EMPLOYMENT

Senior Curator & Creative Producer

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Senior Curator & Creative Producer


At National Sawdust, we believe that artistic expression empowers us all to create a more joyful and just world. We curate and produce music and artistic works rooted in curiosity, experimentation, innovation, and inclusivity. We present our work by engaging communities of artists and audiences at our state-of-the-art Williamsburg home and on our digital stage. www.nationalsawdust.org

As a composer, I believe the role of an artist in the 21st century is that of creator, educator, activist, and entrepreneur. I believe that 21st-century artists need to be thinking about how they can affect their communities, on a local and global scale. At National Sawdust, supporting emerging artists is our core mission, nurturing a wide array of voices who are collectively reshaping the landscape of new music for this new century.  –Paola Prestini, Composer, Co-Founder and Artistic Director

A vital member of National Sawdust’s Senior Staff, the Senior Curator & Creative Producer is one of the driving forces behind the identity of the organization’s curatorial programming. This position includes close involvement with the Artistic Director and programming team to lead curation of all programs including series, guest curators, artists-in-residence, special events, etc. This position is responsible for curating the majority of National Sawdust’s arts presenting season, as well as producing select artist projects.

GOALS:

  • To continue National Sawdust’s legacy of music discovery that is open, inclusive, and based in active mentorship of emerging artists, while building new audiences and communities of music devotees.
  • To continue to raise the profile of National Sawdust by curating incredible world-class, genre-defying, experimental and bold new music-based programs by both emerging and established artists.
  • To make National Sawdust a global destination for immersive spatial sound experiences. 
  • To cultivate and foster a devoted community of artists who know that National Sawdust is the premiere home for experimentation, incubation to dissemination works.
  • To curate and book programs that are mission-driven, artistically excellent, and financially sustainable.
  • Excellent relationship development and management skills

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Research artists and artistic trends across musical genres, and other artistic disciplines
  • Curate, plan, and negotiate artist fees for a presenting season  including series, guest curators, artists-in-residence, family programming, and special events as needed.
  • Process and respond to a high volume of in-coming artist, partner, commissioning, etc. requests 
  • Work with Managing Director and Senior Producer &Artistic Administrator to create and update department budgets
  • In collaboration with the Senior Producer & Artistic Administrator, provide marketing, box office, and production departments with information needed to advance programs. Onsite support for programs to  ensure success for the audience and program.
  • Support marketing efforts for all activities by attending weekly meetings, and ideating with the marketing team.
  • Foster ongoing collaborative relationships with artists for existing and future programs.
  • Cultivate relationships with agents, managers, sponsors, arts and other institutions for future programs.

  • Tracks industry trends and needs, attends advocacy and networking events and meetings, active participation in the broader arts community.

ADMINISTRATION / OUTREACH:

  • Attend programming, marketing, PR, and production meetings (in addition to other meetings as required).
  • Attend meetings with artists and prospective partners.
  • Serve as a spokesperson for National Sawdust in the arts community, at conferences, and beyond.

REQUIRED/DESIRE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

  • Strong network of artists, agents, managers, and industry partners both in NYC and globally. 
  • Experience programming a wide range of musical genres and artistic disciplines
  • Interest in a wide variety of art forms and cultural movements and trends and follows cultural trends in arts presenting 
  • Strong internal moral compass that aligns with National Sawdust mission
  • Interest and experience in audience development and engagement strategies
  • Thrives in a fast-paced high volume environment
  • Ability to work cross-functionally with multiple departments and stakeholders
  • Attention to detail while always keeping the bigger picture in mind
  • Self-starter who recognizes when things need to be done and takes initiative to do them
  • Knowledge of production and advancing programs for artistic programs
  • Ability to spec programs and rentals and other opportunities from a financial and production and marketing perspective
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including proven diplomacy, tact, and ability to interact successfully with a wide range of people while demonstrating deep personal and professional commitment to anti-racism, inclusion, equity, diversity, and accessibility.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
  • Demonstrable managerial experience with proven ability to coordinate on behalf of a diverse team, manage budgets, and meet goals.
  • Ability to develop and sustain professional relationships and collaborate internally and externally for the benefit of the organization.
  • Budget creation and management skills.
  • Ability to work with wide range of people across different cultural industries (ie. jazz vs. opera vs. touring rock shows).
  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • Understanding of market rates for commissioning and artist fees.

Compensation:
Starting Salary $62,500 with competitive benefits and vacation package.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law. National Sawdust is an equal opportunity employer. 

Application:
Please submit a cover letter and resume to: candidates@nationalsawdust.org with Senior Curator, Creative Producer in the subject line.

