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- A Bad Omen: At Le Moulin Rouge In Paris, The Blades Fell Off The Red Windmill
“The blades fell on to the street below in the early hours of the morning. The cause of the collapse is not clear. Police say there were no injuries. The first three letters of the Moulin Rouge sign also fell off.” – BBC
- The Onion Has Been Sold To A Very Apt Buyer
“Chicago-based firm Global Tetrahedron — which shares a name with a mock corporation that served as a long-running gag on the satirical news site and was featured in its staffers’ 1999 book Our Dumb Century — has purchased The Onion (from) G/O Media.” – HuffPost
- Godard Finished This Film The Day Before He Died. It’s Premiering Next Month At Cannes.
“Scénarios is an 18-minute short that the film-maker finished in 2022 the day before he died via an assisted suicide procedure in Switzerland. Godard also made an accompanying 34-minute introduction which is a combination of ‘still and moving images, halfway between reading and seeing’ that will be screened alongside it.” – The Guardian
- Esperanza Spalding, Chay Yew, Nataki Garrett Among Winners Of $525,000 Doris Duke Artist Awards
The MacArthur-like prizes, given annually to up to six artists working in contemporary dance, theater, and jazz, go this year to theater directors Chay Yew and Nataki Garrett, dance artists Shamel Pitts and Acosia Red Elk, and jazz musicians esperanza spalding and Miguel Zenón. – Doris Duke Foundation
- The Louvre Is Considering Moving Mona Lisa To Its Own Underground Room
“A recent survey showed tourists did not enjoy the experience (of seeing the famous portrait), with comments ranging from ‘never been so disappointed’ to ‘torture.'” Says the museum’s director, “Moving the Mona Lisa to a separate room could put an end to public disappointment.” – The Telegraph (UK) (MSN)
- The Recycle Wars: When Literature Begets Literature
The rewriting of old books is hardly a new practice, though it’s one that critics often like to complain about. Doesn’t anyone have an original idea? Can’t we just leave the classics alone? – The New York Times
- Behind San Francisco Conservatory’s Big Bets On The Future
“At Curtis, it’s just the music, but [at SFCM] we tell you [that] you’ll know something about how the music business works and we think you should know something about risk-taking. … And now we’ve expanded to say you should think about how performance experiences will be successful in the future.” – San Francisco Classical Voice
- How Losing Non-Compete Clauses Will Affect Hollywood
“The new FTC rule shines a klieg light on how best to retain quality employees in the industry — noncompetes are on their way out, so companies need a better solution.” – Hollywood Reporter
- Arts Council England Is Broken. Theatre Leaders Have Some Ideas To Fix It
Leaders from across the theatre sector have outlined their vision for a reformed Arts Council England, warning that an unchanged funding body could stoke competition for cash in its current “binary system of extremes”. – The Stage
- Poet Leslie Sainz
We’re celebrating National Poetry Month with 2021 NEA Literature Fellow and poet Leslie Sainz who discusses her debut poetry collection, “Have You Been Long Enough at Table.” Sainz reads from her collection and talks about its major themes including the ambiguity, displacement, and impact of cultural heritage as a daughter of Cuban immigrants. She discusses the variety of poetic forms used in her collection, allowing form to be guided by the emotional and thematic demands of her work. Sainz also talks about the impact of receiving a 2021 NEA Literature Fellowship for Poetry on her career and the validation it provided and offers advice to other poets and writers, especially regarding the NEA fellowship application process. Sainz also discusses her involvement as a judge in the NEA’s Poetry Out Loud competition and shares her experiences from organizing regional competitions to judging the national semifinals and her appreciation for the performative and memorization components that enhance both the understanding and the emotional experience of poetry. She also gives us a glimpse into her upcoming project, tentatively titled “I Believe in Evil and Evil Believes in You,” exploring new thematic territories and expanding her creative boundaries. And, on April 17, the day after our conversation, Leslie Sainz’s collection , “Have You Been Long Enough at Table” was awarded the 2024 Audre Lorde Award for Lesbian Poetry!
