FilAm ARTS Blog!

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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: FilAm ARTS Multicultural Undergraduate Summer Internships 2009

Through a generous grant from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the Getty Foundation, the Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts & Culture (FilAm ARTS) is offering two (2) paid internships for undergraduates this summer. Both summer internships are 10-week, full-time paid positions ($3,500 gross salary) that are great opportunities for undergraduates to gain experience in special event planning, public relations, and community arts production.

In accordance with guidelines set by The Getty Foundation Grant Program and the L.A. County Arts Commission, candidates must be:

o Members of underrepresented groups, particularly individuals of Asian, African American, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander descent.

o Students currently enrolled as undergraduates who either reside or attend college in Los Angeles County, who will have completed at least one semester of college by June 2009, or who will complete their undergraduate degree by September 1, 2009.

o Candidates are not required to have demonstrated previous commitment to the visual arts.

TO APPLY FOR THESE INTERNSHIPS: To apply, please email the following: 1) a resumé, 2) a cover letter explaining reason for interest and addressing how you meet the eligibility guidelines for the internship set by the program, and, 3) 2 references. Please indicate to which internship you are applying.

EMAIL your application materials to: Jilly Canizares, Executive Director, at jilly@filamarts.org by: May 8, 2009.

*** JOB DESCRIPTIONS:

1. Festival Assistant Intern – Under the supervision of Festival Co-Directors, the intern will be working with curators, community leaders, government agencies, and artists to facilitate the production of the 18th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture. The intern will develop a deeper understanding of the work involved in nonprofit arts administration and will better understand the use of the arts in creating dialogue and as a powerful tool in community-building. The intern will develop office, interpersonal, technical and business skills that can be utilized in future careers, i.e. meeting coordination, public speaking and database management. Intern responsibilities will include:

· Providing administrative support and follow-up on production logistics with city & county offices, community organization partners, and others.

· Processing and coordinating curator and artist contracts.

· Coordinate bi-monthly production meetings for the curators, artists and key volunteers.

· Follow-up on key production deadlines and needs.

2. Pilipino Artists Network Intern -  Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the intern will be working with artists of multiple disciplines and community leaders to facilitate the visual arts component of the 18th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture. The intern will develop a deeper understanding of the work involved in nonprofit arts administration and will better understand the role of the arts in creating dialogue and as a powerful tool in community-building. The intern will develop office, interpersonal, technical and business skills that can be utilized in future careers, i.e. meeting coordination, public speaking and database management.

Responsibilities of the PAN Intern will include assistance with:

· Outreach to artists, arts organizations, arts patrons, and audiences.

· Process artist applications and submissions, coordinate travel and other arrangements for visiting artists;

· Exhibition coordination, installation and de-installation, including coordinating special needs/requirements, ensuring proper venue preparation, and communication with special contractors;

· Program book production, coordination of copy and images, and interaction with the graphic designer;

· Promotion of all programs, including assisting with the production and distribution of press releases and announcements;

*** ABOUT FILAM ARTS & THE FESTIVAL OF PHILIPPINE ARTS & CULTURE: The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts & Culture (FilAm ARTS) is a multi-disciplinary, community arts, public benefit organization whose mission is to advance the understanding of the arts and diverse cultural heritage of Filipinos in the United States through presentation, education, and arts services. With three public programs namely: 1) the 18th annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture, 2) the California-statewide Pilipino Artists Network, and 3) Eskuwela Kultura — FilAm ARTS’ organizational purpose is to engage diverse publics in cultural arts production as a synergistic venue for community and individual self-empowerment.

The annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC) was initiated by the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department in 1992 in response to the growing multicultural constituency of the city. After 3 years, FPAC was ceded to the community and today, is the largest presenter of Philippine arts and culture in Southern California in collaboration with more than 100 local organizations, involving over 300 traditional, contemporary, literary, visual and performing artists, 200 volunteers and attracting over 20,000 participants from all over the nation.

The Pilipino Artists Network is a California-statewide initiative that aims to: provide supportive connections between artists and organization, strengthen artists’ understanding and use of production, marketing and distribution strategies, and develop as many avenues that will support artists of Filipino heritage.

For more info, log onto: www.filamarts.org.

Center for Cultural Innovation – Workshops REGISTER NOW!

The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), a partner of FIlAm ARTS, begin the next Business of Art workshops this week, through June.

Business of Art(TM)
Entrepreneurial Training for Artist

Artists and creative entrepreneurs who take CCI’s signature program, Business
of Art (TM)learn key business skills that provide them with the knowledge
and resources to help advance their art, develop their ideas and
increase their financial independence. Business of Art (TM)classes are
taught by a variety of business leaders with experience in both
corporate and non-profit entities.

