Movement Research is Hiring: Programs & Events Associate

Movement Research is seeking a Programs & Events Associate to support the organization in accomplishing its mission of supporting and engaging a diverse community of dance artists, practitioners and program participants.

Job Description

The Programs & Events Associate supports the programming of a 45-year-old artist services nonprofit dedicated to supporting experimental dance artists. Programs & Events Associate reports to the Programs & Events Manager and Associate Director.

The position supports Movement Research’s public programs and events, artist residencies and exchanges through event and activities planning, implementation of logistics, technical support for onsite and virtual events, and administration of event documentation.

The position interacts with Movement Research’s artist community on a daily basis and provides support to artists participating in these activities.

Programs & Events Associate is a 28 hour/week hourly position at Movement Research.

Compensation: $20/hour

Schedule: This position is an on-site position, with limited remote working available. Schedule is determined based on MR’s ongoing public events schedule. Schedule varies a bit season to season, but applicants must be available to work Monday and Tuesday afternoon/evenings, select Wednesday and/or Thursday evenings and the occasional Saturday.

Benefits:

• An employee contribution 403(b) plan is available.
• Movement Research employees receive free access to Movement Research classes, (virtual or in-person at the following locations: MR Studios at 122 Community Center, Eden’s Expressway, Gibney 280, Danspace Project and Judson Memorial Church; 1 free workshop per MELT series; and free or discounted participation in MR workshops is offered on a case-by-case basis.

Locations: The Movement Research office and studios are located in 122 Community Center at 150 First Avenue, New York, NY 10009. The second floor office is accessible by elevator. Studios and restrooms are wheelchair accessible; restrooms are all gender. Judson Memorial Church is located at 55 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012. The accessible entrance is located at 243 Thompson St. and the elevator at Judson Memorial Church is currently working. Personnel from the Judson Memorial Church will be at the entrance. The elevator connects Level 1 (street access) to Level 3 (Meeting Room where performances take place) and Level B or basement (where restrooms are located).

COVID-19: As of January 2, 2023, all MR staff working onsite are required to have received at least a first round of a COVID-19 vaccine. Masks are required when working on-site or participating in Movement Research classes, workshops and events.

To apply

Please email the following materials to ​work@movementresearch.org​ with “Programs & Events Associate” in the subject line:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Name, title, organization, email and phone number for two to three professional references.
• Accommodations for the job interview (we can offer closed captions, live transcript, ASL interpretation, and audio description for the interview).

Please direct questions via email to work@movementresearch.org. For accessibility purposes, if you need to speak by phone, we would be happy to call you if you send us your name and phone number by email.

Movement Research will invite 6–8 applicants for individual interviews that will take place in-person or virtually via Zoom. Following the individual interviews, we anticipate inviting 2–3 individuals for a second interview, which is planned to take place in-person. For accessibility purposes, if you require accommodations to interview, please let us know these in your application. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interviews will begin as applications are received. Position start-date is as soon as possible.

Movement Research continuously seeks to engage a more diverse and inclusive participant body and strives to recognize individuality and create equal opportunities for all, regardless of race, class, gender, disability, ethnicity, sexuality or age. MR is committed to maintaining a strong connection to an existing diverse community of experimental artists and audiences, while at the same time expanding its definition of experimentation to working within and pushing the boundaries of all movement-based forms. Movement Research recognizes the challenge to diversify the range of aesthetics, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds represented on NYC stages and strongly encourages applications from individuals aligned with this vision.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years experience in artists services and/or performing arts field.
• Interest in supporting artists and engaging in community care.
• Knowledge and/or interest in local and national performing arts.
• Strong communication, writing and organizational skills.
• Comfortable speaking in public and serving as a public face at MR events.
• Ability to work independently, prioritizing and managing workload.
• Possess strong team working skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple program timelines and schedules.
• Experience with Mac platforms; Google including GMail, GoogleDocs, and GoogleSheets; MSOffice including Word and Excel is required.
• Familiarity with database and/or online platforms including the following is a plus: Filemaker, Submittable, Jotform, Ti.to, and GiveLively.
• Experience running public events; past front of house experience is a plus
• Experience with accessibility and fulfilling access requests and scheduling access providers
• Experience with basic technical setups for live events (both virtual and in-person).
• Experience managing digital media & documentation (video, photo, audios).

Responsibilities include:

I. On-site and virtual event support: work with Programs & Events Manager and Program Coordinator at events including:

• MR at the Judson Church; most Monday evenings mid-Sept to early June
• Studies Projects, approx. 6 events per year, once monthly usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday, occasional Saturdays
• GPS Chats, approximately 4–5 events per year
• MELT Events; take place during Winter and Summer MELT series, usually a maximum of 1 event per week

