Each week following an artist's post, reflection questions and research ideas will get posted. These are aimed towards college level courses (senior seminar, composition, dance education, and more), but of course anyone can read the postscript and find thought-provoking questions and activities.

Photo courtesy of Paufve Dance; photo by Pak Han
 

Two-three ideas: As a class, discuss two or three ideas from Jill's post that stuck out to you and why.

"Arts administration": As you are pursuing a career in the arts, what kinds of jobs fall under the category of "arts administration?" Discuss as a class. Research a few local dance companies, nonprofit dance centers, and arts councils and their staff lists. If you are in an area without local arts organizations, research on the web for information on sites such as the Lincoln Center Institute, National Dance Institute, American Dance Festival, Jacob's Pillow, Mark Morris Dance Center, Mark Morris Dance Group, Doug Varone and Dancers, AXIS Dance Company, and Joe Goode Performance Group. Who are the key people running the organization? Discuss the differences between artistic director, executive director, managing director, etc.

On teaching: Jill wrote a bit about the role of teaching in her life. Do you envision yourself as a teaching artist? Why teach dance, and where? Do you have opportunities in your college program to take a pedagogy course or participate in an internship? If not, how will you learn to teach? Can you create your own plan to gain basic skills?

Blogging: Jill created and maintains two different blogs. In this internet age, why would a dancer have a blog? What purpose can it serve? Look into free or low cost blog design sites such as Blogger and Typepad. If you started a blog this week, what would it be about? Who would you like to read it? You can also consider creating a blog simply as an online journal for yourself to document your teaching or choreographic process.

SF Bay Area dance scene: Are you interested in the San Francisco Bay Area dance community? Spend some time researching. Search through the Dancers' Group website and other sites such as Teaching Artists Organized, Luna Dance Institute, Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, ODC Dance, Performing Arts Workshop, and the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Reflect at the end of the week: Last, consider some of the questions Jill posed for us such as

• When did I dance this week?
• How am I a part of the community?
• What am I proud of?
• How am I still learning and growing?
• What did I share?
• At the end of the week, am I feeling good about my choices about how I am spending my days?