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Position Opening: Program Associate / Coordinator, Folk Arts Education Programs
The Philadelphia Folklore Project seeks a full-time Program Associate to take primary responsibility for PFP's folk arts education programs. As a core staff member in a small shop, the Program Associate also participates in developing and implementing PFP's roster of public programs serving and supporting grassroots community groups in the Philadelphia area. We seek someone who wants to build a future in public interest folklore, with strong social change vision, and command of folk arts issues and possibilities. As Coordinator of Folk Arts Education Programs, she or he will be responsible for developing and implementing folk arts education programs serving 500 students annually in community sites and at the Folk Arts - Cultural Treasures Charter School (K-8), which PFP and Asian Americans United founded in 2005. Working with a talented team of educators and traditional artists, she or he will plan, implement and evaluate 15 school or community residencies annually, and integrate folk arts learnings into the school: framing content and structure of folk arts experiences; building out folk arts standards; managing logistics of residencies and ensembles (including schedules and budgets); developing contextual materials and resources for school use; producing professional development sessions for teaching artists and FACTS educators; documenting residencies and ensembles with video and media; ensuring quality evaluation of the program; and assisting in development and grant-writing to support and build these folk arts education efforts. The Program Associate will also share responsibilities for planning and implementing PFP's annual program offerings: Community Folklife Documentation Workshops supporting community members in conducting ethnographic and folklife fieldwork on social change issues in Philadelphia communities; exhibitions and programs featuring the work of local artists and community members; and media and publications sharing community folklife work more widely.
Skills needed: At least two years work experience in folk arts education and public folklore. Significant experience administering and coordinating team projects. Advanced degree in Folklore/Folklife, Public History, Ethnomusicology, Asian American Studies or allied field. Training or experience in elementary education a plus. Necessary skills include ability to work respectfully, equitably and comfortably with diverse people including community members, educators, artists and young people; awareness of immigrant communities and issues; familiarity with current folk arts practices in particular communities; writing skill; facility with video, audio and photographic documentation. Second language fluency highly valued (Mandarin or Cantonese would be especially helpful) as is engagement with social change issues.
The Philadelphia Folklore Project is a 23-year-old independent public folklife agency committed to sustaining the folk arts and cultures of the region's communities. We work for cultural equity by offering public education in the folk arts, technical assistance services, exhibitions and concerts, publications, and by maintaining an archive. We have a long history of collaborative projects and technical assistance related to local folk arts and culture, on which these efforts build. (See www.folkloreproject.org for more information. For more information about the Folk Arts - Cultural Treasures Charter School folk arts programs, visit http://www.culturetools.org/).
Full-time, beginning September 2010. The Philadelphia Folklore Project values diversity and we strongly encourage people of color and diverse workplace experiences to apply. Please send resume and letter of interest to Dr. Debora Kodish, Director, Philadelphia Folklore Project, 735 S. 50th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143 or pfp@folkloreproject.org. Competitive salary and benefits. Applications requested by July 15, 2010. Position open until filled.
In memorium: We mourn the passing and celebrate the life of valued friends of PFP. Joaquin Rivera, activist and musician, who began los Pleneros del Batey and more; his music was part of PFP's documentary with the late Rosemary Cubas about eminent domain abuse and the takings of peoples' homes. Ayesha Rahim, whose beautiful crowns graced the community, passed in December 2009. Peache Jarman, percussionst, teacher, musician - a man who was pivotal in developing Yoruba culture and music here. Read more. Dr. Archie Green, pioneering folklorist and organizer, passed on March 22. at 91. His work paved the way for PFP and many others. Read more about him. "Yes, indeedy" was the watchword for Harrison Ridley, Jr., who passed on February 19, 2009. Jazz historian and long-running radio host, Ridley helped track down sources for music in PFP's Plenty of Good Women Dancers documentary, when we were working to clear copyright, making the way easier with his encyclopedic knowledge. All of these people were generous, community-minded and deeply knowledgable: we are grateful for their presence. (Photo: Archie Green with "Mr. Dixie", an 11-foot-tall tin man - the subject of one of his books - at Dixie Sheet Metal Works, Falls Church, Virginia. Photo by David A. Taylor, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress).
PFP's membership drive is ON! Become a member and support local cultural heritage! Help us sustain community-based folk arts in these hard times, and in our 22nd year! We invite (and need) your help. Join Us.
Works in Progress. The next issue of our magazine features conversations with local Chinese and Vietnamese musicians, a special feature on our current exhibition (Under Autumn Moon: Reclaiming Time and Space in Chinatown) and thoughts from the President's House collaboration between Germaine Ingram, Bobby Zankel and John Dowell, who made amzing art in response to the experiences of enslaved Africans who labored in George Washington's Philadel;phia White House in the 1790s. Join PFP to get your own copy (or visit our Works in Progress page for free PDF downloads of other magazine issues profiling local traditional arts and artists).
Documentary in progress! This fall we will premiere our documentary about klezmer musician Elaine Hoffman Watts, using footage from our special Mother's Day klezmer concert, and drawing on dozens of interviews about the distinctive Ukrainian-Jewish klezmer repertoire of the Hoffman family. For a preview, watch our 3-minute video postcard "We play klezmer" featuring Elaine and Susan Watt or clips from the concert.
Broadcasts: Our video Plenty of Good Women Dancers is being broadcast on Philadelphia's new Community Access Cable: PhillyCAM!
Book and DVD/video sale! Give a gift of PFP publications and media - all about Philadelphia community arts. 25% off and 40% off if you are already a member. Download the order form.
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