LAA+ Fellow to participate in artist residency in Arctic Circle

LAA+ Fellow Chris King

When you think of the Arctic Circle, it usually brings to mind a frozen landscape, polar bears, and perhaps, Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. Few people will likely visit this distant place, let alone create works of art there. However, a select group of scientists, artists, educators, and activists are chosen twice a year to join The Arctic Circle program, a one-of-a kind international residency. For three weeks participants live aboard a tall ship, working on individual and collaborative projects as they float through the icy world.

Chris King, a Founding Fellow of the Louisiana A+ Schools program, will be calling the Arctic Circle home from October 2-20, 2014. As an artist and educator, King has served as head of the Visual Arts Program and Gallery Director at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) in Natchitoches since 2008. His artwork includes painting, sculpture, performance, and video and has been exhibited in venues such as Diverse Works (Houston, TX), Acadian Center for the Arts (Lafayette, LA), Cirrus Gallery (Los Angeles, CA), Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE), and the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art.

During the Arctic Circle residency, King intends to document his journey with digital photography and video – with plans to create a website upon his return. The ideas of innovation and experimentation are central to the residency, and King will explore various creative methods including drawings on ice and using ice as a mold for casting sculptural objects. The pieces he creates will result in an exhibition in 2015, as well as a public presentation at LSMSA about his experience in the Arctic.

The collaborative nature of the program is a source of inspiration for King and draws a striking parallel to the work he does with Louisiana A+ Schools program. He elaborates, “My dedication to being a Louisiana A+ Fellow inspired me to pursue opportunities for collaboration with experts in all academic areas, which led me to this residency program. This is a once in a lifetime adventure bringing artists and scientists together, and I intend to make the most of it. I can’t wait to share my story with the LAA+ community.”

To learn more about The Arctic Circle residency, visit www.thearcticcircle.org.

Now Hiring Office and Events Coordinator

Louisiana A+ Schools, a program of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, is seeking applicants for the position of Office and Events Coordinator.



Position Summary:

Provides programmatic and administrative assistance to the Director of Louisiana A+ Schools, a program of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts.. Renders administrative decisions to carry out a program, acts collaboratively in executing and bringing focus and cohesiveness to the program. Plans and makes arrangements for a wide variety of events for Louisiana A+ Schools and encompassing the state of Louisiana, ranging from special meetings with the program partners up to regional meetings involving hundreds of people. This position assumes the responsibility to work within the organizational constraints, secure cooperation from others in the organization, focus the program on meeting the goals intended, manage available resources wisely and keep the program on schedule. The Office and Events Coordinator is responsible for bookkeeping, budgeting, and facilitating partnerships for the good of the organization.



Administrative Responsibilities:

· Facilitates communication between A+ staff, A+ Fellows, consultants, and schools participating in the LAA+ Schools Program.

· Assists with public relations and publicity material, including social media

· Coordinates and participates in staff meetings, regional meetings, state conferences, local conferences and annual summer institutes, some of which happen on weekends, with A+ staff, A+ Fellows, consultants, and public school personnel including site planning and booking locations, invitations, catering, program and/or entertainment, materials, scheduling payments, notifications and follow up with participants.

· Makes travel arrangements.

· Monitors budget and bookkeeping supplies and equipment.

· Seeks proposals from vendors, caterers, printers, rental companies, hotels motels, etc.

· Initiates contracts.

· Assesses effectiveness at the conclusion of various meetings or conferences using working knowledge, observation and solicited written comments from participants.

· Regularly reports to the Director of the A+ Schools Program.

· Maintains the A+ database and Dropbox, which consists of multiple tables, forms and reports.

· Maintains LAA+ Calendar

· Develops invoices, reimbursement forms and registration materials.

· Provides reimbursement for travel expenses, stipends, etc.

· Collects forms and verifies for accuracy.

· Submits forms for payment.



Supervision Received by Employee:

· The A+ Coordinator reports to the Director of the A+ Schools program. The position requires a great deal of self-supervision and initiative. Work is reviewed by conferences and meetings with the employee and by the results of performed duties.

· The LAA+ Office and Events Coordinator receives instructions from the Director of the program; however, the Coordinator is expected to work independently, to appropriately prioritize tasks and to exercise his or her judgment and initiative.



Dynamics of Work:

The work in this position is marked by continuous change and progress. The Coordinator can expect considerable interruptions in work and changes in the level of activity, and must be prepared to be flexible. This individual must be able to juggle a number of duties at one time and be able to deal with the challenges that normally accompany this type of work environment. The work varies from that of an administrator, conference and event planner and secretary which requires a great deal of flexibility and ability to shift gears and concentrate without losing thought process or progress.



Experience Requirements:

Excellent oral and written communication, public relations, and organizational skills required. Must pay attention to detail. Ability to follow instructions and work independently. Must be able to work in a busy environment and maintain a positive attitude. Ability to contribute to an atmosphere of teamwork is essential. Must be flexible and a self-starter. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality. Must type a minimum of 40 net words per minute. Computer proficiency required in Microsoft Office. Two years of college or office management experience required. Experience with event planning required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.

This position is domiciled in Baton Rouge, LA. However, event locations vary across the state and the Coordinator’s participation at these events is mandatory.

For consideration, please email cover letter and resume to bethany@georgerodriguefoundation.org.