Menlo Park, CA

Fellow, Performing Arts, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

The Organization

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world. For more than 50 years, the foundation has supported efforts to advance education for all, preserve the environment, improve lives and livelihoods in developing countries, promote the health and economic well-being of women, support vibrant performing arts, and make the philanthropy sector more effective. The foundation’s assets are more than $9 billion, with annual awards of grants and gifts totaling over $400 million. A 14-member board of directors provides overall direction for the foundation. For more information about the Hewlett Foundation, please visit www.hewlett.org.

Position Overview

About the Performing Arts Program

The Performing Arts Program makes grants to ensure people and communities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area are able to engage in artistic experiences that bring joy and meaning to their lives. Our grantmaking embraces a wide range of aesthetic and artistic practices in the areas of dance, media, music, theater, spoken word, and cultural arts. The Program supports a portfolio of roughly 240 organizations with an annual grantmaking budget of approximately $19 million. In addition, it manages the Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions, a five-year initiative in honor the Hewlett Foundation’s 50th anniversary, that supports the creation and premiere of exceptional works of performance.

The Program is comprised of six staff, complemented by staff from the foundation’s communications, grants management, and legal departments. Additional information about the Program is available at https://hewlett.org/programs/performing-arts/.

About the Fellowship

 

This fellowship is a three-year term position. A Hewlett Foundation Fellowship allows an individual to enrich their understanding of philanthropy and of specific subject matter by engaging in all phases of program development and grantmaking. Fellows work closely with program staff to help implement projects and conduct ongoing grantmaking activities.

Within the Performing Arts Program, the Fellow will help implement the recently refreshed strategy. This will entail both assisting with and managing projects to update the Program’s strategies in light of the host of changes facing the region and the arts sector. In close consultation with program staff, the Fellow will conduct research; communicate and engage with foundation staff, grantees, and external partners; and participate in critical thinking, writing, and analysis. The Fellow also will support the Performing Arts Program’s grantmaking activities and other Program needs that may arise, such as Program retreats and grantee convenings, including content creation. The Fellow will report directly to one of three Performing Arts Program Officers.

Please note: while there may be opportunities to return to the Hewlett Foundation later in their career, Fellows are ineligible to apply for posted foundation positions or transition into other roles at the foundation during their 36-month term as well as for a period of one year following the conclusion of the term.

Qualifications

 

·       Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated competency to effectively work with diverse stakeholders, including rural communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQI communities, low-income people, and communities of color.

·       Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to synthesize and communicate ideas and critical analysis.

·       Excellent time management, project management, and organizational skills. Adept at thoughtfully approaching assigned projects.

·       Intention to pursue further studies, training, or professional experience in fields related to the Program’s interests at the conclusion of the fellowship.

·       Ability to participate as part of a team and contribute to a collegial work environment; open to sharing ideas and receiving feedback.

·       Knowledge of the arts and culture in the San Francisco Bay Area is preferred.

·       Personal integrity, excellent judgment, and flexibility.

·       Adept with technology tools and applications, including MS Office.

·       Demonstrated interest and two to five years of work experience in the arts.

·       An undergraduate degree is required; a relevant master’s degree or equivalent professional experience is a plus.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this position, the Fellow is required to spend extended hours at the computer. The primary location of this position is the Hewlett Foundation’s offices in Menlo Park, CA. This position also requires moderate levels of travel in the San Francisco Bay Area, and occasional to locations in the United States.

 

How To Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter by Monday, Dec 2, explaining how your skills fit this position to the Human Resources Department at employment@hewlett.org (Subject Line: [Your Name] – Fellow, Performing Arts).

Please email a resume and cover letter by Monday, Dec 2, explaining how your skills fit this position to the Human Resources Department at employment@hewlett.org (Subject Line: [Your Name] – Fellow, Performing Arts).

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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