BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange, founded in 1991, is a multigenerational arts organization nurturing creative expression and artistic process through education, residencies, and performance at the intersection of arts and social justice. 

BAX is dedicated to serving artists in progress, from children to professionals, at all ages and stages of development. The multi-faceted nature of BAX programs annually invites over 10,000 students, families, artists, audiences, and community members to embark on, and share creative journeys. For three decades, BAX has honored the power of performing arts to connect and transform individuals and communities. The education programs, artist residencies, affordable rehearsal space, community engagement opportunities, mentorship, and performances, all center artists from historically underrepresented backgrounds and prioritize lived and embodied experiences, and access, regardless of ability to pay.

Our Working Values

Accessibility, choice making, collaboration, community, creativity, equity, exchange, experimentation, performance, radical hospitality, skill building.

Our Aspirations

BAX commits to building equity across our programs, policies, budgets, and culture.

This work demands that we identify and interrupt narratives and structures that uphold white supremacy, sexism, and ableism. We respond to this call with rigorous intention and in collaboration with artists, families, students, collaborators, audiences, supporters, neighbors, board, and staff. And so we are accountable to our multiple communities and continue to learn and change while taking immediate and long-term strategic action.

We aspire to cultivate a sustainable and just creative ecology where artists of all ages and stages thrive.

BAX’s Education Department actively engages in discussions about how race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and other aspects of identity affect access to, representation in, and experience within all of our programs and curriculum. BAX is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and developing an inclusive staff team. Disabled, BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and bi/multilingual individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Fall 2023 Education Apprentice is an exceptional opportunity for an early professional to learn about the inner-workings of a non-profit organization, community-based cultural center, and arts education department. This paid apprenticeship will have an opportunity to participate in hands-on support to our Teaching Artists during classes, and be a leader during our School Pick Up Program, including setting up materials for the afternoon, facilitating short activities, and picking up children from local schools for their BAX classes. This position is a vital part of the Education team, and will be co-supervised by the Senior Manager of Education Programs and the Education Programs Associate.

APPRENTICESHIP COMMITMENT

This apprenticeship is a 10-12 hour per week commitment, with consistent hours from approx. 1:30-5:30pm during our after school studio class time. The apprentice will work 3 days per week between Monday-Thursday (final schedule will be determined based on Education Department needs and apprentice’s availability). Occasional evening and weekend hours will be expected to support Education Department performances and special events. 

• This position will be fully in-person (some exceptions may apply — to be determined with Supervisor);
• Candidates must be available to start immediately after Labor Day and continue through the duration of the Fall Education Term, i.e. September 11 to February 3, 2024 (with a Winter Break from Monday, December 18 through Monday, January 1, and additional holidays including a Thanksgiving Break, and other national/state and NYC Department of Education holidays). 
• If the apprentice and Education Department are mutually agreeable, the apprenticeship may have the possibility of extending through the Spring 2024 semester (ending June 15, 2024). 
• Exact weekly schedule and duration of commitment will be confirmed with the Senior Manager of Education Programs upon an apprenticeship offer.

COMPENSATION 

$16/hour; College/university credit and/or a volunteer agreement can also be arranged.

Apprentice duties will include:

• Assisting in weekday School Pick Up program (school pick up, activity prep, facilitation and student supervision, etc.);
• Providing hands-on support as an assistant to BAX faculty, including set-up and breakdown of studio classes (e.g. setting up tumbling mats, props, etc.); 
• Providing hands-on support during Education Department events and performances (including, but not limited to, Fall Open House, Open Classes for Family Observation, Student Concerts, and Faculty cohort meetings and/or Professional Development sessions); 
• Helping to maintain and keep tidy education spaces, supplies, costumes and props;
• Maintaining BAX Building bulletin boards and community engagement projects, aligned with BAX’s mission and the Education Department Core Values;
• Assisting the Education Department in various administrative tasks that support all BAX Education programs.

Send a resume and include a brief cover letter in the body of your email to education@bax.org with the subject line, “Fall 2023 Education Programs Apprentice.” 

• Your Email Cover Letter should:
  • Specify your interest in the position, BAX as an organization, and how this role aligns with your long term career goals. Specifically, ideal candidates will familiarize themselves with BAX’s mission and Education Core Values and reflect on how these values align with their own. 
  • Include relevant experience and your 2023/2024 schedule availability. 
  • Include the contact information (phone and email) and professional relationship for 2-3 references.

HIRING PROCESS

• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, beginning in late August until the position has been filled.
• Zoom interviews with selected candidates will be scheduled with BAX’s Senior Manager of Education Programs.
• Applications should be sent by email only please, no phone calls. Given the high volume of responses, only those applicants who will be invited for an interview will be contacted. Please note that the BAX Building is closed for annual maintenance from August 19 to September 5, 2023.
• Questions? Email Ashley Thaxton-Stevenson (BAX Senior Manager of Education Program) at ashley@bax.org.