Access to Expression, Arts, and Culture

Access to Expression, Arts, and Culture


Celebrating the African Spirit

https://celebratingtheafricanspirit.org/

Volunteer-run

City of Poughkeepsie, NY

10-15, 12-15 consistently active members team members

Issue Areas: Education Policy and Equity, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Racial Justice

About: 

Founded in 2019, Celebrating the African Spirit’s (CAS’s) mission is to commemorate the lives of enslaved Africans and their descendants in Poughkeepsie and its close surrounds. Slavery existed in Poughkeepsie from the earliest days, and enslaved people laid the economic foundation for the City of Poughkeepsie and the Mid-Hudson Region. Yet there is very little awareness of this history. This lack of knowledge contributes to ongoing denial regarding the consequences of centuries of slavery and the pervasiveness of racism and inequality in America today. Our mission is aimed at all the residents of the City of Poughkeepsie, and CAS concentrates on education as well as public art and culture and direct support for young people.

Expected Responsibilities/Duties:

The spring semester will be a busy time for CAS, given Black History Month, when we will be doing big displays in Adriance Library, and visiting multiple PHS classrooms.  We will also be recruiting fairly early on for our summer intensive program. In addition, we are optimistic that our long-awaited, signature memorial marker, will be underway, and we will be publicizing and fundraising for this.  We are looking for students with:

  • People skills, including experience with both K-12 and older generations of folks.
  • Comfortability and ease with a Black-led and centered, multiracial, multi-class, multi-generational community organization and priorities.
  • Communications, technical, and social media skills.
  • Artistic/design ability

Skills:

  • Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Graphic design, Previous experience working with young people, Research skills, Social media management, Web design

Hours: 4hrs/week, 8hrs/week, we’d take either or both!

Are you interested in getting involved with Celebrating the African Spirit? Visit here for your next steps.


Nature’s Impact

www.naturesimpact.org

Poughkeepsie/ Hudson Valley

1-5 team members

Issue Areas:

Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture

About: 

Nature’s Impact is a social enterprise dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between people and the environment. Through environmental education, sustainable garden design, and thoughtfully curated events, we empower individuals to appreciate, protect, and celebrate the natural world while promoting sustainable practices.

Expected Responsibilities/Duties:

Students will be able to assist with environmental programming, art programming, social media, and research if necessary. Students will learn about organic gardening and working with children.

Skills:

  • Gardening/farming experience, Previous experience working with young people, Social media management

Hours: 4hrs/week, 8hrs/week, I am open to both depending on the students time.

Are you interested in getting involved with Nature’s Impact? Visit here for your next steps.


Poughkeepsie Weekly

poughkeepsieweekly.com

For-profit

Town of Poughkeepsie

1-5 team members

Issue Areas: Poughkeepsie news/journalism, small business, non-profits, and events which can fall under the above issues easily

About: 

The Poughkeepsie Weekly (“PW”) is a weekly e-newsletter intended to inform residents about the businesses, community organizations, and events happening in our Town and the City of Poughkeepsie.

PW believes that with greater communication and more information, residents will be encouraged to support our local businesses, attend our community events and champion the work of our local not-for-profit organizations. It is our hope that PW will bring our community together and contribute to its vibrancy and strength.

Position Description:

A student will support and/or contribute to the Poughkeepsie Weekly by contributing to the editing of the weekly newsletter which includes listing Poughkeepsie events and spotlighting a small business or non-profit. Engaging with subscribers and assisting in growing the following via social media, etc. Assisting in Investigating, researching, or interviewing regarding local issues. Website editing and updates. Importantly: collaborating, sharing, and discussing ideas in an open environment.

Skills:

  • Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Copywriting, Research skills, Social media management, Writing, The skills above are ideal, but not a requirement, our goal is to also teach skills a student would like to learn.

Hours:

Between 4 to 8, but we can certainly stick to a 4 or 8 hour weekly schedule.

Are you interested in getting involved with Poughkeepsie Weekly? Visit here for your next steps.


The Art Effect

thearteffect.org
Non-profit

Address: 45 Pershing Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 and 489 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY

About:

The Art Effect empowers young people to develop their creative voice to shape their futures and bring about positive social change. The Art Effect helps youth explore, experience, and excel in the arts, introducing them to visual arts and media, giving them the opportunity to develop real skills in these fields, and guiding them towards achieving their academic and career goals. We believe that the arts have the power to create a more vibrant, caring, and sustainable world led by a generation of youth who value creative thinking, diverse voices, and stronger connections between all people.

