A&E Expands Katherine Dunham Fellowship Program

The Arts and Education Council (A&E) announced today the expansion of the Katherine Dunham Fellowship, a program that aims to develop a pipeline of African-American leaders in the arts, to support a second fellowship beginning in fall 2018. Applications for the fall semester are now open and due May 31.

The Katherine Dunham Fellowship is a 16-week learning opportunity designed to prepare African-American individuals who have been historically under-represented in the field of arts administration for careers in the nonprofit arts and culture sector. It provides experience in arts administration, a $3,000 stipend and additional personal and professional enrichment opportunities. Fellows are immersed in fundraising, corporate relations, database management, fiscal and board management and marketing, all critical skills needed to manage an arts organization in the 21st century.

"We have seen incredible support from the St. Louis community since welcoming the Katherine Dunham Fellowship to A&E last fall," said Cynthia A. Prost, A&E president and CEO. "Now, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to expand the program and further its impact in diversifying arts leadership, shaping a more vibrant community for all."

Named in honor of the dancer, choreographer and activist, the Katherine Dunham Fellowship was created and initially funded by Sara and Jack Burke to give African-Americans an opportunity to explore, gain experience in and be mentored in the field of arts administration and to subsequently find employment and achieve success working at local arts and cultural institutions. The expansion of the program to support a second paid fellowship in fall 2018 is made possible by the generous support of Carol Corey and William Holcomb.

Applicants to the Katherine Dunham Fellowship must meet the following qualifications:

• Applicants must be African-American undergraduate juniors or seniors, recent graduates (1-3 years), or graduate level individuals.
• Applicants may come from any academic discipline, not just the arts (ex: liberal arts, business, social work, marketing and communications, etc.).
• Those with a genuine interest to lead and work for an arts organization or cultural institution (dance organizations, museums, theaters, symphonies, performing arts centers, etc.).
• Must be able to work at least two full days per week (approximately 16 hours) between September and December during normal A&E business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. A&E is located in its Centene Center for the Arts, 3547 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 in the Grand Center Arts District.
• Be able to spend approximately 2-5 hours per week on extracurricular activities outside of work (may include attending complimentary arts and culture events, social networking events, A&E special events, Katherine Dunham related events/classes, etc.).

For more information about the Katherine Dunham Fellowship and to apply, visit KeepArtHappening.org/KatherineDunham.

About the Arts and Education Council: The Ripple Effect of the Arts. - The Arts and Education Council (A&E) builds appreciation, participation and support for the arts and arts education throughout the St. Louis community, shaping a more vibrant arts community for all. A&E spreads the ripple effect of the arts across the 16-county, bi-state region by supporting nearly 100 arts organizations through multi-faceted programs, including: Operating and Project Grants; Arts Education Grants for Teachers; Arts Incubation at the Centene Center for the Arts; a Catalyst Innovation Lab; the Katherine Dunham Fellowship; a stARTup Competition for Arts Entrepreneurs; stARTup-StL Crowdfunding Platform; Arts Leadership Management Academy (ALMA); Executive Directors Roundtable; Arts Marketers Professional Development; the Annual St. Louis Arts Awards; and Young Friends of the Arts.

Since its inception in 1963 as the region's only privately-supported united arts fund, the Arts and Education Council has raised and distributed more than $100 million in private funding for the arts - a significant contribution that directly impacts the quality of life in our region. A&E meets all 20 Better Business Bureau Charity Standards and has earned the Wise Giving Seal of Approval, a three-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Guidestar Exchange Silver Participant rating.

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