NS MISSION AND COMMITMENT TO ANTI-RACISM AND INCLUSION

The National Sawdust mission is to cultivate an ecosystem of learning, incubation, and dissemination rooted in open and inclusive music and artistic curiosity--driven by the belief that artistic expression empowers us all to be better people and create a more just world. National Sawdust programs seek to lay a foundation for civic and artistic dialogue that takes on the complex realities of gender disparities, racial inequities, climate change, and disabilities that are both visible and invisible. National Sawdust acknowledges that it is not enough to believe in racial and social justice without taking action to confront racism and end racial and social injustice. National Sawdust is committed to centering the arts and artists in the process and inherent challenges associated with its goal of establishing a more just world. For more information about this commitment and actions underway, please click here. DEI/Anti-Racism Commitment & Actions

All National Sawdust Employees are required to read and agree to the NS Code of Ethics

NATIONAL SAWDUST CODE OF ETHICS

As a long-standing member of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals(APAP), National Sawdust adheres to its Code of Ethics for its members and Code of Conduct for its members conference in all of its programs and activities. All APAP members are held accountable for upholding the Code of Ethics and are required to agree and abide by the Code of Ethics annually as a condition of APAP membership.

The Code of Ethics stipulates the following basis for Personal and Professional Integrity:

  • APAP members shall adhere to the highest ethical standards because it is the right thing to do. 
  • Adherence to contractual obligations and all applicable legal requirements is the minimum standard of expected behavior. As members of APAP, National Sawdust embraces the spirit of the law, often going beyond legal requirements. 
  • As members of APAP, our work practice demonstrates concern for the interests and well-being of individuals and organizations affected by our actions.
  • By virtue of their positions of leadership, APAP members shall be responsible to each other and to  the artists represented by members.  
  • All staff, board members and volunteers of APAP members shall act with honesty, integrity and  openness in all their dealings as representatives of their organization. Members shall promote a  working environment that values respect, fairness and integrity.  
  • Members shall conduct all negotiations, transactions and dealings in good faith and with integrity and  honesty. Members will communicate with each other clearly and on a timely basis;  
  • Members shall conduct working relationships with colleagues in all sectors of the field that are based  on mutual respect, fairness and openness;  
  • Members shall not breach professional confidence. Members are encouraged to be circumspect,  judicious, fair minded and diplomatic;  
  • Members will respect the integrity of the mission of other members. Policies of member organizations  are encouraged to be written, clearly articulated and officially adopted;  
  • Members will seek to understand and respect the organizational capacity and needs of other  members and members are expected to have the capacity to carry out the programs they offer and/or  present effectively. Members will be forthcoming and truthful about their professional experience and  qualifications.  

The National Sawdust mission is to cultivate an ecosystem of learning, incubation, and dissemination rooted in open and inclusive music curiosity and driven by the belief that artistic expression empowers us all to create a more just world. National Sawdust is also committed to the current field-wide efforts to reframe and strengthen the ethics we bring to our interactions, partnerships, and programs including the APAP Equitable Partnership Working Group, the Dance/USA Joint Working Group for Equitable Partnership, and the Creating New Futures Document: Working Guidelines for Ethics and Equity in Presenting Dance & Performance.

Complementing the APAP Code of Ethics, National Sawdust is committed to maintaining a workplace free of prohibited employment conduct, including discrimination or harassment on the basis of any characteristic protected by law; retaliation for engaging in protected activity; and failing to provide reasonable accommodation(s) for disability or religion. The Company encourages individuals who believe they are being harassed to firmly and promptly notify the alleged offender that his or her behavior is unwelcome. However, we also recognize that perceived power and status disparities between an alleged offender and a victim may make such a confrontation difficult. Therefore, whether or not you discuss the incident with the alleged offender, we ask that individuals who believe they have been subjected to harassment report the incident to their immediate supervisor.

We encourage prompt reporting of complaints so that rapid and appropriate action may be taken. If you would like to report or communicate on any matter, please write to us at:  externalaffairs@nationalsawdust.org

National Sawdust will not in any way retaliate against an individual who makes a report of perceived harassment; nor will we permit any employee to do so. Retaliation is a serious violation of the harassment policy and anyone who feels they have been subjected to any acts of retaliation should immediately report such conduct. Any person who retaliates against another individual for reporting any perceived acts of harassment will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge. All allegations of harassment will be promptly investigated. National Sawdust will endeavor to maintain confidentiality throughout the investigatory process to the extent practical and appropriate under the circumstances.