AJ Four Ways: Text Only (by date) | headlines only
DANCE
IDEAS
- Director of Artistic Operations
Reports to: Executive Director and Artistic Directors
Type: Full-time, exempt, salaried
Salary & Benefits: $75,000-$85,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Generous PTO, Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Location: New York, NY – Hybrid work setting, including Manhattan office space and on-site at concert events at multiple venues
Hiring Timeline: Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@theknightsnyc.com with the subject line “Director of Artistic Operations”. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. The Knights are looking to fill position by mid- to late February.
About The Knights
The Knights are a collective of adventurous musicians dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audiences and music. Driven by an open-minded spirit of camaraderie and exploration, they inspire listeners with vibrant programs that encompass their roots in the classical tradition and passion for artistic discovery. The orchestra has toured and recorded with renowned soloists including Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Béla Fleck, Chris Thile, and Gil Shaham, and has appeared across the world’s most prestigious stages, including those at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood, Ravinia, The Kennedy Center, and the Vienna Musikverein. The Knights evolved from late-night chamber music reading parties with friends at the home of violinist Colin Jacobsen and cellist Eric Jacobsen. The Jacobsen brothers, who are also founding members of the string quartet Brooklyn Rider, serve as Artistic Directors of The Knights, with Eric Jacobsen as conductor and Colin Jacobsen as Concertmaster. Since incorporating in 2007, the orchestra has toured consistently across the United States and Europe.
Position Overview
The Director of Artistic Operations works in tandem with the Artistic Directors and Executive Director on high-level artistic planning and ensures implementation in an organized, efficient and professional manner. The Director of Artistic Operations will work especially closely with the Artistic Directors and serve as a support to them in all processes pertaining to artistic planning, goals and activities, including concerts, touring, recordings, educational activities, etc. The ideal candidate is passionate, creative, knowledgeable, fast-paced, and a self-starter with excellent artistic knowledge, exceptional communication skills, and a proven track-record of effective and successful management of multiple projects simultaneously.
Responsibilities
- Manage program and personnel planning, processes and deadlines, working with the Artistic Directors, Executive Director, and The Knights’ touring management, Opus 3 Artists
- Nurture relationships with agents, artists, publishers, composers, and artistic partners
- Serve as primary on-site staff person for all Knights rehearsals and performances, in rotation with Operations Coordinator
- Secure rehearsal venues, and track contracts and invoices
- Ascertain technical and artist amenities with venue and technical staff, prepare technical riders and advances, rent instruments, technical equipment, etc.
- Oversee and support Librarian and Operations Coordinator in planning for acquisition of orchestral parts, maintaining digital library, securing bowings, etc.
- Supervise / implement stage set-up and rentals at rehearsals and performances; ensure technical rider compliance, help to solve any on-site issues and coordinate with venue staff on set-changes, lighting, amplification
- Hire videographers and sound engineers for recording projects as needed, and capture photos / informal audio recordings during rehearsals for archival reference or social media use
- Book and schedule hotels, charter buses, rental cars, catering and flights for out-of-town performances, and determine final head-counts for all bookings
- Through consultation with Artistic Directors, prepare stage plots, orchestra reference recordings and other production details
- With Artistic Directors and/or Personnel Manager, create rehearsal schedules, calculate musicians’ fees, create work offers, and prepare financial reports and projections related to artistic projects
- Oversee the timeline for musician hiring and orchestra seating for projects in coordination with Personnel Manager and Artistic Directors
- Oversee programming database and calendar of artistic activities
- In partnership with the Executive Director, communicate with contracted soloists, composers and arrangers regarding fees. Prepare and finalize memorandums of understanding and artist agreement contracts for guest artists, composers, and arrangers; and establish delivery deadlines for newly commissioned works.
