Greetings from NYC

I hope everyone is off to a wonderful new year. I've been reading everyone's posts with much interest, and I thought I'd chime in with what I've been up to.

After a harrowing 48 hours of looking for an apartment (with a 70 lb. dog, no less), Luke and I found a cute, furnished apartment on the Lower East Side. I have about a 10 minute walk to work, which rocks. We're lovin the neighborhood, which is kind of a night spot. Lots going on all the time--I actually sleep really well with all the noise outside (trucks, people, etc.). Somehow it feels really private.

My internship is great. The place is called Abrons Arts Center (www.henrystreet.org/arts) and is part of the larger Henry Street Settlement, which is a nonprofit serving the Lower East Side through "social services, arts and health care programs." My first week was kind of crazy, because Gossip Girl was filming on location in our playhouse, and we had all sorts of people around. I have never seen the show, but did get to see them film a little bit and wow, it is really tedious work.

I'm working in the Arts-in-Education department. My main project is to work on an arts partnership between P.S. 110, an elementary school down the street, and Abrons. The two received an Empire State Partnership grant (http://www.espartsed.org/), one which is designed to foster sequential and comprehensive visual arts programming for the school across a span of several years.

The particular aspect I'm working on are these ETSL units (Evidence of Teacher and Student Learning). They are a really neat tool actually based off work at C.A.P.E. - Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (which I ironically reported on with my group in our museum class--yay Facos!). These online units basically are a way of showing how the arts integration is working in the classroom. I'm really excited about them because not only do they serve as a method of evaluation--they also serve to show anyone what goes on in the classroom when art is brought in as its own discipline AND what it does for other curriculum areas.

If you're interested, you can look at a sample unit at: http://esp.sicreative.com/preview_units.php?id=90&page=home&preview=8613985ec49eb8f757ae6439e879bb2a.

I miss you all. Write and let us know what you're up to.

Best,
tracy

Greetings from Seattle!

Dear friends,
I’ve been here for just one week, and feel like I’ve already seen more than my fair share of adventure. I arrived at the Seattle/Tacoma airport Tuesday morning last week, and hopped in my rental car to drive to my temporary place in Fremont. (I was very excited, as I just turned 25 and this would be my first rental car experience!) After being lost for three hours, I decided it was time to use that iPhone my brother bought me for Christmas (he was afraid I would get lost living in a new city.) I pulled over and, by the grace of God, the GPS indicated that I was only a few blocks from my destination. I backed up to get back on the road, but had neglected to notice the car that had pulled in behind me. The guy got out to assess the damage and gave me a cold stare. I was not off to a good start in the friend-making department.

Thankfully I found the apartment, and returned my rental car intact. I was not able to endure the two weeks I had paid in advance for my temporary place, however. I had an inkling that the guy might be weird (after we had finalized our deal, he mentioned that the house would be “clothing optional”. I ensured him that I would be keeping my clothes on.)

I will spare you the ugly details, but one week later I am living in a lovely new apartment on Capitol Hill with a delightful (and fully clothed) new roommate named Sarah Marshall. Yes, like the movie. I am enjoying the people, the food (holy canole, these people do seafood right!), the sights, and even the weather. The library itself is like a work of art, and there are a billion fun things, arts and otherwise, going on just in my neighborhood alone. Anyway, I wanted to give you all an update. I am meeting my boss for lunch tomorrow (wish me luck!), and am antsy to get to work first thing next week.
I miss you all, and hope you’re having as much fun as I am!

Cheers!
Jessica
p.s., my new number: 812.734.5694

Watch shorts

If anyone is interested, you can view some of the short films that were at Sundance through iTunes, but they're available just for a few days, I think. Go to http://www.itunes.com/sundance
I haven't seen them all yet, I've been busy trying to catch the full length ones while I'm at the festival. Also, the award winners were announced today, highlighting the best of new film and filmmakers, which you can find on www.sundance.org/festival.
More later, Sarah

Bloomington...still

Cupcakes everyone!

Hope all is well, just wanted to write a lil' post to say "hi" to all of you. I am still in Bloomington, and it is very strange to wake up every day and just have to go to work...no class...or homework...or creepily lurking around SPEA. I am working with the Education Department of the art museum here on campus and its going great. I knew I would like working with Ed (we met him in a Facos class) when he told me that "he worshiped mushrooms". Currently I am writing lesson plans to teach 7th graders art history. My brain thinks like a 13 year old, so I have been getting positive feedback. Also still working in the parking lot...so not too much to report. I just wanted to tell everyone how much I miss you ALL and I love reading your blogs and posts to see what exciting things are happening. Keep posting!

