nmaf
651 ARTS is proud to announce the New Media & Arts Fellowship (NMAF) program is back! NMAF 2017 will be lead by Sydnie L. Mosley and we are delighted to continue our partnership with long-time friend Bailey’s Café.Under supervision of marketing and curatorial staff, this year’s students will also research the archives of 651 ARTS, and create social media and blog content about what they discover. All workshops will be held at Bailey’s Café—324 Malcolm X Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11233—on Tuesdays from 4:00-6:00pm.
Following a competitive application process, a select number of students will be chosen as 2017 New Media & Arts Fellows. Fellows will be awarded a $200.00 stipend at the completion of the program based on full attendance and participation. NO EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY, just an enthusiastic attitude!
Timeline
February 7, 2017 – Orientation
May 30, 2017 - Last Program Day
We will continue to accept students into the program on a rolling basis through February 28th, 2017.
[#GIVINGTUESDAY] Support 651ARTS in living our unapologetically Black dreams!
To donate, visit https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=112956108&vlrStratCode=2n19%2bPMbXpPuwNVwgN07gV1K3rba3Y%2bmJ3ETIS4Kg1l1lIraO9FhF1IDiGb91KSD
2016 has been a roller coaster! But it’s been an undeniably rich year for Black art and a groundbreaking year for Black artists.
651 ARTS began our year immersed in investigations of Classically Black, witnessing dance and music that captured our history and embodied our dreams. We dove into this Fall with discussions of Black masculinity alongside explorations of African womanhood and queerness. And now we're in the depths of our Home in the Time of Brooklyn think-tank and learning so much about what artists need and the Brooklyn home they're longing for — especially in a country that has made its values so explicitly clear.
Still, this year we got in Formation while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party’s founding and questioning the role of artists in our current liberation movement. We took A Seat at the Table celebrating the newly opened, gloriously constructed National Museum of African American History and Culture. We questioned the Birth of a Nation and asserted the immense importance of intersectional storytelling as we reflect on revolutions across the Diaspora. We sipped Lemonade while gettin’ down with our ancestors and flipping through the Coloring Book pages of who we are and hope to be.
Even as we have mourned loses — personal, political, and Prince (y'all know that's its own category) — we have so much to be grateful for. We are seeing our diverse selves on stage and screen. We are witnessing generations speak up, speak out, and push for change together. We are admiring the blocks of our building coming together, both literally and figuratively, while standing on a foundation of #BlackJoy #BlackGirlMagic #BlackLove #CarefreeBlackKids and every other freedom we've ever known.
You are that living foundation. You are what breathes life into us, our work, and soon enough our new home space. It's giving season again and we need your support. From painting to staging, furnishing to rehearsing, light fixtures to residency programs, the next few years have so much in store. We understand that this home is even more necessary now and we plan to continue to cultivate spaces to support your thriving. We hope you'll generously support us in living our unapologetically Black dreams.
In solidarity, love, and power,
Shay Wafer and the 651 ARTS Team
[#CONCERT] Lakou Mizik LIVE!
Co-Presented by @651arts with Haiti Cultural Exchange & BRIC.
Friday, May 6 | 8p
BRIC House Ballroom | 647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn
Admission: $20 in advance | $23 at door
Buy tickets
Enjoy the thrill of LAKOU MIZIK’s genre-blending, defiant musical expression of Haitian pride and hope. This collective of Haitian musicians, featuring legends like master vodou drummer Sanba Zao and young stars like Steeve Valcourt andJonas Attis, bring new life to Haitian roots music.
#Haiti2BK #LakouMizikinBK
LIVE & OUTSPOKEN: Honoring the Life & Legacy of Thelma Hill
Presented by @651arts in partnership w/ @mocada-museum and the Clark Center
Tuesday, November 17 | 7:30pm
MoCADA | 80 Hanson Place Brooklyn, NY 11217
Admission: $20
For tickets, visit 651arts.org/on-stage/event/honoring-the-life-and-legacy-of-thelma-hill
651 ARTS launches the second installment of its signature Live & Outspoken series with a discussion honoring dance educator and pioneer Thelma Hill. A panel of nationally acclaimed scholars and artists will convene to celebrate and pay tribute to the dynamic career on one of America’s most important dance figures.
Follow the conversation: #LiveOutspoken #ClassicBlack
About Thelma Hill
As a young child growing up in New York City, Thelma Hill’s first dance training was in tap dance. She later studied ballet at the Metropolitan Opera School of Ballet. In the 1950s, Hill performed with many companies including those of Talley Beatty, Jean-Léon Destiné, and Geoffrey Holder. In 1954, she and Ward Flemyng founded the New York Negro Ballet Company. Hill served as dancer and later co-director for the company, which toured in Europe and the United States. In 1958, Hill and a group of top New York dancers, including Alvin Ailey, formed a fledgling dance troupe that would eventually become the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1960.