For a transcript, click here
- Study: New Zealanders’ Participation In The Arts
Among the encouraging stats, participation in the arts has reached its highest level since the survey began in 2005, up to 54%. Young people, deaf and disabled, Māori and Pacific peoples participate in the arts most frequently. Engagement in the arts has had a bump too, up three per cent from the last survey at 78%. – Big Idea
- Study: Our Perception Of Time Is Influenced By What We Experience
When viewing larger or less-cluttered scenes, participants were more likely to experience time dilation; thinking that they had viewed the picture for longer than they actually did. The opposite effect — time constriction — occurred when viewing smaller-scale, more cluttered images. – Nature
- Standup Comedian Asks Mother With Fussy Baby To Leave Venue, Brouhaha Breaks Out
“Comedian Arj Barker’s interaction with a mother who brought a seven-month-old baby to his comedy show in Melbourne on Saturday night has sparked outrage, sympathy and debate about the woman’s decision to bring her infant to the gig and his decision to ask her to leave.” – The Guardian
- No-Name Philadelphia Pops Orchestra Now Wants The Name
The self-organized group of musicians playing under the No Name Pops banner is negotiating with the family of late pianist and conductor Peter Nero to acquire the Philly Pops name. – Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
- Bringing Professional Ballet To Green Bay, Wisconsin
Pacific Northwest Ballet principals Kyle Davis and Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan had long wanted to bring fully professional dance to Davis’s hometown. After several years of preparation and (of course) delay because of the pandemic, the first Green Bay Ballet Festival is now underway. – Pointe Magazine
- How America Got Hooked On Credit Card Culture
By the late 1960s, bankers increasingly saw credit cards, which combined innovative information technology with access to affluent consumer markets, as the road to the future – as the key to innovating around the restrictive financial rules. – Aeon
- Opera Philadelphia Picks A New General Director
Anthony Roth Costanzo, 41, has a history with Philadelphia going back almost 30 years. His first appearance at the Academy of Music was in 1996 at the tender age of 14, performing the Shepherd Boy in Puccini’s “Tosca,” in a traveling production created by Luciano Pavarotti. – WHYY
- Washington National Opera Institutes New Award For Trans/Nonbinary Singers
“On May 1, the Washington National Opera will recognize transgender singer Katherine Goforth as the inaugural recipient of” the True Voice Award, to be given triennially and “intended to help support the training of transgender and nonbinary opera singers, as well as increase their visibility in the industry.” – The Washington Post (MSN)
- How AI Will Be (Is) Wrecking The Internet
LLMs have begun to disrupt the traditional relationship between writer and reader. Type how to fix broken headlight into a search engine, and it returns a list of links to websites and videos that explain the process. Ask an LLM the same thing and it will just tell you how to do it. – The Atlantic
- How Dallas Turned Into A Literary Hot Spot
“Today Dallas is home to one of the most dynamic, international literary scenes in the country, inspired in many ways by the infectious, D.I.Y. energy of Deep Vellum, now one of the country’s largest publishers of translated literature, and (independent bookstore) Wild Detectives.” – The New York Times
- John McWhorter Writes That Sounds Of Protest Preclude John Cage Performance. But…
For people familiar with Cage’s work, McWhorter’s argument appeared antithetical to the spirit of “4’33.” Cage’s conception of silence, though heavily and often debated, went beyond the idea of serene nothingness. See, for example, his explanation of listening to traffic. – Mother Jones
- Venice’s Day-Tripper Entry Fee Starts Today — And Some Venetians Are Protesting
The €5 charge is meant to discourage overcrowding and pay for extra upkeep costs. Yet, says one activist, “You can’t impose an entrance fee to a city; all they’re doing is transforming it into a theme park. This is a bad image for Venice … I mean, are we joking?” – The Guardian
- Venice’s New Entry Fee For Day-Trippers — An Explainer
Why it was introduced, on what dates will it be charged, who does and doesn’t have to pay, where does and doesn’t the fee apply, how it will be implemented, how to buy a ticket, and what will happen to you if you’re caught sneaking in without paying. – The Guardian
- The New Law Requiring The Sale Of TikTok Is Going To Make A Great Big Mess
“Setting aside the possibility that the courts declare the law unconstitutional, here are (some) of the glaring logistical issues facing the legislation: First, recommendation algorithms … are part of China’s export-control list. … This might make for a tough sell, which raises the second issue: Who is going to buy TikTok?” – The Atlantic (MSN)
- Harvey Weinstein’s Rape Conviction Overturned By New York State’s Highest Court
“We conclude that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes,” said the 4-3 decision by the New York Court of Appeals. “The remedy for these egregious errors is a new trial.” – AP
- NPR Has Serious Problems. They’re Well Beyond Any Alleged Bias.
