ARTS. WORK. LIFE. is looking for your bold, untold stories for Season 3! Whether you work on-stage or behind-the-scenes, we want to hear from you.  The final deadline of April 9th is approaching! Submit your story at ArtsWorkLife.org ..read more

Learn how you can share your personal story in Season 3. Visit ArtsWorkLife.org Priority deadline is March 21st. ARTS. WORK. LIFE. is produced by APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professionals) with support from The Wallace Foundation ..read more

Even a simple setback can derail a career, so knowing when it’s time to change direction – or step away entirely – is invaluable. The storytellers in Episode 6 share their experiences navigating health crises, job transitions, and personal loss and the unexpected and welcomed relief, joy, confidence, and grace that can follow. Content warning: This episode mentions eating disorders from 2:15 to 3:23 and from 5:05 to 8:24. You can find mental health resources on APAP’s website. Intro: “Pushing Buttons” and Act One: “A Coda and A Compromise” with Roselie Samter, the founder and violist in the Vi ..read more

Let’s leave the “starving artist” trope firmly in the past -- The stories in Episode 2 are all about money: staying in the green while promoting pay equity, doing the hustle, healthcare scares, and making money by making change. Introduction: “In The Green” with Lynn Neuman, who lives in Benton Harbor, Michigan and is the artistic director of Artichoke Dance Company, which is based in Brooklyn, New York. Act One: “Running The Numbers” with Thamara Bejarano, the executive director of Open Scene, a Spanish-language theater company outside Orlando, Florida. Act Two: “Out of Pocket, Out of Luck ..read more

ARTS. WORK. LIFE. is back. This summer, hear the bold, untold stories from behind the scenes of the performing arts industry. Artists, managers, advocates, and educators share pivotal moments in their personal and professional lives ..read more

In this special bonus episode, the panel from the “Stop Talking, Start Listening: Finding Common Ground with Young Arts Workers” session featured in the last episode reconvene to debrief and unpack audience feedback. Javier Stell-Fresquez, Lexis Hamilton, and Tariq Darrell O'Meally respond to audience questions about authenticity, “paying your dues,” and connecting with colleagues from different generations and backgrounds ..read more

An organization is the sum of its people, so decisions about who to recruit, who to hire, and who to fire radically shape an organization's work culture. This is especially true in the human-centered work of the arts, where culture matters. The storytellers in Episode 5 put the human back in human resources as they share personal experiences about barriers to hiring, tokenism, layoffs, and what we can learn from other industries before it’s too late. Intro: “You and Whose Army” with Yukio Kuniyuki, executive director of the San Angelo Performing Arts Center. Act One: “Turning The Page” with Em ..read more

“Community” is a popular buzzword in the performing arts, but how do we truly deliver on its promise? It takes intentional effort to build a supportive work community, secure community gathering spaces, find a place to belong, and truly serve our audiences. The storytellers in Episode 4 share their unique experiences with space, place and community. Intro: “Make Some Noise” with Rick Whitaker, the concerts and theater manager for The Italian Academy at Columbia University. Act One: “For The Record” with Taylor Abrahamse, a singer, songwriter, voice actor and entrepreneur. Act Two: “Stirring Th ..read more

Being prematurely judged or misunderstood can be frustrating, limiting and even harmful. In the final episode of Season 2, artists and arts administrators share stories of pushing boundaries, subverting categories and defying expectations. Act One: “Up-Rising” with Emily Isaacson, a conductor and the founding director of Classical Uprising in Portland, Maine. Act Two: “Such Creatures” with Luke Greeff, a dancer, choreographer, circus artist, and educator in Chicago, Illinois. Act Three: “More Than Madness” with Sam Simon, a playwright, author and actor in McLean, Virginia. You can find a full ..read more

Content warning: description of sexual harassment between 9:10 and 10:05 and brief mention of sexual abuse of minors between 24:09 and 24:49. The best workplaces provide safety and support for their teams: permission to innovate, protection from harassment, support during difficult times, and a safety net for workers.n Episode 5, artists and arts administrators share stories of how their workplaces either provided that safety and support—or didn't. Introduction: “Starting From Scratch” with Josh A. Campbell, a curator and engagement and education professional in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Act ..read more