Issue Areas: Education Policy and Equity, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Self-Actualization through professional artistic skills

Position Description:

The Art Effect organizes multidisciplinary art activities, camps and events across the Hudson Valley. We need young, excited assistants to staff these events, organize the data collected, follow up on community engagement opportunities, design promotional material for events, edit photo and video documentation of these events and assist in the teaching of our young artists as they develop their skills and follow their passion.

One of The Art Effect’s three locations is the Trolley Barn Gallery. We are looking for excited, creative students interested in curation, gallery design and art history who want to learn about administrative gallery work and curatorial activism. These students should be interested in design, community engagement, public speaking, have tremendous attention to detail and not be afraid to work with power tools.

We have opportunities for interns and assistants in multiple departments of our organization: fundraising/development, art gallery, public art, video and film, marketing and communications, arts education and event planning.

Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Copywriting, Graphic design, Previous experience working with young people, Research skills, Social media management, Writing, Video editing/production, Data collection/analysis, Curation or gallery design

Hours:  4 hrs/week or 8 hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with The Art Effect? Visit here for your next steps.


Arts Mid-Hudson 

artsmidhudson.org
Non-profit
Address: 696 Dutchess Turnpike Suite F Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
5-10 team members

Issue Areas: Expression, Arts, and Culture

About: The mission of Arts Mid-Hudson is to provide vision and leadership to support thriving and diverse arts in the Mid-Hudson Valley. We value the abundant presence of art in the Mid-Hudson Valley and its ability to uplift, empower, and engage. We honor diversity and celebrate creativity. We are committed to playing a central role in supporting and promoting all of the arts in the communities we serve.

Position Description (Folk Arts):

The student will work with the Folk Arts Program manager to plan two events to take place in early 2024: a gathering of local organizations who present festivals to share ideas and practices: and/or a month of puppetry workshops and performances.  And work on last minute details for the September 30th Gospel Festival. 

Skills: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Copywriting, Research skills, Writing

Position Description (Development):

Arts Mid-Hudson is seeking a passionate and dedicated development intern who will work closely with our Development Associate. Previous fundraising experience is not required, but a willingness to learn relevant skills and interest in development is required. Tasks could include working on fundraising campaigns, creating digital assets, working on fundraising or stewardship events, and data entry and analysis. In addition to gaining hands-on experience in fundraising, you will have the opportunity to work closely with our team and learn about nonprofit operations more broadly. We are looking for someone who is a quick learner, detail-oriented, and able to work independently and as part of a team.

Skills:

  • Strong communication skills via phone and email
  • Ability to write in a clear and effective manner
  • Attention to detail
  • Data entry and management
  • Time management
  • Collaborative work style
  • Proficiency in analyzing and drawing insights from data
  • Creativity
  • Design skills using software such as Canva, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Illustrator.

Hours:  4 hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with Arts Mid-Hudson? Visit here for your next steps.


CONVEY/ER/OR GALLERY & STUDIO

www.suprinasculpture.com

299 Main Street, Poughkeepsie 12601

Issue Areas:

Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Racial Justice

About: 

A gallery space in Poughkeepsie and an art studio for a sculptor that focuses on social, political and environmental art.

Position Descriptions:

  • Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach,
  • Research skills, Social media management, Writing,
  • An interest in light physical prep for sculptor

Desired Skills:

  • Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Research skills, Social media management, Web design, Writing, Video editing/production

Hours: 4hrs/week or 8hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with CONVEY/ER/OR? Visit here for your next steps.


Locust Grove Estate

About:

Locust Grove Estate is a not-for-profit museum, education center, and nature preserve. Set on a hill overlooking the scenic Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York the not-for-profit Locust Grove Estate includes a historic Italianate mansion open for tours, 200 acres of landscaped grounds with five miles of hiking trails, and a visitor welcome center with art galleries, museum shop, and classrooms for educational programs.

Website | Social Media

Address: 2683 South Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Opportunities for Engagement:

  • Students interested in museum collections, history, and material culture are invited to work with the Locust Grove Estate collections and create mini virtual exhibits to improve access to collections not regularly on view to the public. Examples include ceramics, textiles, glass, silver, and paintings.

Hours:  4 hrs/week or 8 hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with the Locust Grove Estate? Visit here for your next steps.


Hudson River Maritime Museum

www.hrmm.org

Non-profit

50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY 12401

10-15 team members

Issue Areas: Expression, Arts, and Culture, Local and Regional History

About: 

The Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM) was established in 1979 and is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and related industries.

Expected Responsibilities/Duties:

The student will assist the HRMM Education Department in revising and delivering curriculum-based education for K-12 audiences on the following topics related to maritime history of the Hudson River: Native American history, early European contact and colonization, Hudson River industrialization, impacts of climate change, and others as needed. The student will also assist in educational efforts for the general public in the form of the museum’s lecture series, including researching prospective speakers, outreach to prospective speakers, and planning and attending lectures.