Hill collaborated again with Ailey and other dancers, including Charles Moore and James Truitte, to found a dance-training program at a New York City YWCA. In 1962, the program became the Clark Center for the Performing Arts. Besides studio and performance space, the center provided classes in a variety of techniques and choreographic approaches.
After an injury forced her off the stage in the 1960s, Hill’s teaching career began to flourish. She was a proponent of the influential technique of Lester Horton. She taught at numerous institutions and was often known as “Mother Hill” by her students. These schools included the Davis Center for Performing Arts in New York City at City College of New York, the University of Cincinnati, and the American Dance Festival at Connecticut College in New London. She was also an active member of the Delacorte Dance Festival and Regional Ballet Association.
Hill died of smoke inhalation in 1977 during a fire in her New York City apartment. She was memorialized by the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (formerly the Arts Center) in New York City, which was renamed in her honor in 1977.
[#DANCE] Creative Outlet: An Artist Grows in #Brooklyn f/ Jamel Gaines
Presented by @651arts & @CreativeOutlet
*Opening Reception - Friday, May 15 | 6pm
Friday, May 15 | 7:30pm
Saturday, May 16 | 7:30pm
Sunday, May 17 | 3pm
Tickets: $20; $15 (students and seniors with ID) | Reception & performance ticket: $120
Purchase tickets HERE
Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at LIU BrooklynOn Flatbush Avenue between DeKalb Avenue and Willoughby Street | One University Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.kumbletheater.org | Box Office: (718) 488-1624
Creative Outlet celebrates 20 years of artistic excellence with a retrospective of their most acclaimed work. Director and founder, Jamel Gaines, has spent a lifetime cultivating students into dynamic artists who perform on stages around the world. Joining the program is his family of artists who represent some of the most lauded dancers of this generation. The performance includes five dance works with music by Roberta Flack, an all-male quartet, and movement inspired by the natural elements of Hurricane Katrina. Each performance begins with a special showing by current Creative Outlet students taking the stage.
Join Jamel Gaines' Creative Outlet in celebrating 20 years of excellent dance. Enjoy hor d'oeuvres and toast to Brooklyn's premiere dance theatre company.
“Development teams are always looking for dynamic individuals with a commitment to the arts.”
Whether you’re an artist or a recent arts administration graduate, learning more about the field of development can lead to a rewarding career. The fundamentals of development, relationship-building, and fundraising are skills that will be transferable and valuable to any position in the nonprofit world. Development can involve a variety of fundraising projects and engagement initiatives at arts councils, festivals, theaters, galleries, and museums. You can even start your own art space. The possibilities are truly limitless when it comes to raising money! Together we’ll explore the basics of development and share tips on how to enter the specialization successfully.
Education
To pursue a career in development, you must combine your passion for the arts with business know-how. There are several different approaches to learn more about the sector. You may pursue a graduate degree in arts administration or nonprofit management program. Attending an educational program can provide you with valuable professional opportunities, along with a well-established network of peers. Popular degree programs include American University’s Master in Arts Management and NYU’s Nonprofit Management and Policy program. You may also invest significant time in professional development programs at institutions like the Foundation Center or Support Center.
Here are some of the primary skills needed:
Grantwriting and fundraising
Public speaking
Data analysis
Nonprofit governance including management of staff, volunteers, and board members
Community resource development
Marketing
Financial accounting and management
The Foundation Center is an invaluable resource for developing your fundraising capability. The center operates libraries and learning centers in five locations - New York City; Washington, DC; Atlanta; Cleveland; and San Francisco - that offer free access to information resources and educational programs. Individuals can participate in training workshops nationwide that explore topics like, Introduction to Proposal Writing to From Statistics to Storytelling: An Introduction to Census Bureau Data.
Fundraising as Storytelling
Jessica Lynne, Development Manager at 651 Arts, is always expanding her skill set in development and increasing her knowledge as a grantmaker. She says:
“As a writer, I consider development work to be an act of storytelling. What is the best story to tell in order to encourage a community of stakeholders to invest in your mission? As I continue to learn more about the field, I try to cling to this fact as tightly as possible. Because the reality is development work is unglamorous. You’re often the last one in the office working on a grant or wrapping up an appeal or relentlessly trying to schedule a meeting with that elected official whose calendar never seems to open up. Yet, in my role as a storyteller, I have the opportunity to advocate for dynamic art and artists that matter in this world”.
