The Arts Need Better Arguments

I have my own personal feelings about this article in today's Wall Street Journal. Let's just say I lost my job with a tiny non-profit due specifically to the lack of funding opportunities my organization would normally benefit from as a result of the ailing economy. The well has run dry as so many are competing for so little. You simply can not compare the financial stability of a New York Metropolitan Opera sized non-profit to the much smaller non-profits that are in greater abundance like the one I worked for. These days every little bit counts, even if it's "just" $50 million dollars. Maybe Mr. Sandow needs a reality check?

Happy President's Day

For all artists out there I thought this was pretty cool. Click on the title of this post and check out two of our favorite presidents covered in delicious frosting!

A sigh of relief...Although brief.

I'm pleased to know that my barrage of emails to government officials the past few weeks might have helped save the arts - and maybe a phone call from Robert Redford. Yes that's right. According to an article in today's New York Times, "Saving Federal Arts Funds: Selling Culture as an Economic Force" Mr. Redford made a last minute phone call to Nancy Pelosi last week that may have helped change the vote to reinstate the $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. This historical stimulus plan that includes support and protection of jobs in the non-profit sector hopefully becomes a reality tomorrow when President Obama signs the plan into action. But when will those of us effected by these job cuts actually see a change? It's been over 3 months now since that gloomy day in November when I was told my position with an arts education non-profit was going to be eliminated.  I never imagined with my experience, education and creative resourcefulness that I'd still be actively on the job hunt with very few leads and growing more frustrated by the day collecting unemployment benefits. Yeah, I know shut up with the whining right? So while trying to remain fervently optimistic about the near future, here's what I'm doing about being out of a job.

NETWORKING

I'm reaching out to anyone and everyone I know who might have a connection to employment. It's been humbling, and sometimes I truly feel like I'm begging. But I quickly realized the only way I'm going to find work is developing personal connections with PEOPLE. They may not have something to offer to you right away as far as a job. But creating personal connections helps attract opportunities that might otherwise not exist if you hadn't emailed or spoken to someone directly.

Places I've found to be helpful with networking in the arts...

ELNYA-Emerging Leaders of New York Arts
This is a Google Group that provides email updates about jobs and internships, arts advocacy news, networking and social events, book clubs, and many other opportunities for young artists in New York City. It's also one of the fastest networking groups for artists in the country.

Volunteer
I've been attending a lot of networking events in person, online and via webinar recently and everyone seems to be saying the same thing - VOLUNTEER! If you have a few hours of time, call up or email a few organizations that you are interested in to see if they need volunteers. I can probably guarantee they will need your help! The best way employers find workers is to hire within and that includes their network of volunteers!

Online Social Networks
Online websites such as Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, and Twitter are quickly becoming acceptable ways of reaching out to others in search of employment. I've found LinkedIn to be the most beneficial as it is more career oriented. I've been contacting others with similar interests, joining groups, and introducing myself by spreading the word about what I have to offer. Through these connections I've attracted some consulting work.

ORGANIZATIONAL SERVICES

Most of the services offered by these organizations are free so take full advantage of them!

The Actors Fund
This service organization has been around for a long time providing performing artists assistance with everything from health care and financial advising to the Actors Work Program that I've found to be incredibly helpful (at least boosting my spirit) with resources on finding work. The Actors Work program staff is fantastic and personable, yet incredibly overwhelmed with the influx of artists out of work. I've been impressed with the job search and networking sessions and looking forward to their 2 day resume writing workshop coming up. Check out www.actorsfund.org

Career Transition For Dancers
I worked for CTFD for awhile and am always shocked when I speak to dancers who know nothing about this amazing organization. CTFD provides career counseling to any dancer no matter what stage you are in your career (from high school all the way through retirement and beyond). Career Counselor Lauren Gordon is a wealth of resources when it comes to jobs and careers and counseling is FREE. You can either set up an appointment to meet with a counselor in New York, Chicago, or LA or you can speak to a counselor by phone anywhere in the country via a 1-800 number. CTFD also provides $2,000 scholarships for qualified dancers. Check out: www.careertransition.org

One-Stop Unemployment Centers
I recently learned about this service because I'm on unemployment and attendance is a requirement. I have not visited one of these sites yet, but have heard they can be incredibly helpful. There are several locations throughout all 5 boroughs of Manhattan.

Temp Agencies
These places (if you passed their required tests like typing etc.) used to be a sure fire way to employment. But it seems these days artists who normally would rely on temp work on a regular basis are finding it more difficult to support themselves as available work is no longer consistent. Many of these job placement agencies also require you to pay a fee. I'd be interested in hearing more about this particular area and comments from those who are finding success.

SEARCHING ON THE WEB
There endless websites out there available today for any and all kinds of jobs. Some of my favorites that are directed more to the arts and non-profit sector are:

www.nyfa.org
www.idealist.org
www.craigslist.org
www.nyc.gov
www.schools.nyc.gov
www.mnyscherc.org
www.higherdjobs.com
www.danceusa.org
www.dancenyc.org
www.playbill.com
www.indeed.com
www.americansforthearts.org

I'm sure there are others, so please speak up and comment with other ways you are finding work in the arts and non-profit world here in New York City! (And why can I not attach links to these posts? Anyone familiar with blogspot please help!)

A call to action - save arts funding!

See my comment - very important for all artists to participate!!

Here's the deal...

Dear Artists of New York City:

Throughout my numerous conversations with others in my field recently, now more than ever there seems to be a growing sense of panic, fear and isolation that comes from trying to "survive and thrive" as artists in New York City.  While we ride this uncertain and yet weirdly exciting wave of opportunity, I hope this blog will help the greater good of art in NYC. With the creation of this blog I'd like to be able to pose questions and get answers from anything and everything to finding work, housing, dealing with debt and arts advocacy issues to finding free or cheap places to chill (if that's possible when you have no money) or simply finding funding sources and ways to showcase your art form. So let's get started....

Topic #1: EMPLOYMENT.  Like so many others here I'm a highly intelligent artist, well educated, incredibly resourceful and yet still unemployed - I don't want to settle for less by accepting the label "starving artist" anymore and neither should any of you! 

How are YOU finding work in New York City?