Slought Foundation

Opportunities at Slought

Slought is a collaborative volunteer institution that generates projects and exhibitions in Philadelphia, in the world, and online. Your involvement, in any capacity, enables these processes and undertakings!

Essentially, Slought engages artists, communities, and civic institutions in dialogue about cultural and socio-political change. Consequently, those involved at Slought tend to enjoy conversation and are open to thinking and practicing at the intersections of art, advocacy, and social theory. They are also willing to immerse themselves in an intensive and demanding production schedule characteristic of small organizations.

Those involved tend to not to be seeking a conventional academic fellowship or professional internship program, and are willing to negotiate their own positions in response to others. Please note that we do not see ourselves as a museum, alternative space, or gallery focused on cultural presentation and display; rather, we aspire towards a dialogic, consensus-driven approach to cultural production. Before applying, we advise that you consult our mission and statement of values, which informs our organization and its activities (http://slought.org/info/values.php). We also encourage you to reflect on and share with us what you expect and need from the fellowship.

As Slought is a primarily volunteer driven organization, we recognize that applicants may be pursuing other opportunities and maintaining other jobs. Please be attentive to the daily requirements and position timelines as specified by each position in relation to your other existing commitments and financial needs. Because our projects are shaped by the individuals involved in them and the trust that develops over time, it is crucial that applicants agree to commit to the full term of their fellowship before moving onto other positions.

Please also note that as a small non-profit, everyone involved at Slought is expected to assist in everyday tasks crucial to the organization's operations. This includes working during public hours, contributing to general housekeeping, and occasionally helping with installations and attending live events. All staff are equally involved with these tasks, which we consider no less important or dignified than research and curatorial activities.

Feel free to contact us if you have any other questions before you apply. To apply, fill out the online form to notify us of your interest, then send a brief letter outlining your interests and qualifications to Aaron Levy, Executive Director (Contact Information). After you have submitted an application, we will review and discuss it internally. We will then contact you about next steps and possible interviews.

Fellowships

Slought offers unpaid fellowships for aspiring and practicing cultural producers and practitioners (artists, curators, researchers, activists, etc) interested in working in a highly collaborative and creative team. The program is intended for individuals interested in the intersections between art practice, curatorial work, advocacy, critical theory, social responsiveness, and non-profit administration who are actively developing their work and career. Typically, fellows have completed their undergraduate studies in recent years and are in a transitional moment, have previous involvement with other cultural organizations, and have initiated or worked with others on projects.

Applicants must be based in Philadelphia during the time of the fellowship, and must commit to regularly scheduled hours each week for one project cycle/programming year, which is typically a 10-12 month period. While Slought is fundamentally volunteer driven, funding opportunities for fellows can be obtained through project grants. Whenever possible, travel support and in-kind stipends are provided as pertains to the project. Collaborative speaking engagements together with other Slought staff are also encouraged.

Fellows at Slought work in one of two tracks: 1) on one long-term initiative, or 2) on a variety of short-term projects. Fellowship candidates for long-term initiatives must be self-motivated, already familiar with the questions and topics raised by the initiative, and able to work both independently and as part of a team. Those applying to work on short-term projects must demonstrate a broad range of intellectual interests and technical qualifications, and be able to multi-task in a responsible, yet proactive manner.

All fellows are expected to assist with development and fundraising activities for their respective projects.

Fellowship Track 1: Long-term initiatives
1. John Cage | How to Get Started
Primary mentors: Ken Saylor, Aaron Levy, Arthur J. Sabatini
Additional collaborators: Prem Krishnamurthy (Project Projects), Laura Kuhn (John Cage Trust), Peter Price
http://www.howtogetstarted.org

This fellowship is offered yearly to one individual to guide the development of Slought's long-term, interactive installation featuring a rarely heard performance by John Cage. It is intended for those with a dedicated interest in fields such as public engagement, performance, new media, and sound. The fellow is responsible for coordinating all activities associated with the project, including but not limited to coordinating and conducting recording sessions for public engagements and invited guests, and, in time, possibly extending the scope of the project beyond the space and time of its physical location.

