Education
MENTORSHIP & CAREER DEVELOPMENT
The vitality of today’s artistic community depends upon artists’ abilities to be exceptional creators, but also savvy entrepreneurs, managers, collaborators, and communicators. In its inaugural season NS is pleased to offer several programs geared towards preparing artists for enriching, well rounded, sustainable careers.
Summer Labs–
After a successful August Labs inaugural season in 2016, National Sawdust is pleased to extend the residency period and rename our residency SUMMER LABS. We are looking for local New York based artists that focus on music based works including dance, multimedia and theatrical project, who need space to develop their project and who can commit to a showcase performance of at least 15 minutes of work for a public audience. In return, NS will be able to offer in-kind support limited to 10-5 pm on Tuesday, 10-12 pm on Wed-Friday, with one showcase performance following residency period. Any projects that require additional time or cannot work within these hours should not apply. National Sawdust does not provide any artist fees or housing/travel expenses for the residency period; however, in-kind contributions range from $1,500-$5,000 and includes a performance opportunity as well as dedicated marketing support and consideration for further development during NS regular season.
NS Internship Program –
NS Internships give undergraduate and graduate students the unique opportunity to support the operations of a brand new nonprofit music venue. On a bi-monthly basis, students shadow different key staff members. The goal of the ten-week internship is to illustrate the expansiveness of arts administration: from fundraising and finances, to marketing and communications, to hospitality and production. Students receive full class credit for participation.
Youth and Community Engagement
National Sawdust: Education & Community
Educational programs that give young people opportunities to explore their potential for artistic and creative expression are fundamental to NS’ ability to fulfill our mission. The young people we engage through these initiatives today are both the artists and the audiences of tomorrow.
Very Young Composers’ (VYC) Project – The VYC initiative guides children from local public schools in the creation of their own musical works. NS’ teaching artist-composers lead a series of workshops for students, and ultimately student work is performed by a professional ensemble at NS. The VYC’s goals are to build confidence and leadership; cultivate understanding and lifelong appreciation of music; and inspire the composers of tomorrow.
Found Sound Nation (FSN) in Residence – FSN is a collective of musicians and artists who leverage the unique power of creative sound-making to help build strong, just, healthy communities. FSN partners with National Sawdust and Williamsburg’s El Puente Center for Arts and Culture for a variety of collaborative music and audio-video production projects, including philosophy and composition seminars and an electronic music summer program for girls. These projects give voice to underrepresented communities, unlock the creative potential of youth, and bridge cultural and political divides. Found Sound Nation is part of the new music organization Bang on a Can, founded in 1987 by composers Michael Gordon, David Lang and Julia Wolfe.