:) Liska

A couple more films

Mystery Team was amazing. It's written, produced, and acted by Derrick Comedy, which is a group of five kids that met at NYU and worked in the same comedy sketch group. They started making short videos online, that gained so much viewership and popularity, they decided to do a full-length feature, and landed in Sundance; further proof Sundance really is fostering new, young, filmmakers, not just hosting the dog and pony show for those already famous. Mystery Team made me laugh, the entire audience laughed; and I think it represented a new style of comedy, different from predictable tv sitcoms, more clever than blockbuster holiday comedies; it was original and fresh, and had wonderful characters. The humor style was geeky and sophisticated at the same time. Afterward, during the talkback, someone in the audience asked, "When can I get this on DVD?!" The response was, "When someone in this audience picks it up for distribution." I also found I was sitting right in the middle of the production crew, one guy on my left, three to my right, who all did the taping and editing, etc. None were much older than college students.

Then this morning I saw Lulu and Jimi, a German film, a scandalous love story set in Germany in the 1950's, which was fantastical, colorful, highly stylized, and filled with Rock and Roll. It had some dark undertones, but I really enjoyed it. I got a couple extra tickets for my Australian roommates, so they came along too. Ray Fearon (Jimi) spoke after the film, and was so charming and fun to listen to. We proceeded to act like fawning fans do, and got our photo taken with him. I went back into work after that, and the day went quickly.

More films and working tomorrow, and more updates later.
Sarah

Writing from the ticket line...

Sundance is off to a bustling start. I work long days. I try to see films late into the night. I am sitting in line under a tent right now, waiting to get a comp staff ticket for Mystery Team. Last night, I saw Rudo y Cursi, a film from Mexico making its North American premiere, about two rival brothers played by Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna (both from Y Tu Mama Tambien). It was a beautiful film, and the director, cast, and crew did a Q&A afterward, which was really neat. I was walking down the street talking about it on my cell afterward, and the guy walking behind me says "it was just picked up by this afternoon, by Sony." "Congratulations, it was really great," I said back. Later, I stopped by the post-screening talk back with the director and cast for Spring Breakdown, a comedy with Amy Poehler and Rachel Dratch from SNL. Someone asked, what was your inspiration for the film? And they replied something to the effect of, dumb stuff you do in college.

Then in the afternoon I snuck out of work for a few hours and saw The Greatest, which is in the US Dramatic Competition. It stars Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon, who were both there, and Carrie Mulligan, a young actress who has TWO movies in Sundance this year. It is about a family who loses a son. It was particularly interesting to hear the screenwriter and director, Shana Feste, speak about the central theme of grief, and how it influenced her upbringing, her father having lost a son before she was born. When she spoke, her expressive gratefulness and graciousness to have her film be selected in Sundance really showed, and made the film more endearing.

More updates soon,
Sarah

Contract Help!

Hey all!
I was wondering if any of your prospective organizations receive a percentage of a for-profit's sales as donations, and if so, could I see a copy of the agreement? I'm supposed to draft a contract to this end, and I'm a little muddled. Thanks!
-Audrey

P.S. FYI, the Adopt an Animal proposal was approved, and I'll be moving forward with two more proposals for further revenue generation. YAY!

YBCA in San Francisco looking for Lead House & Audience Services Manager

Hello,

In my endless search for jobs, I've come across two opportunities at a very unique and contemporary space. The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, is looking for a Lead House Manager and an Audience Services Manager.

For lack of a better adjective the organization seems very "rad" and has exhibitions, film, performances and some public programming. It's mission:

"to present contemporary art from the Bay Area and around the world that reflects the profound issues and ideas of our time, expands the boundaries of artistic practice, and celebrates the diversity of human experience and expression."

Maybe it's exactly what someone is looking for! Hope everyone is doing well - your presence is missed in Bloomington.

Anna

Adopt an Animal Feedback

Greetings, all!
As I said in my previous post, I'm starting on a proposal for an Adopt-an-Animal program here at Mote (Foster Friends is the proposed name, with a separate program for the dolphin, whale, and turtle hospitals called Guardian Angels). I would love feedback/creative suggestions for two things: I need a cute tag-line for the program, and I want to know, of the list below, which three animals you would consider adopting.

I'd like a tag-line that incorporates friendship or support without ownership. Normally, taking ownership is good, but it makes our aquarists nervous. To give you an idea of a tag-line, Brookfield Zoo uses "Share the care." My only goal is to do better than that. Even the suggestions of buzzwords would be great. I just need a jumping off point. I kind of went crazy with ideas yesterday, and put the whole thing together in a little over an hour, which kind of zapped my energy for today.

Here is the list of currently proposed animals.

Hugh the Manatee
Buffett the Manatee
Moonshine the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Harvey the Long-Snouted Spinner Dolphin
Hang Tough the Green Sea Turtle
Shelley the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Montego the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Edgar the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Nurse Shark
Blacktip Shark
Bull Shark
Sandbar Shark
Goliath Grouper
Spiny Lobster
Slipper Lobster
Lined Seahorse
Clownfish
Southern Ray
Manta Ray
Skate
Octopus
Moray Eel

Please pick your top three. We're doing a visitor survey here as well. If you pick named animals, did the name (or the fact that the animal had a name) influence your decision?
Thanks much, and my best to all!
-Audrey

Ticket stock

I'll be the first to ask a favor of everyone.

