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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.
