ABOUT

The Design Apprenticeship is a paid 6 month training program where young creatives will be taught graphic design through real-world learning with an interdisciplinary approach.

Program Details:

Who: Young creatives from ages approximately 14-21
When [M-TH, 4:00-6:30pm, $13/hr, Nov-Mid May, 6 months]
Where [Xavier University, Art Village, 3500 Pine St, New Orleans, LA 70125]

PURPOSE
The purpose of the program is to produce a Black self-directed, civically engaged, hybrid design professional with the ability to identify problems in their own communities and present design solutions.

DESIGN
Concentrating on design thinking, students will develop the visual and technical skills to identify creative opportunities, conceptualize ideas, investigate design solutions, navigate software interfaces, and both present and comment upon visual output in group critiques. This apprenticeship will cover the principles of digital image making, typography, and color theory. Apprentices will produce self-initiated projects, TBS graphics, and real world client work, using photographs, text, and drawn elements such as logos, creating designs that have visual impact and convey intended meaning.

ACTIVISM
This apprenticeship learn community base building and political education from local New Orleans youth activist organization, Rethink, in order to develop design justice strategies that utilize design as a means for transformation. With an emphasis on a human-centered, holistic, and empathic approach, students will apply design justice methodologies to problems and issues in our community.

READING + WRITING
Apprentices engage in the study of Black radicalism, past and present, through a reading and writing program, Liberation Library. We will explore the history, ideas, voices and strategies Black people employed in the struggle to achieve liberation and self-determination. The intention of Liberation Library is to promote a love of reading and advance apprentices’ criticality though social, political, and cultural consciousness. Apprentices will be tasked to produce written and visual work that responds to the oppressors through agitation and innovation.

PERSONAL + PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This apprenticeship explores the possibilities and realities of personal and professional development through our Life School program. Using a whole person development approach we will focus on improving personal and emotional skills, or “soft skills”, in addition to traditional professional skills. Apprentices will be tasked to be active participants in their own growth with regards to the issues of career, finances, spirituality, mental health, physical health, community, family and friends. Apprentices are connected to resources with the assistance of a social worker to aid in their growth.

EXCHANGE PROGRAM
The N.O. X BK Exchange Program is a partnership between Brooklyn Community Arts and Media High School and New Orleans-based art school and The Black School. Between April and June of 2023, 10 students from each school traveled to work together, gain cultural exposure, visit colleges, explore activism-oriented community inquiry and artistic development, and build sister-city bridges.

STAFF
Joseph Cuillier, Creative Director
Jihad Doucette, Design Mentor
Norman Bercey, Junior Design Mentor
Lana Meyon, Reading + Writing Program
Andrea Fullington, Reading + Writing Program

JOB POSTING

Position Summary

The Curatorial Fellow will work to support and amplify our newly created Art Program with The Black School (TBS) Co-founders, the Curator-at-Large (CAL), and the community of New Orleans. 

We are seeking a creative, reliable, enthusiastic, and committed specialist to build a program to connect the goals of TBS. This candidate should have demonstrated working in community-based practices with care and sensitivity, while also platforming the arts as a conduit for change, liberation, and deep engagement.

• Position Type: Part-time (w/ potential for employment after 1st year)
• Compensation: $30K
• Location: Must be New Orleans based

The Fellow should have strong communication, writing, and administrative skills, and possess experience with program planning, development, and implementation. A successful candidate is able to plan initiatives in advance, manage multiple tasks at once, and remain calm amidst challenging and intense workflow periods.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Attend and help promote the program at applicable community meetings
• Identify community stakeholders with strong community support and interest within the geographic areas of focus to create exhibitions, temporary public art, and residency engagement
• Assist in planning community dinners with curators, TBS team, artists, and community stakeholders
• Coordinate between participating artists and community to ensure art program goals are met in tandem with other TBS programs
• Participate in team planning meetings for exhibitions and public programs
• Help plan and execute cross-departmental projects, including writing projects, such as exhibition text, labels, blog posts, and papers
• Aid with collaborative research projects for exhibitions and public programs
• Work with CAL and TBS team to identify local artists
• Provide administrative and logistic support to CAL and TBS
• Support the newly developed Artist-in-Residence by providing logistical assistance and coordinating community connection touch points between the artist and the community connected to the project
• Other duties as assigned

Experience and Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, etc.) 
• General understanding and appreciation of art, art history, and public programs
• Knowledge of community organizing and engagement practices, with at least two years of experience in community outreach program development and implementation
• Ability to network and think creatively about building collaborative reciprocal and trust-based partnerships with local community members and other stakeholders
• Familiarity with meeting management and facilitation, with the capacity to contribute to team-centered work
• Understanding of project management practices and ability to collect and process data as it relates to outreach and engagement activities
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include weeknights, extended days, weekends, and some holidays
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Strong logistical experience, with commitment to details
• Detail-oriented, prompt, professional, reliable, highly organized, detail-oriented, self-starter
• Passion about achieving The Black School’s mission and the communities we serve

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

The Black School, Inc. follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, criminal justice background, and marital status.

