The Arena – Contemporary Flow with Mathew Janczewski

Fridays: Contemporary Flow with Mathew Janczewski
10:00-11:30am at The Arena
Pre-register here!
Drop-in rate is $17 with flexible pricing and free parking on side streets Aldrich, Bryant, Colfax, 31st, etc.

Class focuses on opening up curiosity, finding internal pathways within the body and the contrast of those same pathways. An assortment of texture, speed, density, length, force and resistance will be taught to open these skills.

Mathew’s work, as Artistic Director of ARENA DANCES is best described as contemporary, spanning an array of styles – from quietly evocative to physically demanding, full of spiraling momentum that draws energy into the core and spreads it out like disco ball beams of light. At times, movement focuses on the dancers’ bends and folds, creating shape as one shifts and moves, forging moments of connection.

Photo courtesy of Aaron Warkov

Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance with Neal Cuthbert

It’s back! Studio Stories podcast returns Thursday, September 8 with Neal Cuthbert for Season 8, Episode 99

In his 25 years at the McKnight Foundation, Neal oversaw the expansion of McKnight’s artist fellowship programs, established the Distinguished Artist Award, and co-developed the artist website, mnartists.org.

Studio Stories airs Thursdays at noon.

Listen where ever you get your podcasts or here!

Rent the Young Dance Studios

Young Dance has two large studios available for rent in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul. Easily accessible by the Green Line light rail, the 16 and 67 Bus Lines, and with ample parking in the Fairview Business Center parking lot. The space is fully ADA accessible with ramps to the sprung studio floor and automatic door openers. 

Rentals are available between the hours of 9:00am–3:00pm Monday through Friday, after 4:00pm on Saturday, and all day on Sundays. 

The studios are newly equipped with sprung Harlequin Marley flooring, a Bluetooth speaker system, and wifi. There are no mirrors. The studio has a clear COVID safety plan including regular disinfecting of all floors and surfaces and a new HVAC system that refreshes the air 7-8 times per hour.

Studio 1: Measures 41′ x 38′ and rents at $25/hour
Studio 2: Measures 38′ x 38′ and rents at $20/hour

To book the space email kathleen@youngdance.org or call 612-423-3064. Payment is required upon confirmation of rental with a signed rental agreement and liability waiver.

Young Dance Fall Classes

Since 1987, Young Dance has encouraged youth in our community to build body and spirit through the art of dance. Our mission is to transform lives through movement. We are an inclusive community where creativity flourishes, encouraging personal and artistic excellence through diverse forms of dance.

Young Dance is committed to offering a fun and developmentally appropriate curriculum. Our Teaching Artists are some of the best in cities, bringing their experience and expertise to a myriad of styles and techniques. The 2022–23 Session includes Afro-Modern, All Abilities Dancing, Ballet, Breaking, Creative Movement, Choreography, Dance Together, Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern, and the Young Dance Performing Company.

Classes begin Thursday, September 15, and continue through Sunday, May 21, 2023. The final weekend of the session culminates in performances at the Luminary Arts Center.

Registration is now open! Some classes fill quickly so enroll today! 

Threads is Hiring – Managing Director Position Open

Threads Dance Project is seeking a new Managing Director to begin August 2022 and help oversee its fall season.

This full-time administrative position reports directly to the Artistic/Executive Director and leads all fundraising, educational, programming, and marketing operations. We’re seeking a proactive and responsive leader with a diverse skill set, strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn.

For more information, please visit www.threadsdance.org/job-opportunities today!

Administrative Assistant – Part Time With Off-Leash Area

Job Description: Administrative Assistant – part-time, flexible – with Off-Leash Area

Experience:
Minimum of two years general office experience.
Office software experience (with these or similar software and platforms): Experience with FilemakerPro database, Mailchimp email platform, Quickbooks, Weebly/Wix or other second party web platform, Word, and Excel. Familiarity with social networking sites and their use in marketing. Experience with writing for marketing. Experience with grant writing a plus though not necessary.

Working Profile:
Ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities, create and follow a calendar of responsibilities, manage details, communicate clearly and directly, strong creative writing skills, and work professionally in an informal atmosphere with a flexible schedule. Will work with supervision from the Artistic Directors.

Hours and Pay:
The Administrative Assistant will work an average of 5-6 hours per week. Hours are flexible. Minimum pay starting at $18/hour. The Administrative Assistant will be working mainly in the home office of the Artistic Directors of the company (owners of a friendly dog), with some off-site work possible.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
• Data Maintenance – update information in FileMakerPro
• Marketing – create and send monthly e-newsletters and email blasts for productions and events, press releases, working with the Artistic Directors on writing the copy; update and maintain social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, mnartists.org, etc); update website
• Financial – track donations, enter cash disbursements and receipts in Quickbooks
• Support the organization with other administrative tasks as needed
• Attend bi-monthly board meetings and take minutes

A minimum 1-year commitment is required.

COVID
The Artistic Directors are fully vaccinated and require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as well. We are open to additional COVID-19 precautions.

Application: 
Please send a resume and cover letter to offleash@offleasharea.org by September 9.

Upstream Arts Seeking Teaching Artists

Upstream Arts is looking for experienced Teaching Artists of any artistic discipline to join our Teaching Artist roster: actors, dancers, clowns, painters, musicians, singers, playwrights, directors, physical theatre artists, multi-disciplinary performing artists, mixed media visual artists, writers, poets, composers, and all other unclassified artists.