“Internal documents … and interviews with more than two dozen current and former public radio executives show how profoundly the nonprofit is struggling to succeed in the fast-changing media industry. It is grappling with a declining audience and falling revenue — and internal conflict about how to fix it.” – The New York Times
- There Is “No Evidence” That Our Egon Schiele Was Looted By Nazis, Says Art Institute Of Chicago
“The Art Institute of Chicago contends that decades of investigation and litigation have concluded that a watercolor it now holds was never stolen by the Nazis from a cabaret performer who later died in a concentration camp — but rather was legally sold by the man’s heirs.” – Chicago Sun-Times
- The Pompidou Center’s Business Model Is “Unstable,” Find Auditors
“An audit report conducted by France’s Court of Auditors revealed that the Centre Pompidou‘s economic model is unsustainable. The museum faces financial strain from an ongoing renovation project of its primary institution in Paris and the creation of a new branch in Massy, France.” – ARTnews
- Director of Development – National Black Theatre
About the Opportunity
National Black Theatre (NBT) seeks a Director of Development with an energetic, entrepreneurial attitude, a collaborative spirit, and a well-founded dedication to and excitement for the mission of this organization. This leader will be an expert project manager and relationship builder, skilled in various aspects of fundraising and knowledgeable about the New York City performing arts philanthropic landscape.
They will join the organization at a critical moment, as NBT prepares to open their new arts complex on 125th Street and 5th Avenue in Harlem in 2026. Responsible for setting and managing an annual fundraising plan in line with the organization’s current goals, relationships, and team, the Director of Development will oversee two to three staff members and collaborate with fundraising consultants.
Thoughtful and committed, they will have the opportunity to build off of the strength of NBT’s mission and longstanding leadership to see the organization through the completion of a capital campaign and the transition into the new space. They will bring a new perspective on how to establish systems and structures to help internal operations, energize the Board, and steward community members to build stronger donor relationships. This position has the chance to advance NBT’s development approach in many ways and to extend its artistic reach for years to come. It will require equal parts creativity, flexibility, and persistence.
About National Black Theatre
National Black Theatre (NBT) was founded in 1968 by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, an award-winning performer, director, visionary entrepreneur and champion of the Black Arts Movement. NBT has broken ground as the country’s first revenue-generating Black art complex, as the longest-running Black theater in New York City, as acquisitor of the largest collection of Nigerian New Sacred Art in the Western Hemisphere, and as one of the oldest theaters founded and consistently operated by a woman of color in the nation.
More than five decades after its founding, NBT’s core mission remains the same: to be the premier producer of transformative theatre — theatre that enhances African American cultural identity by telling authentic, autonomous, multifaceted stories of the Black experience. NBT is envisioned as a means to educate, enrich, entertain, empower and inform national consciousness around social justice issues that impact our communities.