Skills:

  • Public speaking/presenting, Research skills, Writing

Hours: 4 hours/ week, 8hrs/week


Woodstock Film Festival 

https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/

Address: 13 Rock City Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498

Issue Areas: Film, Community Engagement, Live Events

About: 

The Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that nurtures and supports emerging and established filmmakers, sharing their creative voices through an annual festival and year-round programming to promote culture, diversity, community, educational opportunities and economic growth. 

WFF provides innovative mentoring and inspired educational programs benefitting filmmakers, students and diverse audiences, while serving as a powerful cultural and economic engine for New York’s Hudson Valley and beyond. Such efforts have consistently resulted in the festival being hailed as one of the top regional film festivals worldwide.

The Woodstock Film Festival is an Academy Awards® qualifying festival in the categories of Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, and Documentary Short Film. 

Position Description

Interns work within our operations, digital media and communications/marketing departments promoting and advancing the film festival, year round programming and community initiatives.

Skills: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Copywriting, Fact-checking, Graphic design, Previous experience in this field, Research skills, Social media management, Web design, Writing, Video editing/production

Hours: 8hrs/week

Students would need to have their own vehicle to transport to and from Woodstock.

Are you interested in getting involved with the Woodstock Film Festival? Visit here for your next steps.


The Trolley Barn Gallery

About:

Trolley Barn Gallery is a non-profit gallery that show international arts exhibitions that is curated by our youth curators who are train directly but the Trolley Barn Gallery Manager. We catalyze the community by putting youth in the drivers-seat; empowering them to become community leaders through the arts.

Website | Social Media

Address: 489 Main St, Poughkeepsie NY

Opportunities for Engagement:

  • Administrative and organizational support – answering phones, email follow ups, document filing and cataloguing;
  • Curatorial Assistant – art handling, art cataloguing, communicating with artists and partners, gallery sitting and gallery tours, placing supply orders, running gallery and event related errands
  • Looking for those with strong writing skills and previous experience working with young people!

Hours:  4 hrs/week or 8 hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with the Trolley Barn Gallery? Visit here for your next steps.


Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra

About:

Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, is a non-profit (501(C)(3) organization serving the Hudson Valley, but primarily Dutchess and Ulster Counties. They bring professional classical music to the Hudson Valley at affordable prices. The orchestra regularly features internationally acclaimed guest artists and talented dance ensembles. NDSO is committed to presenting inspiring, accessible and affordable performing arts experiences to a diverse community, including families with children. We attract an audience of lovers of the arts and history as well as actively encourage and support those that have difficulty attending to have the opportunity.

Website 

Address: Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Opportunities for Engagement:

  • Assist the Board of Directors to accomplish our goals. We very recently invested in growth with a new multi-disciplinary strategy program.
  • Attending events and Board meetings
  • Stage production/ management
  • Lobby operations
  • Development and fund raising
  • Governance
  • Marketing/Analytics
  • Advertising
  • Community engagement
  • Social media /website administration
  • Post event debrief/surveying
  • Finance
  • Technology and document management
  •  Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Robert’s Rules of Order and the conducting of Board of Director meetings

Hours:  4 hrs/week or 8 hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra? Visit here for your next steps.


Howland Cultural Center

About:

The non-profit Howland Cultural Center is the ‘Jewel of Beacon’ fostering arts and culture since 1979. We own, preserve, and operate the historic 1872 Richard Morris Hunt building designed as the Howland Circulating Library. The Howland Cultural Center has earned its reputation for its exceptional acoustics and the Northcutt Hall gallery. The galley is open free to the public during weekends and by appointment. Our organization relies solely on the work of volunteers with no paid staff.

Website | Social Media

477 Main Street, Beacon NY 12508

Opportunities for Engagement

  • Broaden outreach to the community for upcoming events
  • Marketing and communications support

Hours:  4 hrs/week or 8 hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with the Howland Cultural Center? Visit here for your next steps.


Stringendo

About:

Stringendo music school nurtures young string players to become passionate musicians and accomplished performers. Through orchestra concerts and fiddle gigs, in private lessons and summer music camps, students cultivate life skills: the ability to listen, to lead and, above all, to work together to achieve the extraordinary.

Website | Social Media

Address: these positions operate out of the Poughkeepsie Public School District

Opportunities for Engagement:

Spanish translation – We are in need of bilingual translators so that all of our communication with the school children and their families can be translated and sent out in both English and Spanish. This is an ongoing hurdle for us. Besides translation of correspondence from English to Spanish, we are also in need of a bilingual speaker at our concerts and events so that announcements made to the audience can be given in both English and Spanish. In addition, it would be helpful to have a bilingual student available if we need to contact a parent who only speaks Spanish.