- Process musician payroll through Quickbooks
- In partnership with the Executive and Artistic Directors, and the musicians’ Review Committee, update The Knights’ Code of Practice as necessary
- Compile and prepare all printed program materials to share with Opus 3 & presenters, including program notes, program listing, musician roster, biographies, press photos, song texts
- Work with the Executive Director and Operations Coordinator on marketing assets that can be used to promote upcoming performances
- Coordinate with Artistic Directors and Director of Educational Programming on planning for educational activities
- Along with the Operations Coordinator, ascertain public announcement/ticketing dates for all performances for website updates and email blasts
- Advance the work of musician-led committees, including the Review Committee, and the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee
- Oversee the annual Innovation Fund application & review processes
- Other duties as assigned
Our Ideal Candidate
Please apply if you have:
- Impeccable communication skills and the ability to work closely with a team in a close, collaborative manner
- 3-5 years arts management experience and knowledge of performance procedures and practices, touring and recording
- Strong knowledge of classical music in particular, along with other musical genres
- The ability to create, streamline and oversee systems, policies, and processes related to artistic planning
- Project management experience
- Solid organization skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize across several active projects
- Software acumen and the ability to manage, use, learn the following software and systems: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Quickbooks Online, and Squarespace
- Good Morning
Today’s Highlights: The most significant institutional rupture right now is the battle for funding in Washington. In a major rebuke to Trump, the U.S. House has voted to fully fund the NEA, NEH, and the Smithsonian, moving to protect the nation’s primary cultural stewards. This spirit of defiance extends to the Voice of America, as a bipartisan spending bill has allocated $643 million for the agency, bucking a direct shutdown order from the White House (The Washington Post (MSN)). Meanwhile, as the Washington National Opera prepares to leave the Kennedy Center, legal experts explain why the National Symphony Orchestra would find it nearly impossible to follow suit, regardless of the politics (William Ford).
The relationship between creativity and technology is reaching a new level of friction. While Bandcamp has officially prohibited music created by AI to preserve “human connection”, media organizations are lashing out at Big Tech, alleging that Google “cheated” media out of essential advertising revenue while breaking traditional business models (The Atlantic). This automated pressure is even reaching the consumer’s wallet, with warnings that personalized pricing algorithms are now tailoring the cost of goods and services based on individual browsing patterns and locations (The Walrus).
Despite these digital pressures, the hunger for physical, immersive experiences is growing. The immersive theater company Punchdrunk is turning video games into live-action multiplayer experiences (The Guardian), while a revival of Regency-style balls is seeing fans of Jane Austen and Bridgerton flocking to historical dance floors (The Guardian).
Finally, we look at the shifting nature of artistic legacy. A newly released trove of Harper Lee’s letters offers a rare glimpse into her aversion to public attention and her thoughts on Truman Capote (The New York Times). Philadelphia prepares to move the iconic Rocky statue to the top of the Art Museum’s steps (Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)), and we note the quiet closure of SXSW Sydney, a casualty of “prevailing market conditions” (ArtsHub (Australia)).
All our stories below.
- Turning A Video Game Into Immersive Theater
That’s what Punchdrunk, the éminence grise of immersive companies, is doing at its southeast London headquarters. Lander 23 is an IRL multiplayer game in which teams of four audience members/players are split into two squads: “fields” who navigate an alien landscape and “drivers” who give them instructions on where to go. – The Guardian
- Trump Eyes a Site For His National Garden of American Heroes
It was not clear which section of the park the White House is considering, but the southern tip of West Potomac Park — a short walk from the Jefferson Memorial — has largely been used for athletic fields. – Washington Post
- Jane-Ites On The Dance Floor: Austen And “Bridgerton” Fans Are Reviving Regency-Style Balls
With period dress and steps learned from contemporary manuals (which include notation of the steps), historical dance societies in Britain gather in ballrooms to do The Triple Minor, the Duchess of Devonshire’s Reel, and the dance Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet did in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice adaptation, Mr. Beveridge’s Maggot. – The Guardian
ISSUES
- Iran’s Art Galleries Close
Describing the state of the economy as “in its worst condition”, the gallerist says many people can no longer afford basic necessities such as meat, bread, eggs or oil. Instability makes even simple purchases impossible. – The Art Newspaper
- Rocky Relocates To The Top Of Philadelphia’s Steps
The city’s famed Rocky statue has been cleared for installation atop the Philadelphia Art Museum’s iconic steps later this year following an Art Commission vote Wednesday. – Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
- Plan To Dismantle Antwerp’s Contemporary Art Museum Is Put On Hold
Following ferocious criticism from the art world in Belgium and internationally, Flemish culture minister Caroline Gennez has agreed not to put her plan to reorganize the system of museums in Flanders — a plan which includes the dismantling of Belgium’s oldest museum of contemporary art — on the government’s agenda just yet. – Belgian News Agency
- The Louvre Has Raised Ticket Prices By Half For Non-Europeans. Here’s What To Know.
