PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Psacoya Guinn, Interim Director of Education and Community Engagement at New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW)
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Psacoya Guinn, Interim Director of Education and Community Engagement at New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW), testified about NYTW's education programs and fellowships that prioritize equity and opportunity in the arts. She emphasized the importance of the 2050 administrative and artistic fellowships in fostering emerging leaders and visionary artists in the theater industry.
- The 2050 administrative fellowship serves as a launchpad for emerging leaders in arts administration, with alumni going on to leadership positions at various institutions.
- The artistic fellowship nurtures playwrights, directors, and other theater makers, providing resources like stipends, mentorship, and development opportunities.
- Guinn stressed that these programs are investments in the future of the arts and should be prioritized within the NYC cultural sector.
Psacoya Guinn
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Good afternoon.
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Thank you for this opportunity to speak.
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My name is Sequoia Gwen, and I am the interim director of education and community engagement at New York Theatre Workshop, a leading off Broadway theater located in the East Village.
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At New York Theatre Workshop, one of the ways we prioritize equity and opportunity is through our education programs, such as Mind the Gap, our intergenerational playwriting program, youth artistic instigators, our in house youth ensemble.
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And today, I'm here to talk about our 2050 administrative and artistic fellowships.
Lindsey Maliekel
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For years, I have had
Psacoya Guinn
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the privilege of overseeing the 2050 administrative fellowship and witnessing its transformative impact firsthand.
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This program is more than just an introduction to arts administration.
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It's a launchpad for emerging leaders who bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our field.
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Our fellows go on to be leaders at leading institutions such as Ars Nova, the Drama League, Pasadena Playhouse, and even New York Theatre Workshop.
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In addition, our artistic fellowship has had a profound impact on the creative ecosystem.
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This program nurtures visionary playwrights, directors, and other theater makers, providing them with vital resources such as personal and project stipends, mentorship, and opportunities to develop their craft.
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By investing in these artists, we not only foster bold new works but also ensure that the stories of our stages are reflecting diversity and complexity of our world.
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Each year, I see fellows enter the program with immense potential and leave equipped with the skills, confidence, and network to deliver real change, not just in the arts, but in their broader communities.
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So programs like the 2050 administrative and artistic fellowships must be prioritized within our n NYC cultural sector because they aren't just investments in individuals.
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They're investments in the future of the arts.
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Thank you so much.