Arts Non-Profit Directing at The Clemente Center with Haley Ferber
Links / Contacts:
Sympoietic by Sabrina Merayo Nuñes
@hayleyferber - Instagram
Tell us a bit more about The Clemente Center in the LES of NYC.
The Clemente Center is a nonprofit in the Lower East Side, NYC located in old elementary school
Over 100 years old building owned by the city, a 30 year old institution
Mission is to support Mexican and Puerto Rican communities in NYC, but greater community as well
Clemente Valez is poet from LES, walks around neighborhoods speaking poetry and recycling
Room were in: Sympoietic by Sabrina Merayo Nuñes curated by Tarah Rhoda
Biosynthetic material,
Nest lights that hang from ceiling with microcosms in them
“Mission of clemente center to support artists and art by providing space to show artwork”
How long have you been in your role here and what exactly does your job entail?
Associate director of operators “a little bit of everything, nonsexy work”
Been in role for 1 year
Current project: adding elevator to back of building to make it ADA accessible
Can you tell us more about what it’s like to run non profit organizations and what perspective have you gained from being a part of multiple institutions?
Nonprofits: structured in certain way, similar formula
Development, fundraising, grant management, facility management, programs
Make sure space is functioning: maintenance team
“Knowing what your mission is, being able to share it with people, have your elevator pitch ready, to get funding and expand the community… having a strong mission”
Is there something that surprised you the first time you worked at a non profit?
Actual role of executive director, goes to fundraising/cultivating donors
Budgets: you have to come up with your next year before it happens, “mystery budget” - working off of money you don't have yet
What lights you up everyday? What do you get excited about when coming into work?
“I love getting to be in a space surrounded by art”
“Being surrounded by art on a day to day basis and the people I meet. Everyday I meet someone new”
Two gallery spaces, curated a show in one of the spaces this summer
Loves this space were in now
Are you here everyday?
Here Monday - Thursday, remote Fridays
Onsite to make sure things are running smoothly
How does the center select and curate artists to exhibit? How far in advance does your team plan the exhibitions? How does this experience differ from org to org?
Selection process: annual open call
Accepts submissions from curators for a show with 3 or more artists
Takes place in the fall but currently on hold bc of elevator project
Show must align with mission and what they support
Bring in juried panel who select show for the 2 spaces
17-18 shows a year, booked one year in advance
The room we are in: artist has worked w the center, invited to continue in this space
Small budget for installation/art handling
Some organizations provide stipends, some provide the space, some charge
“As an artist it's really important to research the organization you are applying to”
ChaShaMa - how they work:
Being flexible helps you get selected, because of the temporary nature of space
Team reaches out 6 weeks in advance and artist says yes or no
Artist curates and installs show - but is provided the space
What about your personal curatorial projects? What is your process and how do you connect and collaborate with artists for these shows? How do you find these curatorial opportunities for yourself?
Curator for 6-7 years
How do you get spaces for these opportunities?
Work for someone who has space you can use (has curated here and ChaShaMa)
Reach out to organization whose work she likes
1st show was at a nursery - she saw the space and reached out and curated a two day show, this gave her confidence - ask and you shall receive!
Friends who are curators, co curating shows
Equity gallery: members gallery, open calls, workshops, members opportunities
“Network, reaching out, putting yourself out there…personal connections”
How do you find artists?
Through network, work, community, friends,
Instagram, reach out to them, set up studio visit
Artists also reach out to her on instagram
Keeps track of who she meets, show she curated for clemente was 9 artist she had met over the last 2 years - waiting for the right moment to use their work
From studio visits hosted from places she's worked
How often do you get reached out to by artists?
A few times a month, not super often but regularly
Self identified as emerging curator
What would you like to bring to life over the next year or so? Do you have any upcoming goals or projects that you’d like to achieve?
Partnering with organizations: enjoy consulting things, working with different organizations, partnerships,
Never define yourself by your day job
Love to have side hustles happening
Taking time for herself
This year, trying to slow down a bit
Just rented first artist studio in Greenpoint, trying to spend as much time in the studio playing, experimenting with materials
Always had art practice but never at the forefront, but in the last 2 years have started making it more of a priority
Really important for artist to understand what curators go through and really important for curators to understand what artists go through
Artistic practice in bookmaking, printmaking, paper marbling,
As an independent curator, educator and artist coupled with your role as the Associate Director of Operations - how do you do it?! As someone who can relate to having many projects, I’m curious how you manage your time and energy. What do you think is getting most of your attention right now?
Balancing is hard
“I’m intense and i do a lot and sometimes i burn out”
Love doing a lot, she finds it energizing
Tries to give herself downtime, but “life is so short and crazy and intense so when these opportunities arise I just take them”
“I pride myself on committing myself to the things i commit to..I see it through”
Open Floor Questions
How does one reach out and send work?
Instagram: @HayleyFerber
How do you start researching for artists to get connected with galleries?
Finding those organizations that you really connect to/galleries showing the type of work you create
Finding like minded communities
Joining communities like Visionary Projects
Sharing what you’re seeing on platforms like instagram
Go to openings, introduce yourself to curators
Artists can rent spaces, what is the process for that? Studio space availability?
Gallery spaces aren’t available for rent here, but recommend ChaShaMa
Shouldn't be too affected by construction
80% of people here have been here for 20-30 years
Should have more of a rotating residency situation happening soon
Kunstrum has studios for artists in brooklyn
Getting involved in Clemente Center?
Reach out!
Artists putting on their own shows? Pros and Cons
Often very helpful to put on a group show so you have a larger audience
If it's just you its just your network, more people more networks = more connections
What do you look for in terms of readiness in artists?
Connection to artwork intuitively/right away
Finding the right opportunity for artists more than finding the right artists
Be responsive!!! Be respectful, communicate, be reliable
Worst thing is having to chase someone down to get things moving
