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African-American Fellowship

The African-American Fellowship is a two-year professional development program (begins in September, ends in August of the following year) for early career, African-American arts administrators interested in working in Development/Fundraising, Marketing and/or Theatre Management. Through hands-on experience, independent and collective learning projects, mentorship and career-guidance, Fellows are given the tools to become strong, new voices in the leadership of the arts. Click here to learn about the departments in which fellows serve. Application for the 2010 Fellowship is now closed.

Biographies of Current Fellows

Simone Martin-Newberry is the second year African American Fellow and currently serves in the Marketing Department as the Design and Content Associate. She has studied graphic design for almost ten years and has designed materials for a variety of educational institutions, arts groups, theatre companies, and other local businesses. While working toward her bachelor's degree in Art History at the University of Chicago, she held leadership positions in many arts organization including University Theatre, the Smart Museum Activities Committee, and the annual Festival of the Arts. After graduating in 2007, she worked with the Chicago History Museum, as well as WTTW Channel 11 and Hanau-Strain Associates. She was a recipient of the 2006 Jeff Metcalf Fellowship and a member of the 2009 TCG Young Leaders of Color program.

Nora Taylor is the first year African-American Fellow in the Development Department, a native Chicagoan, and an alumnus of Steppenwolf’s now defunct Cross-Town youth ensemble. She is a recent graduate of Lawrence University where she studied Theatre, English and History. During her tenure as a college student she was a columnist for the school newspaper, radio show host, tour guide and the student commencement speaker for the class of 2009. Nora studied abroad at the Gaiety Acting School in Dublin and when she came home designed an independent study comparing the civil rights movements of the American south and Northern Ireland. She has previously interned at The Goodman Theatre and The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.

Compensation

During their tenure, Fellows receive:

  • Pay and Benefits: During Year One, this position pays minimum wage and is eligible for Steppenwolf's part-time limited benefit medical, dental and disability plan, as well as vision insurance. Fellows are salaried with full benefits during Year Two. Housing and transportation assistance is available both years.
  • Perks: Professional Development and networking opportunities, discount and free tickets to area theatres, exceptional mentor relationships at Steppenwolf and beyond, and a whole lot more!

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be able to commit to a two-year program
  • Identify as African-American
  • Have earned a baccalaureate, or have equivalent professional experience
  • Reside in, or be able to relocate to, Chicago
  • Have a strong desire to work in Development/Fundraising, Marketing and/or Theatre Management and express this interest in the application. Most often, Fellows serve in one of these departments in the first year and switch to another of these departments in Year Two. Applicants should please indicate an order of preference on the application.
  • Carefully read through the instructions and submit a thoughtfully completed application

Dates for Application and Fellowship Cycle

Please read this information carefully:

  • The 2010 fellowship will run from August 30, 2010 - August 31, 2012 (subject to change). In special circumstances, these dates can be slightly flexible depending on the needs of the candidate and hiring department.
  • All applicants should submit their completed application by February 15, 2010. No exceptions will be made for late applications.
  • All applications will go through a preliminary screening process to determine the final candidates. Final candidates will be asked to interview in March. It is strongly encouraged that candidates who do not live locally visit both Chicago and Steppenwolf when interviewing. Phone interviews are available.
  • For further questions, please e-mail leadership@steppenwolf.org

We look forward to hearing from you!