The Field provides strategic and creative services to thousands of performing and media artists and companies in New York City and beyond. Founded by artists for artists, we also respond proactively to sector-wide challenges through special programs such as Field Leadership Fund: a fellowship that offers real opportunities, remuneration and access to ambitious artists, arts organizations and arts managers.
Jennifer Coleman (she/her/hers) is a Senior Marketing Director for Edge Beauty, as well as a trained Facilitator in Nonviolent Collaborative Communication and Conscious Inclusion. In addition to her work with The Field, Jennifer serves on the Bard College Sustainability Alumni Board and the DKMS Benefit Committee. And she bakes!
Rebecca Hallac (she/her/hers) works in computer animated films as Lead Software Engineer at Blue Sky Studios. A "Jill" of all trades, her hobbies include glassblowing, hackathons, scuba diving, cooking, and travel.
The Field staff would like to thank Jennifer and Rebecca for joining our Board, especially at such a pivotal moment for artists in New York City and beyond. We look forward to receiving their fresh perspectives, their valuable counsel, and (hopefully) some delicious treats!
Our Members, Fiscally Sponsored Artists, and other program participants represent a wide range of career stages and disciplines. We love them - and, as fellow artists, we're always inspired by them. With this monthly feature, we hope you'll feel the same way!
Name, Pronouns: Reenah Golden, she/her/hers What do you do? I am Founder and Managing Artistic Director of an intimate urban space where we produce collaborative works and traditional plays with a special focus on the stories and interests of BIPOC, urban youth, LGBTQ+ and non-binary folk, and other marginalized voices and art forms. What inspires you? Others like me hell-bent on elevating voices from the margins, art for social justice, disrupting disrespectful narratives against POC, reclaiming our narratives, introducing young hearts to the light.
Photo Descriptions: 1. Youth improv participant for Interactive Storytime. 2. Teen actor rehearses with Equity actor Angela Polite. 3. Teen Fellows celebrate two years with The Avenue. 4. Youth Fellow beautifying sidewalks with safe space message. Photos by The Avenue community members.
What are you proud of?
Raising my child as a single mom (even while married) to become an empowered, boundary- pushing artist in their own right. Remaining self-employed in the arts through it all and not losing my house (came close). Providing a safe, bold, creative space for youth and emerging artists who have not yet found their tribe to grow, create, and just be.
What are your goals?
To use the power of art and storytelling to transform a very deserving but underserved art desert in Rochester by providing access to performing arts and other community-centered events for us, by us.
Do you have any advice for your fellow artists?
Keep allowing your passion to direct your path; sacrificing it will not get you farther ahead in the long run, and this path will ultimately lead you to magic!
How does The Field help you?
I came here for a more specialized approach to fiscal sponsorship that would not interfere with my ability to raise money locally or nationally, the Field has not disappointed. They really know what they are doing and their advice is invaluable.
Photo Descriptions: 1. Black AF Emerging Artist Showcase. 2. Black Women and Femme Artist Panel on Kujichagulia-Self Determination. 3. Community Reader Anderson Allen Improv Participation for Storytime. Photos by The Avenue community members.
Our Members, Fiscally Sponsored Artists, and other program participants represent a wide range of career stages and disciplines. We love them - and, as fellow artists, we're always inspired by them. With this monthly feature, we hope you'll feel the same way!
Name & Pronouns: Shannon Reynolds, she/her/hers
What inspires you? Humans. How can our everyday events, social interactions, and life stories be transformed into art? How can art influence our everyday events, social interactions, and alter our life stories?
What are you proud of?
eSKay Arts Collective! Six years ago, my Co-Director Kelly and I said, "One day we will have our own company,” and then chuckled at the idea, which we’d always thought would be only a dream. (Follow eSKay Arts Collective on Facebook to learn more about upcoming events and watch videos of previous performances.)
Dance studio photo by Shannon Reynolds.
What are your goals?
To engage individuals through art.
Do you have any advice for your fellow artists? This is a job which includes administrative responsibilities. Treat it as a job and set aside a specific time each week to complete the administrative tasks which will allow your company to grow.
How does The Field help you? The Field has allowed us to expand the size of our collective and reach an audience outside of New York City.
Our Members, Fiscally Sponsored Artists, and other program participants represent a wide range of career stages and disciplines. We love them - and, as fellow artists, we're always inspired by them. With this monthly feature, we hope you'll feel the same way!
Name, Pronouns: Alicia Foxworth, she/her/hers
What are you proud of? I am very grateful for the
gift of networking and community. As an artist, I overcome most hurdles
through shared resources and in-kind services or donations.
What inspires you? I love to explore different world cultures and explore where our experiences find common ground and our common humanity.