Media – We would like to have students visit the PK Strings after school programs and/or Saturday mornings orchestras to take pictures and video to record the orchestra’s activity. We want to document the history of the PK Strings project and capture the student progress to show how effective the program is, to encourage our students who will be able to see their progress, and to use as a necessary tool when seeking future funding for the program.

Student interviews – Again, visiting the PK Strings after school programs and/or Saturday morning orchestras to capture student and family interviews is another way we would like to document the program. Hearing students say what they are getting out of the program can assist us in documenting the program’s progress, allow us to be sure we are making a difference, and possibly give us another tool when seeking future funding.

Chaperones – We always need extra hands at our orchestra concerts, so chaperones would be a big help.

String Student Assistants – We could use students to volunteer in the PK Strings after school programs or the Saturday orchestras to help tune instruments and assist the teachers in a variety of ways.

Administrative/organize orchestra transportation – For some students, pickup and drop-off locations change week to week, so we can use help on Saturdays to confirm our drop-off location list with students during orchestra break, be at the bus at dismissal to confirm all students who should get on the bus have gotten on, then give a copy of the confirmed drop-off location list to both the bus driver and Stringendo’s director. This position may also entail making phone calls to check on students who may have been absent from orchestra, or to check on possible changes to bus routes.

Administrative/organize a field trip – Help organize a field trip for the PK Strings students to attend another orchestra’s performance or practice session. Seeing and hearing another accomplished orchestra play can be a source of inspiration for our students. Perhaps a trip to a Vassar College orchestra concert?

Hours:  4 hrs/week or 8 hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with Stringendo? Visit here for your next steps.


Hudson Valley Magazine

Hvmag.com

Address: 1 Summit Court, Fishkill NY 12524

Issue Areas: Expression, Arts, and Culture, Communication/Media/Publishing

About: 

Hudson Valley is a monthly lifestyle magazine that has celebrated the region for 50 years. It divulges in food, travel, home and design, influential and interesting residents, and much more. The Valley Table is a quarterly publication specializing in local cuisine and trends, and organizes Hudson Valley Restaurant Week.

Position Descriptions:

Interns will perform the following duties across both publications:

  • Fact-checking
  • Article research, proofreading, photo outreach
  • Writing front-of-book and department articles for the magazine and website
  • Assisting staff with other functions necessary to produce a monthly magazine and its website (photo shoots, administrative duties, etc.)
  • Pitching and brainstorming content for future issues

Skills:

  • Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Writing

Additional Requirements: Background check

Hours: 4hrs/week or 8hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with HV Mag? Visit here for your next steps.


The Peace Education Center of the Hudson Valley

www.pechv.org

Non-profit

430 Main Street Unit C Rosendale NY 12472

1-5 team members

Issue Areas:Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Racial Justice, peace, justice, climate change

About: 

The mission of the Peace Education Center of the Hudson Valley is to empower individuals and organizations to create and sustain ecologically-minded, just, and peaceful communities.

Founded by The Rev Dr Leonisa Ardizzone in 2023, the Peace Education Center of the Hudson Valley offers programs and dialogical space for youth, families, educators, religious professionals, and community members.

Position Description:

Assist with Peace-Builder day camp for elementary and middle school kids, and grant writing and community outreach

Skills:

  • Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Previous experience working with young people, Writing, (Bilingual is not required, just helpful)

Additional Requirements: Driver’s license would be great if students could be on site in Rosendale for part of the time.

Hours: 4hrs/week, 8hrs/week

Are you interested in getting involved with the Peace Education Center? Visit here for your next steps.


Warring Elementary School Art Classroom

https://www.poughkeepsieschools.org/warring

Poughkeepsie Public Schools

283 Mansion St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Issue Areas:

Education Policy and Equity, Expression Arts & Culture

About: 

Charles B. Warring Elementary School is one of four elementary schools serving City of Poughkeepsie students. In 2019-2020 enrollment was 374.

Expected Responsibilities/Duties:

Assist the art teacher, Ms. Orza, creating plaster masks with students. The masks take about 2 months to complete. You will come on those days and assist Ms. Orza in every step. 🙂CEL students can also support with art club.

Hours: 4 hrs/week; Fifth grade art time is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:10-1:50. On those days students can come 11:45 and stay until 2:30 to help out with other classes and my art club at the end of the day.

Are you interested in getting involved with Warring Elementary Art Class? Visit here for your next steps.


Return to view all CEL Issue Areas here.