In 2023, NBT made its Broadway debut with the co-production and transfer of FAT HAM, making it the third Black theatre company in the history of ‘The Great White Way’ to do so. Additionally, NBT has been included in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
Holding tight to the founding principles of ownership, self-determination, and human transformation, NBT continues to reach brand new heights with over 350 original theatre works, many of which have toured world-wide, including a partnership with the National Black Theatre of Sweden. The work and accomplishments of NBT have solidified its position at the leading edge of Black theatre development, production, and innovation, activating resources for the entire arts sector. NBT is an AEA Equity house and a member of Theatre Communications Group, A.R.T./New York, Harlem Arts Alliance and the Coalition of Theatres of Color.
Under the current leadership of Chief Executive Officer Sade Lythcott, daughter of the beloved Dr. Teer, and Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan McCrory, NBT remains anchored in the Liberationist spirit of the past, tapped into the beating pulse of the present and serves as a catalyzing force for our collective creative future.
Job Description
NBT seeks a Director of Development who can envision a long-term approach to fundraising while also setting and reaching tactical, practical benchmarks. At this transitional moment for the organization, this leader will take the work already started to the next level of sustainability and maturity. The responsibilities of the role include:
Organizational Leadership & Strategy
- Collaborate with the CEO, COO, and Executive Artistic Director to create a holistic, multi-year strategic fundraising plan, which maps the goals for sustaining and growing the organization’s portfolio of contributed income streams through government, foundation, and corporate and individual funding and/or sponsorships
- Understand the organization’s planned growth in the coming years, from a budget of $4.5M to $6M+ once the building opens, to ensure that contributed revenue strategies dovetail with approaches to and goals for earned income
- Work with the Marketing Director to develop strategies that expand institutional/brand awareness through donation programs and opportunities, community relations, speaking engagements, awards applications, etc.
- Strategize with the Finance team to create and manage the annual development budget and articulate which projects and line items to target for fundraising appeals
- Assess the operations of the development team and consider how the department may evolve and grow when possible
Fundraising
- Create and execute fundraising plans that grow NBT’s individual donor base through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Build structures and practices for all members of the team to cultivate major gifts and oversee the solicitation of ongoing support via direct mail and digital giving
- Plan and manage both recurring and one-time events that intersect with NBT’s programming while currently itinerant, to engage existing and potential donors
- Begin the planning and management of events that will draw in funders, donors, and sponsors and celebrate NBT’s community during the opening year of the new space
- Coordinate with NBT’s artistic/production team to connect and engage current and potential donors with the creative process and the development of NBT’s projects
- Oversee institutional giving efforts by collaborating with NBT’s external fundraising consultants, Latz & Co., to grow and support the current pipeline of institutional (foundation, government, and corporate) funders
- Maintain and improve the department’s systems to submit funding applications and reports
- Partner with NBT’s COO to strengthen relationships with government agencies, elected officials, and other public funders
- In collaboration with NBT’s CEO and capital campaign consultant, act as a leader in the final stages of this $80 million capital campaign (of which nearly two-thirds has been raised), engaging the campaign consultant, conducting prospect research, and soliciting gifts
- Work with the CEO to identify corporate sponsorships and other dedicated funding opportunities to support the opening of NBT’s new space
- Supervise NBT’s Development Manager and Coordinator as a coach and mentor, creating a positive team atmosphere and promoting opportunities for professional growth
- Strategically plan for potential growth in the development department, as the budget size and needs of the organization grow
- Ensure that the development team is operating efficiently to complete ongoing tasks associated with prospect research, gift acknowledgements, and other donor processes
Board Development
- Collaborate with NBT’s Leadership Team and Board Chair to create a plan for growing and activating NBT’s Board of Directors
- Serve as a key liaison to the Board, keeping them informed and engaged on a number of fronts, including the cultivation of new donors and Board members
- Establish and manage a Development Committee of the Board
Organizational Cross-collaboration
- Maximize NBT’s use of a new CRM (Raiser’s Edge) to track contributions and communications with donors of all types and to create monthly, quarterly and annual reports tracking the financial results of fundraising activities for review by the Finance and Senior Leadership Teams
- Communicate with the finance staff to generate timely, accurate reports on fundraising goals and progress toward them