“The museum said the 45% price hike to 32 euros ($37) from 22 euros is part of a national ‘differentiated pricing’ policy announced early last year that’s coming into force across major cultural sites. … The change affects visitors from most non-EU countries, including the United States.” – AP
- The Trump Effect On Museums
The Trump effect is being felt through executive orders and federal cuts: 34% of museums suffered the cancellation of government grants or contracts; 29% saw a decrease in attendance due to changes in travel/tourism and/or economic uncertainty… – The Guardian
MEDIA
- Trump Eyes a Site For His National Garden of American Heroes
It was not clear which section of the park the White House is considering, but the southern tip of West Potomac Park — a short walk from the Jefferson Memorial — has largely been used for athletic fields. – Washington Post
- Why California College of the Arts Shut Down
CCA, which currently has 1,295 students, has long been in dire financial straits. Enrollment had fallen almost one third from its 2019 peak of 1,800, with the most recent class including only 207 undergraduate and 117 graduate students, according to the EDU Ledger. – Artnet
- Philadelphia Breaks Ground On $150 Million Overhaul Of “Avenue Of The Arts”
The project — a complete redesign of the streetscape of Broad Street, home to a number of the city’s leading arts institutions, from City Hall to the edge of South Philadelphia — will start modestly but will speed up after the America 250 celebrations this year. – The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
- SXSW Quietly Closes Down Its Edition In Sydney
A press release stated, “The decision reflects a changing global environment that is impacting major events, festivals and cultural programs worldwide. … SXSW Sydney worked … to explore potential pathways forward for the event; however, prevailing market conditions mean the Sydney edition will not be going ahead at this time.” – ArtsHub (Australia)
- Report: Benefits Of AI In Schools Outweighs Risks
The risks of using generative artificial intelligence to educate children and teens currently overshadow the benefits, according to a new study by the Brookings Institution’s Center for Universal Education. – NPR
MUSIC
- How Bennett Cerf Got Truman Capote To Start — And Then Finish — “In Cold Blood”
“When people met Capote, Bennett admitted, they often were inclined ‘to laugh,’ but ‘don’t let that first impression fool you.’ Nonetheless, even armed with McCain’s goodwill, Capote was well aware that a tense rural hamlet reeling from multiple murders might not take kindly to a high-pitched elfin outsider … nosing around.” – Literary Hub
- What Harper Lee Really Thought, As Found In A Newly-Released Trove Of Letters
“The letters cover more than two decades and in them (she) discusses growing old, her aversion to public attention, … her opinions of fellow writers like Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams and Eudora Welty, … (and) her take on the Deep South’s transition from Depression-era segregation to the Civil Rights movement.” – The New York Times
- Spain’s Official Language Authority Is Criticized For Not Being Purist Enough
“Novelist Arturo Pérez-Reverte (accused) the Spanish Royal Academy (RAE) – of which he is a member – of failing (its mission) of ‘cleaning, fixing and giving shine’ to the Spanish language. These days ‘an illiterate pundit, YouTuber or influencer can have more linguistic influence than a Cervantes prize winner’, he said.” – The Guardian
- Word Puzzle: English As A Made-Up Language
The truth is—and this may come as a surprise to some of you—the English language does not exist. English is an entirely borrowed language. There was Anglo-Saxon, and overlays of Norse from the Vikings, then the French invasion brought some upper-class words. – Harper’s
- Writing About Your Family In Your Novel? See You In Court!