2. Neighborhood Projects
Mentors and collaborators: Jacqui Bowman (The College of Physicians of Philadelphia), Mimi Cheng (Slought), Estudio Teddy Cruz, Amy Hillier (PennDesign), Aaron Levy (Slought), Kira Strong (People’s Emergency Center), and others

This fellowship is offered yearly to one individual to contribute to a series of long term projects in Philadelphia that respond to the crisis in community participation by addressing public health, youth fatality, and other neighborhood issues. Specifically, these projects will include a data visualization project with The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, and an alternative educational model with People's Emergency Center. This fellowship is best suited to those with previous experience in community organizing, classroom instruction, social work, or project management. Fellows should be able to negotiate diverse voices and sensitivities, and be comfortable working in a process-driven manner in which the process determines the outcome.

3. Fairytale Project
Primary mentors: Melissa Lam (Hong Kong), Aaron Levy
Additional collaborators: FAKE Studio, Dukode Studio, and Anonymous others
http://fairytaleproject.net (new website to launch Summer 2012)

This fellowship is offered yearly to one individual to coordinate a global translation effort. The primary responsibilities of the fellow is to actively seek out volunteer translators to work with documents associated with Ai Weiwei's 2007 project Fairytale, in which 1,001 Chinese citizens were invited to travel to Kassel, Germany as part of a project about identity, memory, love, dreams, and the possibility of cultural dialogue. These documents include 1001 portraits, 1001 questionnaires, 92 interviews, 150,000 photographs, and other multimedia files from the participants. The fellow will also facilitate an effort to re-establish contact and re-interview participants on the fifth anniversary of the original event. Please note that applicants with a strong background in Mandarin Chinese and/or German will be highly considered.

4. In narrow or wider circles...
Project partners and mentors: Eduardo Cadava, Aaron Levy
Additional collaborators: Huma Mulji, David Alesworth
http://slought.org/content/11470/

This fellowship is offered yearly to one individual who will coordinate conversations for in narrower or wider circles..., a long-term installation at Slought that seeks to foster a space for inter-cultural conversation and research about the state of art and advocacy. The primary responsibility of the fellow is to actively engage with leading practitioners whose work expands art and advocacy and entails distinctive methodologies. The fellow is responsible for coordinating, researching, co-conducting, and editing the interviews for the project.

Fellowship Track 2: Short-term projects
Curatorial and Research Projects
Mentors: Aaron Levy, Ken Saylor, Megan Schmidgal, Mimi Cheng
Additional collaborators: Jean-Michel Rabate, Osvaldo Romberg

This fellowship is offered yearly to one individual to work with Slought staff and leading practitioners to realize numerous exhibitions, events, and research initiatives throughout the programmatic year. This is a fundamentally collaborative position. However, unlike the other fellowship positions, the fellow has the opportunity to take a leadership role on developing and producing projects. The fellow will also be expected to take a supporting role in others. The fellow should be comfortable with and enjoy working across disciplines, methodologies, and personalities, and assuming administrative responsibilities. In comparison to the other fellowships, this position requires that the fellow juggle multiple production schedules.

Internships

Slought Foundation announces its 2012 internship opportunities for individuals and students who have a dedicated interested in artistic practice. Based upon their experience and available projects, interns will assist Slought staff and fellows on either a specific project or a series of projects.

Applicants of diverse disciplines, backgrounds and languages are strongly encouraged to apply. The number of positions offered at any time varies according to the organization's needs, and opportunities range from three months to twelve months. If the applicant is an undergraduate student, academic credit may be arranged at their schools' discretion. Application should be made at least one to two months prior to the start date.

As an intern, you may be asked to work on the following:

Research and Editorial
Administrative and Development
Event Preparations
Exhibition Installation

To apply, fill out the form to notify us of your interest, then send a brief letter outlining your interests, with professional and technical qualifications, to Aaron Levy, Executive Director (Contact Information).

Volunteering

Slought Foundation is built upon the dedication and support of its volunteers. Volunteers create a welcoming environment for our public, enhancing their understanding and enjoyment of our exhibitions and events. We depend on our team of volunteers each week, and reach out to them on a need basis through the use of an email listserv. Prior experience in art handling and installation, audio/visual engineering, arts administration, development, editorial research, and other specialized skills is particularly helpful. Even something as simple as gallery sitting during public hours can be extremely helpful.

Positions are available for weekdays and weekends during our regular hours, evenings during our live events, and during exhibition installation. To apply, fill out the form to notify us of your interest and specific skills.