NYC Performing Arts Spaces Blog

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Artist-in-Residence Programs in the Prettiest Parts of the USA!: Posted by Emily Bowles, 11 hours ago - 0 comments

Tags: residencies

Sometimes, artistic opportunities outside the NYC area are just too wonderful for me not to share them on this otherwise NYC-oriented blog. And this one will not only get you outside NYC, but outside period.

Did you know that the National Parks Service has Artist-in-Residence programs at 29 of their parks? Me neither! And FYI, they are NOT all for visual artists! Composers and performers of all types are encouraged to apply in many cases...

Here's the official list of participating parks with their contact information: http://www.nps.gov/archive/volunteer/air.htm Residency dates and application deadlines vary.

So get out there, and be inspired! Ahhhh, Acadia!
Blogging from The Road: Denver Center for the Performing Arts: Posted by Emily Bowles, 4 days ago - 0 comments

Tags: blogging from the road

Denver turned out to be a very, very busy gig. In addition to it being a six-week run -- the longest I had done with the tour so far -- we were also raising money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. I happily volunteered to be a part of an amazing fundraising event called WICKED ROCKS!, which had a successful night at the Bluebird Theatre. I am proud to say that the cast was able to raise $235,000 in Denver and Cleveland combined. We thank you, Denver, for the generous support!

With this being our third visit to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts theatre, and with a longer run and a few snow storms, I was not sure we would have full houses every night. But never doubt the power of the WICKED! Even under winter weather advisories, the show must -- and did -- go on, to packed houses nightly.

A wonderful thing about working on the road is getting reacquainted with people you haven’t seen for some time. I have had the great pleasure of spending time with friends and family that I would not have been able to see if I were staying put in one city. It’s so amazing, and Denver was no different. While we were there, I was able to see an old high school buddy, Angela Bui, and I got to celebrate my uncle’s birthday with him and my cousin.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts was wonderfully accommodating and the theatre was easy to navigate. I was, however, absolutely NOT prepared for the elevation- and altitude-sickness. The company managers had warned us to take precautions: to stay hydrated and to not be afraid to use the off-stage oxygen tanks whenever we needed. That still did not prepare me for opening night, when I was actually unable to perform due to altitude sickness. I returned to work the next night, but had what I can only describe as the hardest performance I have ever experienced. At one point the lack of oxygen proved too much for me. It was impossible for me to breathe, let alone catch my breath to sing. I would like to take this time to thank my cast for being patient with me and basically carrying me on their shoulders.

On a happier note, the beginning of the holidays arrived while we were in Denver, and I was "booed"! For most of our run in Denver, the cast took turns secretly decorating each other’s stations with Halloween treats and ghosts and goblins. We also attended a lovely Halloween costume party hosted for us at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. I went as Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes. Thanks for the great idea, Ryan!

Although Denver was an awesome city to play, six weeks was a good while and we were all ready for a change. See you in Cleveland!

Courtney Jones worked at NYCPAS as Assistant to the Director for two years before embarking on the national tour of “WICKED” as an ensemble cast member. She is a graduate of SUNY Purchase College and has danced professionally in New York City with Jennifer Muller/The Works, among others. This is her ninth blog from the road (click "blogging from the road" in our tag cloud [right column] to see all her blogs!).
Free Space in Tribeca as Your "Blank Canvas": Posted by Emily Bowles, 1 week ago - 0 comments

Tags: rehearsal space, theatre, residencies, call for applications, free space, music, dance

Space on White, a new facility in Tribeca, is seeking an innovative, artistic NYC organization to be its resident company. And they hope to find one through a video contest that they are calling "The Blank Canvas Giveaway"!

If you are an artistic, theatre, dance, music or production company looking for a rehearsal and performance "home", develop a short performance skit on video (1-4 minutes), showcasing your organization’s talents and mission while answering Space on White's prompt question: “What could you do with Space on White as your blank canvas?” More contest details are available here.

There will be two winners chosen:

FIRST PLACE (by judges' vote): 80 hours of free space at Space on White, as well as a residency, which includes publicity through Space on White, storage space, and more.

SECOND PLACE (determined by highest number of views on the Space on White YouTube channel): 50 hours of free space at Space on White.

Click here for contest details and more information about Space on White.
Taking the Pulse: Musicians and Health Insurance: Posted by Emily Bowles, 1 week ago - 0 comments

Tags: musicians, health insurance, survey

Are you a musician or songwriter? Do you have health insurance?

Our friends at the Future of Music Coalition are conducting an online survey to assess how many musicians in this country have health insurance.

Your answers are anonymous and confidential, and the survey should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Take their 10-minute survey and tell them about your health insurance situation.

FMC's first study on this topic study, published in 2002 and often cited, showed that 44 percent of working musicians did not have health insurance. One of the barriers survey respondents discussed, besides cost, was that the topic is difficult to wrap your mind around. To help demystify the issue, FMC created the Health Insurance Navigation Tool (HINT) — a free program that offers jargon-free information to musicians seeking to learn more about their health insurance options.

FMC is a national organization, so please pass this on to musicians you know outside of NYC!

Let’s help Future of Music Coalition continue their important work. Take their survey today!
Working Artists: Reducing your Debt and Managing Credit: Posted by Emily Bowles, 2 weeks ago - 0 comments

Tags: free event, financial advice

Have you used credit cards to fund one of your projects and now find yourself struggling to pay off the debt?

You are not alone. And the good news is there is free and objective, one-on-one financial advice available.

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) and Department of Consumer Affairs Office of Financial Empowerment are hosting a day of FREE one-on-one financial counseling and workshops designed to help working artists and arts administrators in all disciplines, as well as independent workers, reduce debt and manage credit.

"The Art of Money: Personal Finance Resources for Artists"

Date: Saturday, March 6
Time: 12 PM - 5 PM
Location: Dwyer Cultural Center, 258 St. Nicholas Avenue (at 123rd Street), NYC
Directions: Take the A, B, C or D train or M10 bus to 125th Street. Walk two blocks south on St. Nicholas Avenue. Turn left onto 123rd Street.