- Oversee the gathering of information and materials for grant proposals, reports and updates, and ensure grant compliance and delivery of expected grant outcomes
- Work with NBT’s external fundraising and PR consultants and in-house marketing staff to tailor collateral and communications campaigns to current and prospective donors, utilizing tools like NBT’s e-blasts/newsletters, website, and social media
Qualifications:
- 7+ years of progressive experience in development, including significant time maintaining productive working relationships with board members, donors, and community members directly as well as successful work on capital campaigns
- Deep appreciation/enthusiasm for the mission, history, and culture of National Black Theatre
- Knowledge of and experience in the New York City performing arts landscape
- Comfort and confidence in talking about and asking for money
- Eagerness to learn about NBT’s organizational development and a thoughtful understanding of how to build a culture of philanthropy in line with the organization
- Demonstrated ability in building, cultivating, and sustaining relationships over time, and collaborating with senior leadership on relationship management
- Experience using a CRM, creating dashboards, and running reports to fully leverage a donor database
- Demonstrated experience conceptualizing, executing, and adapting lessons learned from fundraising events
- Solid understanding of budgeting principles
- Adeptness for project and people management and demonstrated investment in the professional development of team members
- Strong planning and organizational abilities
- Excellent persuasive writing and editing skills, as well as a keen attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills
- Excellent computer skills including proficiencies in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that cis men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role.
Compensation
This is a full-time role exempt from overtime, reporting to the CEO. The salary is in the $100,000-$125,000 range. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance; and access to flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) account, and an annual wellness stipend after a year of employment. NBT provides team members unlimited planned time off, up to 10 days of unplanned time off, and supports professional development opportunities when possible. This position is currently hybrid and requires being in person in the office in Harlem with regularity. Occasionally, there will be a need to work on weekends and in the evenings in order to participate in NBT programming or cultivation events.
Application Instructions
The Director of Development search is being conducted on behalf of National Black Theatre by Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, a New York-based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries. The search is being led by Search Consultant Brenna Thomas, in consultation with and support from the TOCG search team.
To apply, visit the online application (https://tinyurl.com/yevjuty2) and submit your materials. Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.
The priority application deadline for this search is May 24, 2024. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration. While we will still accept and consider applications after this date, we encourage you to apply as early as possible for the best chance at being considered for the position. Please note that meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview.
National Black Theatre (NBT) is an equal opportunity employer.
National Black Theatre recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.
- Literary Critic Helen Vendler, 90
In an era dominated by poststructuralist and politically influenced literary criticism, Ms. Vendler, who taught at Harvard for more than 30 years, adhered to the old-fashioned method of close reading, going methodically line by line, word by word, to expose a poem’s inner workings and emotional roots. – The New York Times
- Cincinnati Symphony Picks A New Music Director
Romanian conductor Christian Macelaru, who holds prestigious posts in Europe, leading both the Orchestre National de France and the WDR Sinfonieorchester in Cologne, Germany, will succeed the veteran conductor Louis Langrée, the ensemble’s leader since 2013. – The New York Times
- Rise Of The Dumbphone
The growing dumbphone fervor may be motivated, in part, by the discourse around child safety online. Parents are increasingly confronted with evidence that sites like Instagram and TikTok intentionally try to hook their children. – The New Yorker
- Lost Klimt Painting Sells For $32M
It was commissioned by a family of Jewish industrialists in 1917, a year before Klimt’s death. However, there are many unanswered questions about the painting and debates about who the woman in the portrait is, as well as what happened to the painting during the Nazi era. – BBC
- Four Finalists For This Year’s Turner Prize
The Turner Prize carries a £25,000 purse; shortlisted artists will be awarded £10,000. The Turner Prize exhibition at Tate Britain opens on September 25 and runs through 16 February, 2025. – ARTnews
- NPR CEO Responds To Bias Charges
“All of this frankly is a bit of a distraction relative to the transformation our organization needs to undergo in order to best serve our mandate,” Maher said in an interview. – The Wall Street Journal