Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC), an arts service organization and presenter
based in the dynamic DUMBO arts district and working throughout the
borough, seeks an experienced professional to become director of BAC’s
Folk Arts Department. Reporting to the BAC President, the Folk Arts
Director works with Brooklyn traditional artists and their communities
to help preserve, promote, and publicly present their arts, including
music, dance, verbal arts, and material culture.   BAC’s Folk Arts
Department is central to the mission of BAC. A folklorist has worked in
some capacity at BAC since 1988, and the Folk Arts Department is known
throughout New York City and New York State.

Responsibilities:

*   Meets regularly with traditional artists and their community
leaders to assess ways that BAC Folk Arts can be helpful to them.
Conducts field work to identify and document new artists and their
communities as well as maintaining productive relationships with core
artists who have been associated with BAC for a number of years.

*   Utilizes folk arts research and fieldwork in the borough as a
basis for creating significant projects and programs that highlight
traditional arts and artists in Brooklyn. Produces a yearly festival
highlighting Brooklyn traditional arts, produces additional small folk
arts programs, and helps artists with their local presentations. Hosts
regular Folk Arts Meet-ups to encourage collaborations between artists
and enhance professional skills. Organizes an annual Brooklyn Folk Arts
Day, a town hall style gathering and meeting of traditional artists and
their supporters.

*   Works with other BAC Departments including Grants to invite wide
participation of Brooklyn traditional artists in various grant-making
opportunities and Arts in Education (AIE) to introduce traditional
artists into its teaching artist roster.

*   Works with BAC Development Department to help write and report on
folk arts project grants from federal, state, city, corporate, and
foundation sources.

*   Works with BAC Communications Director to coordinate marketing and
communications efforts for BAC Folk Arts, including writing copy,
blogging, providing on-line content (video, photos, etc.), designing of
print and electronic materials, and assisting in distribution of materials.

*   Prepares and manages the Folk Arts Department projects budget in
cooperation with the Finance Director. Negotiates fees with artists
participating in BAC Folk Arts programs; writes contracts with artists;
works with Finance Department to submit contracts in a timely manner for
payment.

*   Organizes (label, date, log) fieldwork and public program
documentation for the BAC Folk Arts Archives, housed at BAC. Makes the
archive accessible to researchers, teachers, community leaders, and
others. Maintains the archive and oversees professional and public use
of its materials.

*   Plays an active role in professional folklore organizations,
especially the American Folklore Society (AFS) and the New York Folklore
Society (NYFS).

*   Advocates for the general mission of BAC and participates in BAC
activities including fundraising events and additional programming.
Performs other duties as determined by the BAC President.

Requirements:

*   Minimum MA (PhD preferred) in Folklore, Public Folklore,
Ethnomusicology, Cultural Strategy, Anthropology, or related field.
*   Minimum three years of experience in public folklore presentation,
including researching and field work, producing, budgeting, marketing,
and presenting.
*   Folklore fieldwork expertise; skilled in data collection,
interviewing, photography, and videography (basic video and sound
editing skills highly desirable).
*   Familiarity with Brooklyn, its complex history and current
designation as a center of immigration and diaspora from diverse
countries around the world and as a center of arts production of all kinds.
*   NYC residence, Brooklyn preferred
*   Excellent communication and organization skill
*   Strong interest in arts of all kinds, concern for all artists

Salary and Benefits:
This is a 4 day/week commitment. Salary range is $42,000-$47,000 with
health benefits (including dental and vision), paid vacation (2 weeks
initial), AFS and NYFS memberships and registration fees for annual AFS
and NYFS meetings, and partial travel allotment for AFS Annual Meeting.

To Apply:

Send resume, three references (give e-mail and phone contact info), and
cover letter explaining your interest in this position to:
bachr@brooklynartscouncil.org<mailto:bachr@brooklynartscouncil.org>
‘Folk Arts Director’ in subject line.

No calls or faxes.  Applications accepted until position is filled.

BAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and strives to build a staff and
board that reflect the cultural diversity of New York, the
constituencies and neighborhoods BAC serves.

About Brooklyn Arts Council

Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) supports and connects Brooklyn’s arts
community through programs and services for artists, cultural
organizations, and residents of all backgrounds and ages. Brooklyn’s
cultural anchor since 1966, BAC has also been a catalyst in helping
local arts communities grow. We give grants, present arts events, train
artists, teach kids, incubate new projects and promote the arts across
Brooklyn.