Ars Nova's Emerging Leaders Group Fellowships

ABOUT ARS NOVA:

Ars Nova exists to discover, develop and launch singular theater, music and comedy artists in the early stages of their professional careers. Our dynamic slate of programs supports outside-the-box thinking and encourages innovative, genre-bending work. Dubbed by The New York Times as a “fertile incubator of offbeat theater,” Ars Nova blurs genres and subverts the status quo. With our feverish bounty of programming, we are the stomping ground and launching pad for visionary, adventurous artists of all stripes. By providing a protective environment where risk-taking and collaboration are paramount, Ars Nova gives voice to a new generation of diverse artists and audiences, pushing the boundaries of live entertainment by nurturing creative ideas into smart, surprising new work.

Ars Nova presents over 100 unique live events each year, supporting over 500 emerging theater, comedy, and music artists. With our feverish bounty of programming, we are the stomping ground and launching pad for visionary, adventurous artists of all stripes. As NYC’s premiere development hub, we create an environment where the weird kids thrive and where no idea is too crazy to be possible. These collaborations result in pirate-puppet-rock-odysseys, electro-pop-operas, farces-in-burlesque, nights of mind-bending magic, plays performed mostly in silence, immersive Korean-pop music factory experiences, and everything and anything in between.

Ars Nova has been honored with an Obie Award and a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics’ Circle for sustained quality and commitment to the development and production of new work. Notable past productions include: The New York Times critic’s pick Dr. Ride’s American Beach House by Liza Birkenmeier, directed by Katie Brook; “Outstanding Musical” Lortel Award-winner and The New York Times’ “Best of 2018,” Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future, created by Andrew R. Butler and directed by Jordan Fein; “Outstanding Musical” Lortel Award-winner KPOP, created by Jason Kim, Max Vernon, Helen Park and Woodshed Collective, directed by Teddy Bergman; “Best New American Theatre Work,” OBIE Award-winner and “one of the best new plays in the last 25 years” (The New York Times), Underground Railroad Game by Jennifer Kidwell and Scott R. Sheppard with Lightning Rod Special, directed by Taibi Magar ; “Outstanding Musical” Lortel Award-winner FUTURITY, by César Alvarez with The Lisps, directed by Sarah Benson; The New York Times’ and New York Post’s “Best of 2015,” Small Mouth Sounds by Bess Wohl, directed by Rachel Chavkin; Time Out New York’s “Best of 2014,” JACUZZI by The Debate Society, directed by Oliver Butler; the Tony Award-winning smash-hit Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy, directed by Rachel Chavkin; Jollyship the Whiz-Bang by Nick Jones and Raja Azar, directed by Sam Gold; the world premiere of the 2009 season’s most-produced play boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, directed by Alex Timbers; the show that put Bridget Everett on the map, At Least It’s Pink by Everett, Michael Patrick King, and Kenny Mellman, directed by King; and Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail’s first New York production, Freestyle Love Supreme by Anthony Veneziale and Miranda, directed by Thomas Kail (Broadway 2019).

For this sustained quality and commitment to the development and production of new work, Ars Nova has been honored with an OBIE Award and a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics’ Circle.

ABOUT THE EMERGING LEADERS GROUP:
Ars Nova is looking for smart, motivated, young cultural leaders who are underrepresented in the theater field for our Emerging Leaders Group. More than just an internship, this hands-on training program makes you an integral part of the day-to-day operations of our office and the discovery, development and launch of our artists. Fellows learn the ins-and-outs of their department(s), and also participate in one or more of our all-staff Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Groups, which meet weekly to advance our anti-racism work. The Emerging Leaders Group also provides professional development and networking opportunities that prepare you to launch your career in arts administration.

Ars Nova is committed to building an equitable, diverse and inclusive community, and the Emerging Leaders Group Fellowships are aimed towards individuals from groups who have been historically underrepresented in the theater field, whether by race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, age, disability status, sexual orientation or any other personal characteristic. Emerging Leaders Group Fellowships are full-time training positions designed as pathways from school to the workforce, so current students are not eligible. A college degree is not necessary to apply. Applicants should be based in New York City. Fellows need access to WiFi, and a computer with a camera & microphone for remote work. Accommodations and resources can be provided if this would be a barrier to participation.

Ars Nova is now accepting applications for two seven-month Fellowship positions, which will span from November 2, 2020, through June 25, 2021, with a two-week hiatus from December 21–January 3.

Here’s a basic breakdown of the Fellow experience:

You’ll work and train as part of the Ars Nova team, 35 hours a week.
The majority of your work will be during our regular administrative office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 am-6 pm, with the potential for some occasional evening and weekend hours.
You’ll receive a weekly stipend of $525 for each week you work.
The position will start remotely with some on-site workdays at our 54th Street Hub building in Hells Kitchen as needed. In accordance with our phased reopening safety plans, when the Ars Nova team transitions back to a more permanent on-site working schedule, so will this position.
You’ll have an all-access pass to see everything we produce for free!
You’ll participate in seminars and networking coffees with members of the larger New York theater community.

HOW TO APPLY
Fill out our online form, BELOW, where you’ll be asked some basic questions and to upload a personal statement and resume. Ars Nova staff will be in touch if we’d like to schedule an interview.

Ars Nova recognizes both that it is a predominantly white organization and that historic institutional practices have led to an exclusionary and harmful environment for Black, Indigenous and People of Color. We are actively working to become a more diverse, anti-racist, inclusive organization in all ways, across all our activities. Unraveling systems of power and privilege requires active engagement across our community of stakeholders and we acknowledge the complexity of the work ahead. We strongly encourage candidates of color, and/or from diverse backgrounds/underrepresented groups to apply. Ars Nova is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applications are due by 11:59 PM on October 12, 2020.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS
We’ve included more info below on the two positions and some of the skill sets that we look for within each.

FUNDRAISING & EVENT PRODUCING FELLOW
If you want to make art in New York City happen, you gotta find the money somewhere. This fellowship will be primarily focused in working with Ars Nova’s Development Team on a broad fundraising strategy to pay for Ars Nova’s wide array of artistic programs. Projects range from assisting on a 24-hour live Telethon to drafting grant proposals to assisting with Zoom happy hours for artists and donors. In addition to being part of the Fundraising Team, you will also work with the Manager of Artistic Programs to assist the Artistic staff with the administration of our artistic development programs, as well as covering digital theater and performance events on behalf of the company and making recommendations. Candidates should have great organizational skills, incredible attention-to-detail and a good rapport with people.

MANAGEMENT & MARKETING FELLOW
Working closely with both the Business Manager & Marketing Manager, this Fellow will gain insight into the day-to-day management of a non-profit theater with a broad overview of the entire organization with a foot in two wide-ranging departments that cover everything from event promotion to accounting; facilities management to audience services. Responsibilities will be wide-ranging, and could include data collection, research and analysis; drafting contracts; proofreading and editorial work on programs and emails; assisting with weekly finance reports; social network and website updates; light video/photo editing; and inventory management. The ideal candidate will have a can-do attitude and an attention to detail; strong writing, proofreading and organizational skills. Experience with Word, Excel, QuickBooks, Adobe Creative Suite, Google AdWords, Social Media Platforms, WordPress and/or any basic HTML knowledge is a plus, but not required!