In contemporary European literature, a book these days is often the beginning of a familial feud. With thinly disguised autobiographical accounts of family strife undergoing a sustained boom across the continent, it can increasingly lead to family reunions in courtrooms. – The Guardian
PEOPLE
- Director of Artistic Operations
Reports to: Executive Director and Artistic Directors
Type: Full-time, exempt, salaried
Salary & Benefits: $75,000-$85,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Generous PTO, Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Location: New York, NY – Hybrid work setting, including Manhattan office space and on-site at concert events at multiple venues
Hiring Timeline: Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@theknightsnyc.com with the subject line “Director of Artistic Operations”. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. The Knights are looking to fill position by mid- to late February.
About The Knights
The Knights are a collective of adventurous musicians dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audiences and music. Driven by an open-minded spirit of camaraderie and exploration, they inspire listeners with vibrant programs that encompass their roots in the classical tradition and passion for artistic discovery. The orchestra has toured and recorded with renowned soloists including Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Béla Fleck, Chris Thile, and Gil Shaham, and has appeared across the world’s most prestigious stages, including those at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood, Ravinia, The Kennedy Center, and the Vienna Musikverein. The Knights evolved from late-night chamber music reading parties with friends at the home of violinist Colin Jacobsen and cellist Eric Jacobsen. The Jacobsen brothers, who are also founding members of the string quartet Brooklyn Rider, serve as Artistic Directors of The Knights, with Eric Jacobsen as conductor and Colin Jacobsen as Concertmaster. Since incorporating in 2007, the orchestra has toured consistently across the United States and Europe.
Position Overview
The Director of Artistic Operations works in tandem with the Artistic Directors and Executive Director on high-level artistic planning and ensures implementation in an organized, efficient and professional manner. The Director of Artistic Operations will work especially closely with the Artistic Directors and serve as a support to them in all processes pertaining to artistic planning, goals and activities, including concerts, touring, recordings, educational activities, etc. The ideal candidate is passionate, creative, knowledgeable, fast-paced, and a self-starter with excellent artistic knowledge, exceptional communication skills, and a proven track-record of effective and successful management of multiple projects simultaneously.
Responsibilities
- Manage program and personnel planning, processes and deadlines, working with the Artistic Directors, Executive Director, and The Knights’ touring management, Opus 3 Artists
- Nurture relationships with agents, artists, publishers, composers, and artistic partners
- Serve as primary on-site staff person for all Knights rehearsals and performances, in rotation with Operations Coordinator
- Secure rehearsal venues, and track contracts and invoices
- Ascertain technical and artist amenities with venue and technical staff, prepare technical riders and advances, rent instruments, technical equipment, etc.
- Oversee and support Librarian and Operations Coordinator in planning for acquisition of orchestral parts, maintaining digital library, securing bowings, etc.
- Supervise / implement stage set-up and rentals at rehearsals and performances; ensure technical rider compliance, help to solve any on-site issues and coordinate with venue staff on set-changes, lighting, amplification
- Hire videographers and sound engineers for recording projects as needed, and capture photos / informal audio recordings during rehearsals for archival reference or social media use
- Book and schedule hotels, charter buses, rental cars, catering and flights for out-of-town performances, and determine final head-counts for all bookings
- Through consultation with Artistic Directors, prepare stage plots, orchestra reference recordings and other production details
- With Artistic Directors and/or Personnel Manager, create rehearsal schedules, calculate musicians’ fees, create work offers, and prepare financial reports and projections related to artistic projects
- Oversee the timeline for musician hiring and orchestra seating for projects in coordination with Personnel Manager and Artistic Directors
- Oversee programming database and calendar of artistic activities
- In partnership with the Executive Director, communicate with contracted soloists, composers and arrangers regarding fees. Prepare and finalize memorandums of understanding and artist agreement contracts for guest artists, composers, and arrangers; and establish delivery deadlines for newly commissioned works.