Key Areas in Development
The primary goal of a development team is discovering methods to identify, cultivate and maintain funder and individual donors to the organization. As a development manager, you focus exclusively on fundraising efforts, including those related to individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. It helps to have broad familiarity with the following areas:
Gifts solicitation
Corporate solicitation
Grant writing for governmental entities and private foundations
Creation of an annual development plan
Fundraising events
Donor cultivation events
Capital campaigns
Volunteer management
An ability to advocate strongly on behalf of the administration is vital. Development staff tend to work closely with the executive director to engage the board of directors, both in their personal giving and in their roles as fundraisers for the institution. The type of work a development manager focuses on differs greatly between organizations depending on the size and services provided. The core knowledge areas are:
Individual Giving: Plan, direct, and implement an individual giving program with the goal of growing an organization’s donor base and increasing the number of major gifts each year. It’s vital that research is done to develop and maintain ongoing relationships with key donors and identify new prospects.
Institutional Giving: Lead the writing and submission of grants and reports, at times in collaboration with the Executive Director. Development staff research new sources of foundation and corporate funding, along with tracking and acknowledging all grants and donations.
Board Relations: Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop and implement strategies that engage the board and motivate them to develop donors and advocates for the organization. The development manager may serve as another staff liaison to the board, ensuring they are up-to-date on programming activities and reporting on fundraising needs.
Grant proposals: Primarily responsible for developing and writing grant proposals to foundations and other grant-making entities, and will persuasively communicate the overall mission to potential funders. Submit grant requests, establish and maintain relationships with foundation contacts, conduct prospect research, and maintain a calendar of submissions and other deadlines.
Special Events: Guide and manage key special event programs including corporate gifts and sponsorship support. Manage benefit, gala and donor cultivation events. Continually search for new sponsorships that increase visibility and community awareness.
Those most successful professionals in the field embrace meeting new people and enjoy working collaboratively. You should also be as comfortable following-up proactively and appropriately with foundations and donors. Deadlines and attention to detail in all communications are crucial to the world of development.
Internships, entry level positions & volunteering
Internships and/or entry level jobs are something everyone has to experience. They allow you to test out the field in a practical way, get your foot in the door of an organization you admire, and make connections in the field. In addition, you can gain hands-on training and see how your personality fits the internal culture. For those contemplating how to gain experience in development, look for opportunities in audience engagement, member services and/or customer service.
Internships in development and fundraising can range depending on the organization. The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council offers a robust internship program where individuals are paired with staff members to concentrate on specific track, like public programs, community initiatives or institutional giving. There is a strong emphasis on collaborative learning and creating meaningful exchanges with participants.
The Metropolitan Opera and The Brooklyn Museum often hire part-time associates to support their telefundraising campaigns. These positions are flexible and vary season to season. The primary responsibilities include conducting outbound calls to patrons and prospective donors to raise funds for the venue. Each phone call and member interaction supports specific departmental fundraising goals. In this role, individuals learn strong communication skills, database management and strengthen their ability to build positive relationships with many different types of people in the arts community.
We also recommend that you try volunteering for special events like galas and cultivation events. For example, volunteers may serve on gala committees, help the day of the event with set-up or support a silent auction. Simply volunteering for one benefit dinner can provide you with a new perspective!
The Size of the Institution
Development and fundraising goals vary due to the size and capacity of an cultural organization. As a member of a development team you may provide administrative support, write grant proposals, or even advise board members on annual contributions.
A small to mid-level organization may depend on 1-2 key staff members to manage all aspects of fundraising, which may include recruiting volunteers, planning special events, organizing corporate campaigns, writing grants and soliciting funds. It’s a tremendous amount of work for a small yet dedicated staff. You must be passionate and invested in the work to “get it done”! At 651 Arts, the tight-knit team forms incredibly close relationships with their artists.
“We are deliberate about making ourselves available to them as they navigating the funding landscape - from initial idea to revision to submission. In some cases, we also provide fiscal sponsorship for artists applying for funding that requires applicants to have 501(c)3 status.”
A large organization with extensive philanthropy needs is more likely to have specialized fundraising positions. Some organizations with over 100 employees have a development team whose sole responsibility is to research fundraising opportunities and submit grant applications while another department manages special event fundraising activities. Specialized fundraising professionals may also be hired on an individual basis to solicit funds from private parties and corporations.
