Welcome Pentacle’s Arts Management Training Fellows
Pentacle’s new Arts Management Training Fellowship (AMTF) serves emerging arts administrators of color with 1-3 years of experience in the field. In addressing the decline of members in our community ability to transition from early to mid-career, a gap that is even wider for administrators of color, this program is aimed at cultivating the next generation of arts leaders who will steer the field towards increased equity and access.Since Pentacle’s inception, we have remained committed to engaging a community of early career arts administrators.
Now we look to actively develop and mentor the next generation of arts leaders. Growing out of our 2019 pilot, Arts Management Training Program, and our long-running Internship Program, the year-long Arts Management Training Fellowship supports two emerging arts administrators of color dedicated to the advancement of the field.
We are excited to introduce our two fellows, Mykel Nairne (Development) and Gerard Minaya (Marketing), and thank them for their flexibility and patience as we navigated a remote start to the program. The program activities are continuing as planned amidst the coronavirus thanks to the dedication of Pentacle’s staff, NYSCA’s Regional Economic Development Council, and The New York Community Trust.
Please join us in welcoming our two fellows, Mykel and Gerard and read their full bios below.
Mykel Marai Nairne
Mykel Marai Nairne (she/her) was born and raised in New York City, where she attended The Dalton School and was a fellowship student at The Ailey School. She earned her BA in Film and Media Studies with a concentration in documentary video production from Dartmouth College in 2016. While completing her undergraduate degree, Mykel worked as a Marketing and Arts Administration Intern for the Alvin Ailey Foundation Inc. and, upon graduating, went on to work as an Education Intern at Mark Morris Dance Center. As a freelance dance artist, she has had the privilege of performing with Monica Bill Barnes & Company and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, as well as with the Off-Broadway production of OKLAHOMA! at St. Ann’s Warehouse, directed by Daniel Fish. She currently dances with Dance Heginbotham. Mykel hopes her experiences as a student, professional dance artist, and life-long champion of the Arts will inform and enhance her ability to support other artists, administratively and otherwise.
Gerard Minaya
Gerard Minaya (he/they) graduated from Idyllwild Arts Academy and obtained their BFA in dance from The University of the Arts. Prior to joining Pentacle as Marketing Fellow, they’ve explored both the performing arts and arts management in different capacities. They’re currently Programming Associate at BAAD! The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, where they’ve had immense growth, both artistically & administratively. They also serve on the board of Ladies Who Bronché, a podcast. They’ve danced for Ballet Hispanico’s BHdos, Ronald K. Brown/ Evidence, A Dance Company’s “Truth Don Die”, jumatatu m. poe & Donte Beacham’s “Let ‘Im Move You: This Is A Formation”, Pioneers Go East Collective’s “Virgo Star”, Curet Performance Project, and has collaborated for several projects with Baker + Tarpaga Dance Project. Gerard has also presented their solo dance-performance works among various performance spaces in NYC, Philadelphia, New Jersey, night clubs, and possibly the most precious among them all, in their Bronx living room.
Learn more about the Fellowship
Pentacle’s International Dance day Celebration
Watch our staff’s celebration of International Dance Day. They have been extraordinary during this uncertain time, please join us in thanking them for their continued service to the field in addition to welcoming our newest staff member, Artist Services Administrator, Erin Kenna, who joined days after our celebration.
Program Updates
Expansion of Financial Urgent Care to benefit arts community
In response to a prevalent need in the community for immediate and comprehensive financial relief for arts nonprofits and individual artists, Pentacle’s Financial Urgent Care will now offer pro bono financial assistance for artistic entities with annual operating budgets under $125,000 and significantly subsidized rates for those with budgets over $125,000. The expansion of Financial Urgent Care is possible through the generosity of the Howard Gilman Foundation.
WORK WITH A HIGH SCHOOL ARTS INTERN THIS SPRING!
After much consideration with our interns, participating companies, and staff, in early April, our Education & Outreach team transitioned our NEW High School Internship Program to remote-learning! Now in our fourth week, our interns are successfully working with their companies and learning new skills from experts in the field. Together they have already covered the basics of nonprofit structures, budgeting, and arts marketing. The program will conclude the first week of June.
Keep up with Pentacle’s Roster from home
Join David Dorfman every Monday on IG Live at 12pm EDT (@dorfmandance); on Wednesday, May 13, BRIDGMAN | PACKER will premiere a new dance film as a part of 19 Acts of Covid-19 Bravery & “Save the Date” for the next Guggenheim Virtual Works & Process featuring Dance Heginbotham, Sunday, May 31 at 7:30pm EDT. Follow Pentacle’s Instagram for updates!
Read Clarissa Soto Josephs’ nextSteps welcome
A NEW website providing free online resources for nonprofits, individual artists, dance companies, theater companies, and performers is launching shortly. Catch a sneak peek of the content and read Associate Director, Clarissa Soto Josephs’ welcome note. Join our new mailing list for the latest updates and the opportunity to let us know what you need advice on especially now due to COVID-19.