Students learn key concepts involved in goal setting, strategic planning,
marketing and self-promotion, money management, legal issues and project
financing.
In addition to classroom training, all Business of Art (TM)students
participate in
counseling sessions with leading arts and business professionals.

The  next Business of Art(TM) course will begin in April 2009.
Enrollment is limited to  25 students.

Session 1:Tuesday, April 21, 6:30-9:30pm
Work Like an Artist, Think Like an  Entrepreneur – Setting Your Personal
Goals
Session 2: Tuesday, April 28,  6:30-9:30pm
Planning, Plain and Simple
Session 3: Tuesday, May 5, 6:30-9:30pm
Marketing and Self-Promotion
Session 4: Tuesday, May 12, 6:30-9:30pm
Legal Issues for Artists
Session 5: Tuesday, May 19, 6:30-9:30pm
Budgeting and Money Management
Session 6: Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 – 9:30pm
Financing Your Project – Getting  Grants, Loans and Other Funding
Session 7: Tuesday, June 2, 6:00 – 9:30pm
Cluster Counseling  and Final Wrap-Up

Date: Tuesday’s,  starting  April 21, 2009 6:30-9:30pm – through  June 2,
2009
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: Japanese  American Cultural and Community Center, 244 S. San
Pedro St,
Little Tokyo, near  Downtown Los Angeles
Cost: $210 (Non  Member) / $185 (BOA/CCI Members) The fee includes the
Business
of Art(TM)  Workbook., The Business of Art: An
Artist’s Guide to Profitable Self-Employment.

Register Now!
https://www.netforumondemand.com/eWeb/Shopping/Shopping.aspx?Cart=0&Site=CCI

Artist Spotlight: Alison de la Cruz

Alison de la Cruz is an artist who blurs the boundaries of genre with her creative works. As an artist and producer, Alison has been an active member of the Pilipino Artist Network. She has also been instrumental in the growth of FilAm ARTS, as a performer, former Artistic Director, and Festival Director for FPAC.

We had a few moments to catch up with her, amidst her busy schedule and rehearsals for the upcoming Vagina Monologues performance, in which Alison is a part of an all-Pinay cast. The performance is Saturday, March 7th, at 7:30pm, and the Aratani Japan American Theatre in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

A Interview With….

Alison De La Cruz

Tell us about yourself?
I am a teacher and a producer.

What is The Vagina Monologues and how did you become a part of it?
The Vagina Monologues is a play written in 1996 by Eve Ensler. In 1998, Eve created the V-Day campaign as a global non-profit that has raised over $50 million for women’s anti-violence groups through benefits of The Vagina Monologues performances. A friend from the Center for the Pacific Asian Family (CPAF) asked me to help out three years ago. Last year I was able to participate in the all-Asian cast. It grew so large that they had two shows! This year I am part of the cast agin, this time, an all-Pinay cast.

What is your role in The Vagina Monologues?
My character is a woman from the South and is ultimately

Photo by Ernie Pena

a lesbian. It starts from her being straight and illustrates her journey to lesbianhood.

What did you like most about being a part of the production?
This was a cool opportunity to hang out with some bad ass women. John Lawrence Rivera is the director and he was a cool person to work with as well.

How long have you been practicing your craft?
I’ve been performing and producing for 10 years.

You were once a Director at FilAm ARTS. How has that helped you in understanding your culture?
FilAm ARTS has been helpful of understanding the scope of our society. I ran into folks from FilAm ARTS and saw the challenges of the state and the Filipino community and artist scope and capacity. I came to FilAm ARTS when it was incorporated in 1996. It was an interesting time to be there. The organization was coming alive and learning how to make a bigger impact in community. I have been to every FPAC since 1997 and directed 4 festivals, volunteered, judged competitions… I was fortunate enough to be the Director when Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa came to FPAC. I was showing him around on behalf of FilAm ARTS for the day.

What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming involved with FilAm ARTS?
Be prepared to do anything and be willing to be a customer service guru. Take pride in the fact that you help the community shine. It’s a place for artist to showcase, and business to sell, and it’s a place to rise above the politics. To artists, be professional and patient. We are working hard to help you showcase your talent. The MC’s and directors’ heart is in the right place. It’s really precious and understands, Give a wide margin of grace. Enjoy it. Love is a lot of work, and the people who carry the banner of work is giving the community and the people involved a time to shine.

For more information about Alison de la Cruz, visit: www.myspace.com/alisonmdelacruz

For more information on the Vagina Monolouges performance, please go to: http://www.jaccc.org/aratani_japanamerica_events.htm

Hi Everyone!

It’s been a while, but we are back We will post articles, stories, opportunities for and regarding Filipino arts and culture.

While our website is under construction, check out our other sites, as well as check back here often!

http://www.myspace.com/festivalofphilippinearts

http://www.imeem.com/filamarts

http://www.facebook.com/people/FilAm-Arts/1369181713