Overall, through internships, entry-level positions, and volunteering, you gain exposure to the many forms of fundraising: grants from private foundations, individual donors, special events and corporate sponsorships. The kind of fundraising job that is right for you will really depend on whether you enjoy becoming an expert on one aspect of fundraising, or if you'd prefer being involved every aspect of the process!
Development teams are always looking for dynamic individuals with a commitment to the arts. You'll play a key role in advancing the arts and most importantly, increasing much needed funding! Check out the latest development opportunities on NYFA Classifieds:
Director of Development
Two River Theater
Red Bank, NJ
Director of Development
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Beverly Hills, CA
Vice Director for Development
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn, NY
Development Associate
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn, NY
Business Development Manager
Manhattan Renovations
New York, NY
Director of Development
Mattress Factory Museum
Pittsburgh, PA
Manager of Program Development
Staten Island Children's Museum
Staten Island, NY
Senior Development Officer
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
Ridgefield, CT
To find more development jobs, visit NYFA Classifieds.
Let us know what careers you’d like to learn more about by visiting us on Twitter: @nyfacurrent and using the hashtag #NYFACreativeCareers
- Glory Edim, Program Associate, Online Resources
Image: Billy Farrell Agency, Photo of Artist Deborah Kass, NYFA Hall of Fame Inductee 2014
This weekend the Brooklyn Museum is joining together with MAPP International Productions and 651 ARTS to co-present a very timely discussion on Black femininity called Triple Consciousness. Rasu Jilani, Director of Community Programs at MAPP International Productions, shares about how the idea for the three-part series was sparked:
"In 2013, I attended a Park Armory work-in-progress presentation of Ralph Lemon's Scaffold Room, produced by MAPP International Productions. The performance addressed ideas of the archetypal Black female in America culture, and I found myself experiencing various streams of consciousness.
I was left with a question: 'What impact does the Black woman’s image in pop culture have on America?' I explored the idea for several months before approaching Shay Wafer of 651 ARTS with the idea of producing a discussion about Black femininity. Shay explained that 651 ARTS was producing the Geneva Project directed by Charlotte Brathwaite, which also seeks to examine black femininity through the lens of cultural remembrance. We expanded the concept to focus on themes of Black female identity, and commissioned Ebony Noelle Golden to curate the program. These collaborative efforts make Triple Consciousness a platform for exercising the democratic voice in re-imagining Black female identity in America."
Posted by Alicia Boone
Photo: Ralph Lemon
If you can't make it to the Museum this Saturday for the first part in this series: Body Rock, we will be streaming the event live. Tune in and join in on the discussion!
Dr. @cornelwest & Sonia Sanchez (@poetSanchez) reflect on the year 1963 for #Soundtrack63. Experience the Musical Evolution of a Revolution -- the Civil Rights Movement in a way that you never have before. Join @soulsciencelab, @651arts & @ElektricBreakfast for this incredible 2014 remount performance!
Soul Science Lab in partnership with @651arts & Elektric Breakfast present the 2014 remount "Soundtrack 63: Reflect. Renew. Remix...1963!"
Friday, October 3, 2014 | 7:30pm & Saturday, October 4, 2014 | 7:30pm
Tishman Auditorium at The New School | 63 5th Avenue New York, NY
General Admission: $20 | Student Admission: $10
Advance sales only. No tickets at the door.
Tickets: http://bit.ly/1DeRH73
Website: http://bit.ly/1DeRH73
Behind every movement is a soundtrack that mobilizes change and inspires the leaders for generations to come. Experience the revolution! Join Soul Science Lab in partnership with 651 Arts and Elektric Breakfast for Soundtrack ‘63! Soundtrack ‘63 features a host of amazing artists who breathe new life into the sights and sounds that shaped the music of an era, including an 18-piece orchestra, commentary by Dr. Cornel West, poets Sonia Sanchez and Abiodun Oyewele of The Last Poets, Blitz the Ambassador, Chen Lo, Asante Amin and more! This 3-screen multi-media, live music and edutainment retrospective of the Civil Rights Movement is an incredible cultural and artistic experience that takes you on a journey from the continent through milestone events in African-American history through compelling images, video, jazz, hip-hop, soul and poetry.
Soul Science Lab in partnership with 651 ARTS and Elektric Breakfast invite you to join us for this edutainment style performance that connects generations with the richness of the African-American experience and music that defined the culture. Celebrate the peak of the civil rights movement and re-live musical classics that were popular prior to, during, and following the revolutionary year 1963 with new arrangements. Let the music carry you away as we transport you back in time with a live video installation that will immerse your senses and make you re-think, re-new, and re-mix the power of an era.