This is a part-time position. Hours vary depending on organizational needs and artist availability. Applications accepted until September 23.

The mission of Upstream Arts is to use the power of the creative arts to activate and amplify the voice and choice of individuals with disabilities. In our programs, professional artists teach fundamental skills in a variety of art forms through activities that nurture self-expression, conversation skills, and group participation. We integrate individuals with cognitive, developmental, emotional, behavioral, and physical disabilities into multidisciplinary arts programming designed to develop social and communication skills vital to success in school, work, and life.

Upstream Arts’ Teaching Artists teach our multi-disciplinary arts-based curriculum in teams of 2 or 3 in schools, adult day centers, and community groups in the Twin Cities metro area and beyond. All classes are taught in a group facilitated structure with Teaching Artists rotating up front leading activities.

Teaching Artists are provided paid training to learn how to teach our unique curriculum as well as training in teaching strategies for working with mixed-ability groups.

Essential Responsibilities

  • Collaboratively facilitate programs as part of a Teaching Artist Team
  • Attend Teaching Artist Trainings throughout the year
  • Assist with the development of new curriculum
  • Give and receive timely feedback

Skill Requirements:

  • Artistic background
  • Minimum 1-2 years Teaching Artist experience
  • Excellent group facilitation and communication skills
  • Ability to work and collaborate as part of a team
  • Ability to project an air of calm in hectic environments

Valuable Skills:

  • Experience working with people with disabilities
  • Bilingual in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, or American Sign Language
  • Ability to play a musical instrument
  • Background in education

Work Conditions:
This is an in-person position, with the possibility of some remote or hybrid classes.

Upstream Arts adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy in January 2022. All employment with Upstream Arts is conditioned on candidates being fully vaccinated. Individuals with medical issues or religious beliefs, or practices, that prevent them from getting the vaccine may request an exemption from our vaccine requirement.

Compensation:
This is an hourly position, $18-$28 per hour, commensurate with experience. Upstream Arts offers accrual of paid time off and eligibility to opt into a retirement plan.

To Apply:
Email a cover letter and resume to jobs@upstreamarts.org by September 23.

Upstream Arts is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, disability, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, age, veteran status, marital status or status with regard to public assistance.  Individuals with disabilities, people of color, women, trans, and gender-queer individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Part-Time Events Associates Needed

The Cowles Center Events Associate’s primary responsibility is to ensure patrons at The Cowles Center have a positive, enriching experience in our facilities. The ideal candidate has a passion for the arts and is ready to work to ensure that all guests receive exceptional customer service. They will also be able to work independently while being able to handle various issues as they arise.

This position is part-time, 4–6 hours a month with a flexible schedule.

The Events Associate works as a representative of The Cowles Center by providing ticket sales for Cowles patrons in person and over the phone. This position serves as an ambassador for The Cowles Center and our performing companies by sharing information about productions, answering questions, and directing additional inquiries or concerns to the appropriate person or department within the organization.

Click here to learn more about this position.

To Apply: Email resume and cover letter to Joseph Bingham, Director of Operations and Production – jbingham@thecowlescenter.org. No phone calls please.

2023 McKnight Fellowship Intent to Apply Deadline

The McKnight Fellowship Intent to Apply (ITA) for the 2023 Dancer and Choreographer Fellowships is open, with a deadline of Wednesday, September 7, 2022. The final application is due in spring 2023.

Completing the Intent to Apply gives you:

  • Ability to submit upcoming work to our calendar, giving local panelists a chance to watch your work live
  • Reminders and important updates
  • Invitations to all informational webinars
  • Personal support on your application

If you plan on applying for a fellowship, please submit your Intent to Apply by September 7. If you miss the ITA deadline, you may still submit a final application. However, you will not receive important updates and help with the application.

Check out these links below for each application’s guidelines and help choose which one is best for you:
For Choreographers
For Dancers

Off-Leash Area’s Minotaur – Online

If you missed the opportunity to see Minotaur in person, here’s your chance to catch what some audience members are calling “our best work yet.”

Buy a virtual ticket for an online viewing of the performance film, and you will get the link to the video, which you can watch anytime you choose between now and September 30. No matter what date you buy the ticket for, you can watch any time you choose before it closes at the end of September.

With Minotaur, Off-Leash Area Co-Artistic Directors, choreographer Jennifer Ilse and production designer Paul Herwig, lead a gender-diverse, multi-generational, and fiery cast to take audiences on a thoroughly interdisciplinary and utterly imaginative journey exploring the possibilities laid bare by the metaphorical beheading of the patriarchy. With this production, the artists ask: Once we’ve chopped off this monster’s head, can we really avoid its seductive power and finally be free of this labyrinthine system of oppression?

Dancers Nieya Amezquita, Gabby Garcia, Jennifer Ilse, Jesse Schmitz-Boyd, and Joseph Wurm perform Minotaur with contemporary dance and mask performance. Accompanying the performers and immersing the entire audience is live music and sound score by Dameun Strange, and a live animated projection design by OLA Co-Artistic Director Paul Herwig, with costume design by long-time OLA collaborator, Kym Longhi.

All together, Off-Leash Area takes the audience to an otherworldly space where memories of ancient myth, our urgent present, and dreams of an uncertain future collide.

Online now through September 30
Tickets: $10-$30 sliding scale

Get your tickets online at Off-LeashAreaMinotaur.eventbrite.com.

Acknowledgment: This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.