My Global Hustle

Kehinde Wiley has made a name for himself painting African-American men in heroic poses in front of bright, Baroque backgrounds. The consistency and vividness of his style has made him one of the more sought-after — and collectible — young artists working today. But for his first exhibition at Sean Kelly Gallery, which signed the artist to its roster last year, Wiley will make a departure. For the first time, he will paint women.

The exhibition, “An Economy of Grace,” features portraits of African-American women Wiley cast on the streets of New York City. But rather than paint them in their own clothes, as Wiley has done in the past with his male subjects, the artist collaborated with Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci to design six unique dresses for the models. (Before they began work on the gowns, Wiley and Tisci spent hours walking through the galleries of the Lourve for inspiration.)

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PROGRAM INTERNSHIP

The Laundromat Project (The LP) is a community-based public art non-profit that brings arts programming to laundromats in the Greater New York and Philadelphia areas.

Position Description

The LP seeks interns to help support day-to-day operations for their core programs: Create Change and Works in Progress.

Create Change offers New York and Philadelphia-based artists of color the opportunity to realize a public art project in their local laundromat over a 6-month period.  This program also provides artists of all backgrounds access to a series of professional development workshops designed to deepen their artistic approaches to making socially-engaged artwork. These workshops are led by accomplished professionals on topics ranging from funding and legal concerns to forming community partnerships and writing artist statements for non-art audiences.  Create Change culminates every autumn with our annual Public Art Potluck, where the LP invites a chef to create a unique menu of sustainable and local food as we celebrate and share ideas about socially-engaged artwork, community, and sustainability. 

Works in Progress brings art workshops to laundromats, festivals, and after-school settings throughout New York City.  In the past year, artists and volunteers have led participants in silk-screening tote bags, bleach batik, jewelry-making, paper sculpture, quilt-making and many other techniques at workshops everywhere from Harlem to Bed-Stuy to the Lower East Side. 

In addition to assisting with these programs, LP interns will have the chance to become involved in a variety of supporting projects and special events.  These include artist talks and panels, our annual environmental and art festival conducted in partnership with other Brooklyn-based organizations, and our new after-school program for Harlem Teens, Tomorrow Eyes.  Whenever possible, interns will have the chance to focus on those programs which most appeal to their personal and career interests.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent research and editing skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Has experience working in contemporary art, arts education, public art, social practice, social justice sectors, and/or related settings
• Must be dependable and punctual
• Ability to creatively problem solve
• Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and InDesign
• Fluency in the Mac + PC computer platforms with MS Office
• Proficiency navigating and maintaining social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr)
• Ability to work well collaboratively and independently
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once
• Is able to lift at least 25lbs

Responsibilities

Selected candidates will support The Laundromat Project staff and consultants as they plan and implement theWorks in Progress art workshop series; manage scheduled programs for Create Change Residents and Fellows; and promote both programs via the organization’s social media and press platforms.

More detailed responsibilities may include:

• Providing support in preparation of special events, including artist talks, street festivals, community-based art workshops
• Assisting with application processing for The LP’s Create Change Public Artist Residency and Professional Development Fellowship
• Helping develop content for The LP’s monthly e-newsletter, social media accounts, and blog
• Assisting with managing our online store, which may include updating product listings, sending sold merchandise, and/or corresponding with customers.
• Supporting artists with the coordination of logistics for their public art projects
• Preparing and updating press packets
• Conducting research on socially-engaged art making, social justice-related art projects, and related topics

Commitment

Candidates should be available for 2 days/week (may include some weekends) May 15 – August 24, 2012. Dates can be tailored to accepted candidates’ school schedules if applicable.

Compensation

This is an unpaid internship, but working for The LP does offer the opportunity to gain first-hand experience with daily operations of running a non-profit arts organization. Academic credit can also be arranged.

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