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Arts, Digital Media & Design Fellowship
Friends of Historic Downtown Louisville, the parent organization of The Fire House Gallery, offers two residential fellowships to recent college graduates. Together these two hard-working professionals invest a year of their lives in one of the most fun, rewarding jobs imaginable – making a tremendous difference in the life of the community while challenging themselves personally and professionally. ORGANIZATION
The non-profit Friends of Historic Downtown Louisville (Friends) was founded in 2004 to bring arts-based revitalization to the small rural community of Jefferson County, Georgia. Friends operates three tightly integrated programs:
Under Friends, these three programs enjoy the pro-bono professional management of two executive directors. Its programs are staffed through annual residential fellowships that engage talented, community-minded college graduates who each bring particular strengths to their individual and shared responsibilities. |
We invite you to get a taste of Friends’ Fellowships in the Join the Fellows! video from Fire Team Productions on Vimeo. 
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FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTION
Friends’ Arts, Digital Media & Design Fellows work collaboratively in a team environment. Each has experience working with children and a demonstrated commitment to making a difference in the community. Each specializes in an area that enhances Friends’ delivery of its core programs. To date the basic breakdown of responsibilities has worked as set forth below; though Friends remains open to reassessing the division of responsibilities based on the interests and talents of the selected Fellows. Documentary-focused One Fellow serves as managing producer of FTP, directing and producing short films for video series such as Jefferson County Goods (five to ten minute documentaries capturing the rich spirit of our community) and Artist Profiles (lively short interviews with future FHG exhibitors on location in their studios). AND/OR Graphic Design-focused The other Fellow focuses on graphic design, handling community outreach to Jefferson County businesses and civic groups. AND Exhibition Coordinator and Curator The Arts, Digital Media & Design Fellows together run the FHG, coordinating exhibition planning and installations with participating artists. The FHG exhibits comtemporary artists representing a large range of media. The Gallery boasts a clean and effective modern hanging system and a sophisticated lighting system. Comprised of three interconnected exhibition areas as well as a kitchen and water closet, the Gallery maintains original fire station concrete floors, tall windows and bay doors, and two walls of exposed brick. Educational Outreach Programs Together, the Fellows develop and execute Friends' educational outreach programs, including:
Communication Together, the Fellows share the following communication responsibilities:
Managerial, Operational, and Financial Responsibilities Together, the Fellows share the following business responsibilities:
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POSITION ELIGIBILITY
Friends looks for college graduates committed to leadership, community service, and the arts, who possess a special combination of personal and professional attributes, including strong communication skills, mature judgment, sensitivity (particularly in the small town setting), and demonstrated creativity, initiative, and work ethic. Friends considers candidates in all major fields of study. While all candidates should demonstrate an aptitude for basic business management (including proficiency in use of Microsoft Word and Excel) and experience with programs involving children, each Arts, Digital Media & Design Fellow should also have demonstrated competence in video production (including proficiency in use of applications such as Adobe Premier Pro and/or Final Cut Pro) AND/OR graphic design (using tools such as Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, ideally with a digital or studio arts emphasis). Successful paid or volunteer work experience in community development, the arts and arts education, youth programs and/or business management is desirable. |
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FELLOWSHIP STIPEND AND LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS
Friends’ Fellowships are volunteer community service and career development opportunities. In addition to a $500 monthly stipend for living expenses, Friends’ Fellows are provided with rent- and utilities-free use of one of two newly restored, fully modernized apartments above the 19th century fire station that houses the FHG. These spacious one-bedroom apartments occupy former city offices on the second floor of the building and feature vaulted ceilings, exposed brick walls, and stylish furnishings, including fully equipped kitchens, walk-in closets, and washer/dryer units. Other perks include use of the Gallery’s fire engine-red Stella motor scooter, membership in the gym at the Jefferson Hospital Wellness Center, and a team environment that includes frequent, exceptional gourmet working dinners. In addition, Friends offers two weeks of summer leave, a week off at Thanksgiving, and two weeks’ vacation over the Christmas/New Year’s holiday period.
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ABOUT LOUISVILLE AND JEFFERSON COUNTY
Louisville is situated in east central Georgia, by car approximately 45 minutes south of Augusta, two hours northwest of Savannah, and two and a half hours east of Atlanta. Louisville’s population is 65 percent African American and 35 percent white, with a small but growing Hispanic community. The first designated “Permanent Capital” of the state of Georgia, Louisville served as Georgia’s capital from 1795 through 1806. Located near the Ogeechee River in the vicinity of a prehistoric Native American trading center, Louisville has a long history and tradition as a rural cultural center. In recent decades, the agricultural and industrial forces that formerly drove the Louisville economy have faltered, and as a result no significant growth for the city is projected over the next decade. Nevertheless, the Louisville economy remains relatively stable. Located in an important cotton producing area, Louisville is also home to a leading regional bank and an award-winning community hospital. Among Louisville’s most charming features is its historic downtown, which boasts the Gallery, a movie theater, a thriving independent bookstore, a growing variety of restaurants, gift and antiques shops, a farmers market, a day spa, and a locally-owned pharmacy. Downtown is surrounded by a lovely historic residential neighborhood. In all, Louisville has the look and charm of a nearly picture-perfect Southern town. Louisville has produced many notable jurists, educators, and business people. It was the birthplace of Willis F. Denny, one of Georgia’s most famous architects. Louisville buildings designed by Mr. Denny include the stately 1904 Jefferson County Courthouse, several commercial buildings, a church education building, and several residences. Eli Whitney resided in Louisville when he completed his work on the design of the cotton gin and mailed the patent application for the design from the Louisville post office. |
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