II. Responsibilities for Public Events (including MR at the Judson Church, Studies Projects and GPS Chats)

• Train Interns in event responsibilities
• Create and maintain reservations and/or web ticketing platform for events, both in advance and on-site day-of
• With support from the Programs & Events Manager, schedule access providers when requested
• Prepare and send Letters of Agreement, A/V Waivers, and payment requests as necessary
• Reserve studio space for events and add events into FileMaker
• Prepare of event program pdf, large print version, and QR code
• Schedule and oversee event staff
• Make public announcements at events
• Organize, purchase, and set-up hospitality (food & drinks) when applicable
• Track merchandise sales and merchandise inventory
• Collect and track attendee data including number of guests, number of staff present and reporting on these to MR Development team
• Communicate with and ensure participants (including artists and audience) of all in-person events follow MR COVID safety guidelines.
• Be the on-site contact for event documenters
• Set-up and clean-up of each event, including tech, A/V, and documentation set-up
• Support troubleshooting technical needs during events
• Manage digital and analog audiovisual materials post events; retrieve, archive, and distribute documentation media

III. Specific to Movement Research at the Judson Church Media Archive:

• Retrieve, manage, and archive all media documentation of MR at the Judson Church performances.
• Edit MR at the Judson Church videos and upload them in public digital archives (YouTube and Vimeo) with the support of the Media and Communications Department.
• Share MR at the Judson Church videos with presenting artists.
• Keep accurate track of Video and Photography processing status.

III. Open Performance; approx. 16 events per year (8 per season), twice monthly

• Coordinate the Open Performance series
• Prior to the season’s start provide support on the following: determination of OP dates and format (virtual and/or in-person), creation of Open Call Form in Submittable and copy for Media & Comms team, Lottery Selection Process, scheduling of artists based on Lottery results and dates preferences provided, scheduling of moderators for program dates; reach out to Guest Moderators as needed.
• Prior to each event, sending reminder emails to everyone involved: artists, moderator, interns, guests (for virtual events) etc.
• For each event: Virtual events: open the Zoom room for the artists, participate in introductory meeting for artists and moderator, troubleshoot any tech needs, manage the waiting room, communicating event guidelines to participating artists and guests and ensure they are followed during the event, and keep time for the event
• In-person events: Open the space for the artists, coordinate/supervise MR interns in set up of space prior to opening, oversee space (audience arrival, security, late arrivals), communicate space and COVID-safety guidelines and rules to participating artists and audience and ensuring they are followed during the event, oversee/collect “pass the hat” revenue, verify revenue amount with second MR staff, and supervise strike and clean up.
• Complete event report and all required stats tracking.
• Continue to brainstorm the development of the program, and give recommendations for its future.

IV. Media and Archive General Responsibilities:

• Set up and Manage digital and analog audiovisual materials (photo, audio, video, prints, etc) for all MR public events including Studies Projects, GPS Chats, MR at Judson Church, Open Performance, and MR Festival.
• Keep accurate status of A/V equipment.
• Troubleshoot technical glitches as needed.
• Set up for media needs

IV. Intern Management:

• Support Programs & Events Manager in the hiring and management of Programming interns — screening applications, interviewing candidates, onboarding, training, delegation of tasks, managing workload, double checking work.

V. Additional Responsibilities

• Letters of Agreement: In collaboration with the Programs and Events Manager, create and send Letters of Agreement for artists participating in MR programs.
• Data Tracking: maintain tracking for each event; enter program statistics for every MR event in the database.
• Attend weekly Programming meetings and Staff Meetings.
• Supports Associate Director and Programs & Events Manager in facilitating annual application processes (MR at the Judson Church Selection Committee, Artist-in-Residence, Parent Artists Residency).
• Supports Associate Director in the scheduling, planning, and facilitation of Artist-in-Residence cohort meetings, approx. 16 meetings per year (8 per cohort)
• Provide support for artist exchanges including booking flights and accommodations, arranging local transportation, preparation of materials for visiting artists.
• On-going communication and collaboration with the Operations Team regarding: studio spaces, facilities maintenance, artist payments.
• On-going communication and collaboration with the Media and Communications Team relevant to each event. i.e. edits and feedback for website copy and e-blasts.
• All staff are required to contribute office coverage support each week, which includes greeting visitors and fielding phone inquiries.
• When needed, assist Operations Team with general operations
• All staff are required to​ periodically attend Movement Research public events and to serve as administrative staff support to the event coordinators.

About Movement Research

Movement Research is one of the world’s leading laboratories for the investigation of dance and movement-based forms. Valuing the individual artist, their creative process and vital roles within society, Movement Research is dedicated to the creation and implementation of free and low-cost programs that nurture and instigate discourse and experimentation. Movement Research strives to reflect the cultural, political and economic diversity of its moving community, including artists and audiences alike.

Founded in 1978, Movement Research plays a critical role in the dance ecology by providing a generative environment that encourages investigation, discourse, and constructive feedback. MR’s overall structure is participatory, artist-driven, and gives agency to diverse voices inclusive of race, national or ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, and family or parental status. MR is committed to shifting which voices are heard through rotating curatorial, editorial, and teaching structures with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

Movement Research offers 11 interrelated core programs including work-in-process performance series; artist residencies; national/international exchanges; artist curated Festivals and discussions; subsidized rehearsal space; publications (MR Performance Journal and Critical Correspondence); and classes & workshops for professional artists and for students in NYC public schools.