- Process musician payroll through Quickbooks
- In partnership with the Executive and Artistic Directors, and the musicians’ Review Committee, update The Knights’ Code of Practice as necessary
- Compile and prepare all printed program materials to share with Opus 3 & presenters, including program notes, program listing, musician roster, biographies, press photos, song texts
- Work with the Executive Director and Operations Coordinator on marketing assets that can be used to promote upcoming performances
- Coordinate with Artistic Directors and Director of Educational Programming on planning for educational activities
- Along with the Operations Coordinator, ascertain public announcement/ticketing dates for all performances for website updates and email blasts
- Advance the work of musician-led committees, including the Review Committee, and the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee
- Oversee the annual Innovation Fund application & review processes
- Other duties as assigned
Our Ideal Candidate
Please apply if you have:
- Impeccable communication skills and the ability to work closely with a team in a close, collaborative manner
- 3-5 years arts management experience and knowledge of performance procedures and practices, touring and recording
- Strong knowledge of classical music in particular, along with other musical genres
- The ability to create, streamline and oversee systems, policies, and processes related to artistic planning
- Project management experience
- Solid organization skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize across several active projects
- Software acumen and the ability to manage, use, learn the following software and systems: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Quickbooks Online, and Squarespace
- Good Morning
Today’s Highlights: The most significant institutional rupture right now is the battle for funding in Washington. In a major rebuke to Trump, the U.S. House has voted to fully fund the NEA, NEH, and the Smithsonian, moving to protect the nation’s primary cultural stewards. This spirit of defiance extends to the Voice of America, as a bipartisan spending bill has allocated $643 million for the agency, bucking a direct shutdown order from the White House (The Washington Post (MSN)). Meanwhile, as the Washington National Opera prepares to leave the Kennedy Center, legal experts explain why the National Symphony Orchestra would find it nearly impossible to follow suit, regardless of the politics (William Ford).
The relationship between creativity and technology is reaching a new level of friction. While Bandcamp has officially prohibited music created by AI to preserve “human connection”, media organizations are lashing out at Big Tech, alleging that Google “cheated” media out of essential advertising revenue while breaking traditional business models (The Atlantic). This automated pressure is even reaching the consumer’s wallet, with warnings that personalized pricing algorithms are now tailoring the cost of goods and services based on individual browsing patterns and locations (The Walrus).
Despite these digital pressures, the hunger for physical, immersive experiences is growing. The immersive theater company Punchdrunk is turning video games into live-action multiplayer experiences (The Guardian), while a revival of Regency-style balls is seeing fans of Jane Austen and Bridgerton flocking to historical dance floors (The Guardian).
Finally, we look at the shifting nature of artistic legacy. A newly released trove of Harper Lee’s letters offers a rare glimpse into her aversion to public attention and her thoughts on Truman Capote (The New York Times). Philadelphia prepares to move the iconic Rocky statue to the top of the Art Museum’s steps (Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)), and we note the quiet closure of SXSW Sydney, a casualty of “prevailing market conditions” (ArtsHub (Australia)).
All our stories below.
- Turning A Video Game Into Immersive Theater
That’s what Punchdrunk, the éminence grise of immersive companies, is doing at its southeast London headquarters. Lander 23 is an IRL multiplayer game in which teams of four audience members/players are split into two squads: “fields” who navigate an alien landscape and “drivers” who give them instructions on where to go. – The Guardian
- Trump Eyes a Site For His National Garden of American Heroes
It was not clear which section of the park the White House is considering, but the southern tip of West Potomac Park — a short walk from the Jefferson Memorial — has largely been used for athletic fields. – Washington Post
- Jane-Ites On The Dance Floor: Austen And “Bridgerton” Fans Are Reviving Regency-Style Balls
With period dress and steps learned from contemporary manuals (which include notation of the steps), historical dance societies in Britain gather in ballrooms to do The Triple Minor, the Duchess of Devonshire’s Reel, and the dance Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet did in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice adaptation, Mr. Beveridge’s Maggot. – The Guardian
PEOPLE
- Director of Artistic Operations
Reports to: Executive Director and Artistic Directors
Type: Full-time, exempt, salaried
Salary & Benefits: $75,000-$85,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Generous PTO, Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Location: New York, NY – Hybrid work setting, including Manhattan office space and on-site at concert events at multiple venues
Hiring Timeline: Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@theknightsnyc.com with the subject line “Director of Artistic Operations”. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. The Knights are looking to fill position by mid- to late February.