Pictured: Various productions of Ghost Writer: An Abolitionist’s Tale, written by Alicia Foxworth. Photos by Steven K. Foxworth.
What are your goals? My goals are to present my original works and to also provide a regular festival for up and coming writers to showcase their work.
Do you have any advice for your fellow artists? Be brave and do not let anyone tell you that you can't do it and most importantly, have fun!
How does The Field help you? As a member, I have access to counsel, industry information, and affordable services and materials due to my affiliation with a not-for-profit arts organization. Also, the fiscal sponsorship program allows me to accept donations from supporters of my work. It's an invaluable resource.
In April 5-7 this year we hosted the third Field Network Conference in Portland, Oregon. Held every other year (leap-frogging with the National Touring Exchange), the Conference gathers Fieldwork facilitators and participants from across the country to further develop the Fieldwork methodology, as well as to discuss other issues impacting artists in their respective communities.
While feedback forms the foundation of the Fieldwork process, the 2019 Field Network Conference schedule focused particularly on how equity (or lack thereof) shapes feedback in contemporary culture: How are artists using feedback? Is the feedback we’re getting useful or equitable? Who gets to give feedback? Whose feedback counts?
Brett Campbell of Oregon ArtsWatch recently published, "Field of Vision," an in-depth review of the Conference not just summarizing the weekend's programming, but also calling out the challenges in tackling inequity in the arts in collaboration with the very individuals who benefit from said inequities.
"These funders, even those who don’t use public funds (but do get tax breaks for donations), play a vital role in determining what we see and hear on Oregon stages," Cambell writes, "and that role demands scrutiny and constructive feedback from artists, arts lovers, and the rest of the community."
Special thanks to then-Network Manager Katherine Longstreth, and to Conference coordinator and current Network Manager Jen Mitas, and conference consultant Subashini Ganesan for organizing such an ambitious event, and for bringing both The Field Network and their local arts community together (in what feels like such an organic way) to engage in these important, pressing discussions.
Our Members, Fiscally Sponsored Artists, and other program participants represent a wide range of career stages and disciplines. We love them - and, as fellow artists, we're always inspired by them. With this monthly feature, we hope you'll feel the same way!
Name, Pronouns: Cyndy A. Marion, she/her/hers
What inspires you? Telling brave, bold, stories that reveal human truths. As a director, I write plays that I would want to direct. Plays that I feel are challenging and exciting for both actors and directors to work on. I’m usually inspired by real-life stories that have a sense of mystery or intrigue. My first play, You Are Perfect, was inspired by the story of Manson follower Susan Atkins. My newest play, Broken Story, was inspired by the brutal murder of an LA novelist. I think all plays should have an element of suspense–it moves the story forward and keeps the audience engaged. I love plays that have an “ah-ha” moment.
Photo collage of White Horse Theatre productions. Original photos by John Robert Hoffman and Ruth Albertyn Levan TK
What are you proud of? Being the Producing Artistic Director of a successful and thriving 16 year-old Off-Off Broadway company that has recently expanded our reach nationally and internationally from New York to LA to Toronto.
What are your goals? To reach as many people as possible with my new play, Broken Story. Another goal is for the White Horse Theater Company to outlive me.
Do you have any advice for your fellow artists? Work to live. It does not matter how you make a living, as long as you have the time and money to make your art. Don’t be afraid to ask for money. I think artists today have to be entrepreneurs–meaning we have to find a means to an end–a way to support ourselves and the work.
How does The Field help you? Allows us to solicit and receive tax deductible donations.
Our Members, Fiscally Sponsored Artists, and other program participants represent a wide range of career stages and disciplines. We love them - and, as fellow artists, we're always inspired by them. With this monthly feature, we hope you'll feel the same way!
Name, Pronouns: Maud Hixson, she/her/hers
What inspires you? Great songs, ranging from the classic Great American Songbook to the often unsung or forgotten compositions awaiting rediscovery.
What are you proud of? Being a full-time artist!
What are your goals? To be an ambassador for the wild country of lesser-known songs.
Maud Hixson with Rex Reed and performers at Jazz at Lincoln Center in a tribute to Sylvia Syms. Photo by Ann Hampton Callaway. (Original photo, above, by Olivia Wilcox.)
Do you have any advice for your fellow artists? Yes, I feel it's important to listen to your instincts, regardless of your experience. Your senses and your own taste will be unique guides. Starting out, I tended to discount these valuable tools, which I now realize was a mistake.
How does The Field help you? By leveling the fundraising playing field. I have never been in a position to offer my supporters tax-deductible status for their donations before. Working with The Field puts me on the same page with every nonprofit seeking donations.
