Arts Council Apprenticeship

 

The Organization

The Grinnell Area Arts Council is one of the most active and public non-profits in Grinnell. During the past few years it has consolidated local arts programming and now maintains a total of ten community arts and culture programs. These include Grinnell Community Theatre, Grinnell Art Gallery, Arts Academy (after school and summer arts and workshops), Summer Music at the Park, Grin City Collective (artist residency and community outreach), Turlach Ur (a Scottish bagpipe band) and the Voertman Event Series. In 2010 the Arts Council moved into the former Stewart Library building downtown where it now houses 2-4 public events a month and classes every day.  Additional information about the organization can be found at the Arts Council website.

The Job

The Arts Council apprentice does not need to be an artist. Arts administration is about much more than painting or drawing and GAAC’s apprentice has the opportunity to learn about it all. As the former apprentice, Lea Greenberg ('14) pointed out: "Working with the Arts Council allows you to be involved with a wide array of artistic organizations in and around Grinnell. It's an opportunity to help creativity flourish through visual art, theatre, and music for community members of all ages." 

The Arts Council is a staff of 1.5 so the ideal apprentice must be a mature, independent worker capable of heading multiple projects without close observation. They must be able to maintain a schedule of weekly tasks without reminders. Time will be split between program assistance and administrative tasks. Program assistance is dependent on the apprentice’s interests but could include teaching a class, stage managing, front of house for performances, assisting Artists-in-Residence, and hanging gallery shows. Apprentices also have the opportunity to lead a program from the ground up such as Art Box, a craft-project outreach program built by the 2011-12 apprentice, Lea Greenburg ‘14. Administrative tasks may include: grant writing, maintaining membership lists and websites, poster distribution, and data entry. The intern will work 12-15 hours per week and will report to the Arts & Residency Director, Molly Rideout ‘10.

Specific Requirements

  • Excellent organization and writing skills
  • Must enjoy working with a wide range of people