About The Knights
The Knights are a collective of adventurous musicians dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audiences and music. Driven by an open-minded spirit of camaraderie and exploration, they inspire listeners with vibrant programs that encompass their roots in the classical tradition and passion for artistic discovery. The orchestra has toured and recorded with renowned soloists including Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Béla Fleck, Chris Thile, and Gil Shaham, and has appeared across the world’s most prestigious stages, including those at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood, Ravinia, The Kennedy Center, and the Vienna Musikverein. The Knights evolved from late-night chamber music reading parties with friends at the home of violinist Colin Jacobsen and cellist Eric Jacobsen. The Jacobsen brothers, who are also founding members of the string quartet Brooklyn Rider, serve as Artistic Directors of The Knights, with Eric Jacobsen as conductor and Colin Jacobsen as Concertmaster. Since incorporating in 2007, the orchestra has toured consistently across the United States and Europe.
Position Overview
The Director of Artistic Operations works in tandem with the Artistic Directors and Executive Director on high-level artistic planning and ensures implementation in an organized, efficient and professional manner. The Director of Artistic Operations will work especially closely with the Artistic Directors and serve as a support to them in all processes pertaining to artistic planning, goals and activities, including concerts, touring, recordings, educational activities, etc. The ideal candidate is passionate, creative, knowledgeable, fast-paced, and a self-starter with excellent artistic knowledge, exceptional communication skills, and a proven track-record of effective and successful management of multiple projects simultaneously.
Responsibilities
- Manage program and personnel planning, processes and deadlines, working with the Artistic Directors, Executive Director, and The Knights’ touring management, Opus 3 Artists
- Nurture relationships with agents, artists, publishers, composers, and artistic partners
- Serve as primary on-site staff person for all Knights rehearsals and performances, in rotation with Operations Coordinator
- Secure rehearsal venues, and track contracts and invoices
- Ascertain technical and artist amenities with venue and technical staff, prepare technical riders and advances, rent instruments, technical equipment, etc.
- Oversee and support Librarian and Operations Coordinator in planning for acquisition of orchestral parts, maintaining digital library, securing bowings, etc.
- Supervise / implement stage set-up and rentals at rehearsals and performances; ensure technical rider compliance, help to solve any on-site issues and coordinate with venue staff on set-changes, lighting, amplification
- Hire videographers and sound engineers for recording projects as needed, and capture photos / informal audio recordings during rehearsals for archival reference or social media use
- Book and schedule hotels, charter buses, rental cars, catering and flights for out-of-town performances, and determine final head-counts for all bookings
- Through consultation with Artistic Directors, prepare stage plots, orchestra reference recordings and other production details
- With Artistic Directors and/or Personnel Manager, create rehearsal schedules, calculate musicians’ fees, create work offers, and prepare financial reports and projections related to artistic projects
- Oversee the timeline for musician hiring and orchestra seating for projects in coordination with Personnel Manager and Artistic Directors
- Oversee programming database and calendar of artistic activities
- In partnership with the Executive Director, communicate with contracted soloists, composers and arrangers regarding fees. Prepare and finalize memorandums of understanding and artist agreement contracts for guest artists, composers, and arrangers; and establish delivery deadlines for newly commissioned works.
- Process musician payroll through Quickbooks
- In partnership with the Executive and Artistic Directors, and the musicians’ Review Committee, update The Knights’ Code of Practice as necessary
- Compile and prepare all printed program materials to share with Opus 3 & presenters, including program notes, program listing, musician roster, biographies, press photos, song texts
- Work with the Executive Director and Operations Coordinator on marketing assets that can be used to promote upcoming performances
- Coordinate with Artistic Directors and Director of Educational Programming on planning for educational activities
- Along with the Operations Coordinator, ascertain public announcement/ticketing dates for all performances for website updates and email blasts
- Advance the work of musician-led committees, including the Review Committee, and the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee
- Oversee the annual Innovation Fund application & review processes
- Other duties as assigned
Our Ideal Candidate
Please apply if you have:
- Impeccable communication skills and the ability to work closely with a team in a close, collaborative manner
- 3-5 years arts management experience and knowledge of performance procedures and practices, touring and recording
- Strong knowledge of classical music in particular, along with other musical genres
- The ability to create, streamline and oversee systems, policies, and processes related to artistic planning
- Project management experience
- Solid organization skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize across several active projects
- Software acumen and the ability to manage, use, learn the following software and systems: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Quickbooks Online, and Squarespace
- Good Morning
Today’s Highlights: The most significant institutional rupture right now is the battle for funding in Washington. In a major rebuke to Trump, the U.S. House has voted to fully fund the NEA, NEH, and the Smithsonian, moving to protect the nation’s primary cultural stewards. This spirit of defiance extends to the Voice of America, as a bipartisan spending bill has allocated $643 million for the agency, bucking a direct shutdown order from the White House (The Washington Post (MSN)). Meanwhile, as the Washington National Opera prepares to leave the Kennedy Center, legal experts explain why the National Symphony Orchestra would find it nearly impossible to follow suit, regardless of the politics (William Ford).