I have a small project to collect a few samples of ticket stock from other arts organizations. I've called a few places, but I thought this might work, too. If any of you could ask someone from your box office to fax me a sample of your organization's ticket stock, I would really appreciate it. Don't worry about asking if it will put you in a weird position.

The IRT fax number is (317) 236-0767, ATTN: Steve.

Thanks!

Things in Bloomington change without us??

Whoa! The BCT updated their website.

Good Luck to everyone in their new internships!

oh my goodness

Lexie,

I can't believe that you found those pictures. Be careful. I've heard that there are some even more incriminating ones around.

Steve

January, Month of In-Between

I thought about all of you this past week who began internships! I hope the first week was grand, for those of you who this applies to. I love reading everyone's blog posts.

I'm in the in-between time of having finished the semester and waiting to pack up my belongings in my car and move across country. Every day I do a bit of craigs-list-ing, as I haven't yet found a place to live. Am I stressed about this situation? Yes. Looking forward to the 3-day road trip? It will be interesting. Jessica and I both start at SIFF on February 2, so I'll have more to report then. 

Over the holidays, I spent almost two weeks with my parents in Alabama. I hit up all the Southern hot spots (sarcasm?) from Birmingham to Jackson, Mississippi (my birthplace) and Atlanta. Had the best biscuits of my life in Atlanta, and some yummy Cajun food in MS. Started saying "y'all" again. Never had to wear my big black puffy coat. Actually went for a walk one day in shorts and a t-shirt. Saw "Milk." Read Richard Yates' "The Easter Parade." Played the piano. 

This week I picked up several hours at my old job (pre-grad school) at the harp store, and have been working on recording some music on the harp for the scene transitions in the production of "True West" that I'm stage managing. Which leads me to...

...For those of you still around Bloomie, come see Gabe and Brett Gloden in Sam Shepard's "True West" directed by Rich Perez. January 16, 17, 22-24 at 8 pm and January 17 at 2 pm in the Rose-Firebay at the JWAC. Check bloomingtonarts.info or newplays.org for more information, of course. 

 It still feels strange to not see all of you every day, but it's great to read your updates, so keep them coming! 

Much love.

Clare

Finding Treasure!

Well All,

 

 I miss our crew terribly, but to distract me, I started my first entertaining week as the Assistant Director of the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts this week. I have already found skills that I didn't know I had. Who knew that being Lutheran and from the community would give me such an edge at work? As it turns out, I already know half of the choir directors in town, about 10% of the University staff, 2% of the students and how to handle comfortably the unusual culture of the University that result from its Lutheran roots. For instance, I will be traveling with our liturgical choir when they tour parts of the midwest this March. And part of my job is booking them and our other performing groups in Lutheran Churches across the midwest. I can honestly do this in total comfort. Who would have guessed this would be helpful skill? I'm shocked.

But most importantly, I moved into my new office. As I've been slowly cleaning out old records and materials, I stumbled across some jems... 

Pictures of one of our VU Alumni!

 

I have more pictures that I'm considering using for the front cover of next year's Theater Brochure. One involves a nap on a tour bus and the other involves a rather ostentatious looking white turtle neck (the anti-Hunt?). 

Just kidding Steve! 

Best wishes to all.

Sarah at Sundance - Week 4

Hi friends!

Things are really getting hectic around here. I have been on the customer service phones for the last two days. Last weekend was locals individual ticket sales; two 13 hour days in a row! I just wrote a blog post about some of the underlying issues of ticketing when there's high demand - because I field a lot of the complaints in this department.

Today has definitely been a highlight - we got our "uniforms" which is a Kenneth Cole winter coat and puffy vest to wear during the festival. And we got our official credentials for venue access with our photos on them, plus our staff tickets to movies and the closing night award party. And we got our housing assignments -- I'm staying in a condo right up the street from where I live now, so I can still walk to work - I'm thrilled.

This weekend is "best of fest" where we give out free tickets to locals for the award-winning films that are rescreened after the festival ends, and ticket pick up begins for people who bought online - it's going to be busy! I'm in charge of crowd control because we have huge lines form in front of the box office - so as you can imagine, me being a bossy-pants, I really enjoy this job. I just wish someone would give me a megaphone.

Because we don't really get weekends off in the box office, we each get a day or so off during the week. It's a winter wonderland here - I'll post photos soon.

I'll keep you updated with any celebrity sightings during the festival (our first one in the box office last weekend was Olympic speedskater/Dancing with the Stars contestant Apolo Ohno). It's supposed to be at all the press/industry screenings that the production/artistic crew shows up because they have to help sell the film to the industry people. Jim Carrey and Ewan Mcgregor should come for their film "I Love You Phillip Morris" and Ashton and Demi and gang for "Spread" and Robin Williams for "World's Greatest Dad." There are a lot more, but we'll see when they show. When you tell people who are in line for tickets about this, they get much happier.

More soon!
lots of love,
Sarah

Good luck!

Good luck to everyone starting their internships this week. Happy new year!