This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public.

JOB POSTING

Position Summary

The Studio Manager will be experienced in office or studio management and youth development with the passion to work for an emerging Black-owned, youth-staffed, community oriented graphic design firm and creative agency. This role will act as liaison between clients and the rest of the TBS: Design Studio team, while reporting to the Creative Director, and manage our in-house clothing and merchandise brand.

• Position Type: Full time
• Salary: $50K base + performance-based bonuses + benefits
• Location: Must be New Orleans based
• Work Model: Hybrid
• Deadline: Oct 24, 2023
• Start date: early-Nov

Duties include but are not limited to overseeing the design studio’s daily operations; managing projects; and workforce/whole-person development for the design apprenticeship. Responsibilities also include ensuring all design briefs are assigned to junior designers according to a designer’s skills and strengths, ensuring all client work is delivered in a timely fashion at a high quality. The Studio Manager should have excellent organizational and communication skills and motivate their team by demonstrating efficient leadership.

The Studio Manager should have a strong understanding of how to both achieve and develop project briefs to achieve client needs and successful design. The ideal candidate for this position will successfully help to scale up the studio’s business to reflect the potential of our already working model. This team member’s contribution will enable the future growth of both TBS: Design Studio and their position within it. 

Workplace Model

Initially, the Studio Manager can work a hybrid schedule, as long as reliable internet access is available. They will be asked to attend, and assist with, Design Apprenticeship sessions, currently based at Xavier’s Art Village. However, once the Design Studio has a dedicated space in The Black Schoolhouse, the Studio Manager will be asked to work in-person. Regardless of the model being followed, this position will be filled by someone that is New Orleans-based.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Manage the studio’s daily operations and staff, including administrative needs such as scheduling and timekeeping
• Ensure that work produced is high quality, meets all program objectives, and is delivered in a timely, cost-effective manner
• Provide regular updates to the Creative Director to ensure projects are assigned appropriately and all operations reflect the studio’s goals and standards
• Proactively identify and communicate potential issues and problem solve with the extended team
• Facilitate all aspects of the workflow for multiple design projects, including identifying roles and responsibilities and setting expectations; developing project briefs; streamlined and efficient delivery; review, analysis, quality control, and assessment; and tracking and progress reporting 
• Manage the creative production process; from creating project briefs to producing contracts, resourcing/outsourcing, production, asset delivery, invoicing, payment collections, and archiving
• Coordinate Junior Designers (such as graduates of the TBS Design Apprenticeship program) to ensure project deadlines and client needs are met
• Develop and facilitate the whole-person and workforce Development component of Design Apprenticeship, which combines essential skills and training with resources to help the design apprentices and junior designers grow as individuals and leaders in their community.
• Build strong working relationships with clients to understand their needs and priorities, clarify objectives, and clearly communicate plans
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the e-commerce store, including product fulfilment and shipment; ensuring that the store backend is routinely updated and functioning properly, and store fronts are regularly maintained in order to optimize customer experience and maximize revenue 
• Advance products inspired by Black radical art, politics, and education to generate revenue
• Work with team to plan, develop, and implement merchandise marketing initiatives
• Help develop and oversee art print subscription plan
• Other duties as assigned

Experience and Qualifications:

• At least one year of office and/or studio management experience preferred, with some experience managing a remote or hybrid team
• At least one year working with youth in a development or education capacity
• Willingness to learn about the discipline of design and creative industries, with an understanding and or a curiosity about trends in design, clothing, and mechandising
• Experience with project management tools and strategic marketing 
• Proficiency with copywriting
• Willingness to learn to use website management software to update studio portfolio website and shop
• Capability to manage projects and teams in a Black youth-focused organization
• Strong contingency planning and time management skills, with an eagerness to meet deadlines
• Ability to be a self-starter and take initiative, with the motivation to act resourcefully and work independently with high attention to detail
• Passion about achieving The Black School’s mission and the communities we serve

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

The Black School, Inc. follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, criminal justice background, and marital status.

This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public.

Deadline Friday, October 24, 2023