The relationship between creativity and technology is reaching a new level of friction. While Bandcamp has officially prohibited music created by AI to preserve “human connection”, media organizations are lashing out at Big Tech, alleging that Google “cheated” media out of essential advertising revenue while breaking traditional business models (The Atlantic). This automated pressure is even reaching the consumer’s wallet, with warnings that personalized pricing algorithms are now tailoring the cost of goods and services based on individual browsing patterns and locations (The Walrus).
Despite these digital pressures, the hunger for physical, immersive experiences is growing. The immersive theater company Punchdrunk is turning video games into live-action multiplayer experiences (The Guardian), while a revival of Regency-style balls is seeing fans of Jane Austen and Bridgerton flocking to historical dance floors (The Guardian).
Finally, we look at the shifting nature of artistic legacy. A newly released trove of Harper Lee’s letters offers a rare glimpse into her aversion to public attention and her thoughts on Truman Capote (The New York Times). Philadelphia prepares to move the iconic Rocky statue to the top of the Art Museum’s steps (Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)), and we note the quiet closure of SXSW Sydney, a casualty of “prevailing market conditions” (ArtsHub (Australia)).
All our stories below.
- Turning A Video Game Into Immersive Theater
That’s what Punchdrunk, the éminence grise of immersive companies, is doing at its southeast London headquarters. Lander 23 is an IRL multiplayer game in which teams of four audience members/players are split into two squads: “fields” who navigate an alien landscape and “drivers” who give them instructions on where to go. – The Guardian
- Trump Eyes a Site For His National Garden of American Heroes
It was not clear which section of the park the White House is considering, but the southern tip of West Potomac Park — a short walk from the Jefferson Memorial — has largely been used for athletic fields. – Washington Post
- Jane-Ites On The Dance Floor: Austen And “Bridgerton” Fans Are Reviving Regency-Style Balls
With period dress and steps learned from contemporary manuals (which include notation of the steps), historical dance societies in Britain gather in ballrooms to do The Triple Minor, the Duchess of Devonshire’s Reel, and the dance Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet did in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice adaptation, Mr. Beveridge’s Maggot. – The Guardian
THEATRE
VISUAL
- Will Google Ever Have To Pay For Breaking Things?
Big Tech platforms didn’t just out-compete media organizations for the bulk of the advertising-revenue pie. They also cheated them out of much of what was left over, and got away with it. – The Atlantic
- Is Personalization Making Prices Higher?
The Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project warns automated tools are reshaping what Canadians are charged for essential goods and services, including groceries and fuel. Companies can now use software to tailor prices based on everything from our browsing patterns, location, loyalty history, device type, and operating system. – The Walrus
- As AI Takes Over, Making Art Might Be The Last Refuge
Great art is impossible without some measure of ego. – LitHub
- Texas Has Taken Plato Off The Menu
A philosophy professor was ordered to remove Plato’s Symposium from the list of assigned readings for the class “Contemporary Moral Issues.” Plato fell victim to a policy adopted by the university in the fall, which states that classes cannot “advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity.” – The Atlantic
- What A Photograph Might Tell Us About Consciousness
When I am photographing humans, I want to hear about their lives and aspirations. I care about their aesthetic sensibilities, what they are wearing, how they want to present themselves. Photographing an object feels different. I still savor the aesthetics of my subject, but my appreciation extends back to the object’s creator. – The New Yorker
