Film Education Consultant

Maysles Documentary Center is seeking a Film Education Consultant to assist in the design and development of MDC’s entire education program, in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board’s AMDI and Education Committees. 

Deadline to apply: Until position is filled

About Maysles Documentary Center (MDC): 

The Maysles Documentary Center (MDC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the exhibition and production of documentary films that inspire dialogue and action. Through our cinema and education programs, we engage diverse communities in creative self-expression, communicating ideas, and advocating needs. 

MDC was founded by legendary filmmaker Albert Maysles (1926–2015), in 2005. 

Documentary film remains the cornerstone of our organization, helping us to promote understanding of diverse cultures to cultivate empathy, understanding, and connection.

Our deep community roots reinforce our commitment to Harlem as a historically Black neighborhood—one of immense artistic/political legacy, and one that remains largely under-resourced in contrast to more affluent NYC neighborhoods. Our students & audiences are largely Black/African American and live in Harlem or South Bronx. We build community with local arts, educational, and cultural organizations in a collective effort to share resources. During the course of the pandemic, as we have expanded on on-line offerings -- screenings, panel discussions and workshops -- we have also expanded our audience nationally and internationally.  We are looking to continue and build on that expansion as we move forward.

A new initiative, the Albert Maysles Documentary Initiative (AMDI), is an organization-wide program that extends Albert Maysles’ vision of a democratic film experience.  It will offer a holistic program that addresses the need for greater institutional and community-based arts education for young people and supports under-served early career filmmakers with job opportunities, workshops, mentorship and fiscal sponsorship of their documentaries.  

About the Existing Education Programs: 

We currently offer two free/stipended documentary education programs - Teen Producers Academy (TPA) for at-risk high school students from Harlem and the South Bronx, and Community Producers Program (CPP) for court-appointed youth.  Filmmaking is not treated as an end in itself, but as a vehicle through which young people learn to address their own narratives and engage critically with issues impacting their communities. Our Media Educators—all Black working artists—foster a filmmaking practice that combines filmmaking techniques, community accountability, and restorative practices. In both of these programs, documentary filmmaking serves as the platform through which students harness their own voices and engage with the outside world.

Educators also refer young people to additional resources as needs arise (housing, education, employment, physical/mental health, etc.). This approach lends itself to community-based explorations of social justice, and is distinct from typical filmmaking pedagogies that focus solely on technical skills and career development.

In the past we have also offered the Filmmakers Collaborative, a program for adults interested in telling their stories through documentary film.

Responsibilities include:

  • Help staff and board analyze the strengths and weaknesses of current programs.

  • Provide guidance on all aspects of MDC’s education initiative: the expansion/redesign of our existing youth programs, new in-person and/or on-line/streaming initiatives, early career film education workshops, education programs/workshops for adults, etc . 

  • Identify experts to provide a broader context for this review and re-think.

  • Identify strategic programmatic partnerships and outreach with organizations, educators and filmmakers to participate in and collaborate with education programs.

  • Identify potential funding sources, both earned and contributed.

  • Consider opportunities to bring current and redesigned programs to outside institutions, such as New York City public or private schools and museums - especially summer/school break programs.

  • Review curricula and its potential for digital dissemination/marketing.

Qualifications:

  • Experience designing and/or running art and film-based curriculum.

  • Strong connections in New York City’s arts and education community.

  • Knowledge of the film community and filmmakers.

  • Experience with community activism; knowledge of/interest in transformational justice and anti-incarceration work and movements a plus.

  • 4-6 years of professional work in education and/or filmmaking.

Salary: This is a six-month consultant project of up to 20 hours per week; pay is negotiable, based on experience. This is a consultant position with a possibility for growth at the organization.  

Location: This role will be a combination of remote and in-person work.  All in-person work will be in accordance with New York State and City COVID guidelines.

To Apply: Please email cover letter and resume to Emily Apter emilyapter@maysles.org and Aliyah Blackmore  aliyah@maysles.org. Please Include “Film Education Consultant” and your “First and Last name” in the Subject Line.