Now Hiring! Associate Folklorist Program: Spokane

The Center for Washington Cultural Traditions (CWCT) is excited to announce that applications for its Associate Folklorist Program are now being accepted. This dynamic new initiative is designed to increase the capacity for traditional arts and heritage programming in Washington by establishing a network of Center-affiliated folklorists around the state. CWCT Associate Folklorists will collaborate with regional communities to execute center initiatives and develop new programming that reflects their specific needs and interests. The CWCT is currently hiring for an Associate Folklorist position based in the Spokane, Washington [serving Northeast Washington].

The CWCT is an arts and heritage program set up to survey, study, and support cultural traditions, tradition bearers, and traditional communities throughout Washington State. This innovative program is a statewide, go-to source for learning about Washington’s rich, diverse cultural heritage. The Center is housed at the state’s nonprofit humanities council, Humanities Washington, and presented in partnership with ArtsWA/the Washington State Arts Commission. Established in 2017, the Center is growing rapidly in response to keen from communities across the state.   

The Associate Folklorist Program provides recipients with a six-month position that carries a maximum stipend of $6000, paid in monthly installments. The recipient is required to reside in the state of Washington for the duration of the fellowship. Qualified applicants should have technical competence using digital equipment (camera, audio recorder, and computer/laptop) and their own transportation.  

This position should appeal to persons with graduate degrees in Folklore, Ethnomusicology, Anthropology, Cultural Sustainability, Public History and related fields. It should also appeal to those with experience in cultural documentation, ethnographic writing, oral history collection and public programming. This position can be geared toward’s applicant’s particular skillset or interests. The Associate Folklorist Program is a great way to contribute to the preservation of Washington State’s rich cultural heritage, produce innovative and engaging programs, and gain marketable experience in public folklife and humanities work.   

Duties and Responsibilities

• Fieldwork in Northeast Washington State.
• Generate database of traditions and artists in the region. 
• Produce digital content for CWCT website and social media sites. 
• Document current Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Teams in the region. 
• Generate applications to the Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program  
• Co-produce one regional event.   

The Center for Washington Cultural Traditions Will Supply

• Digital folklife fieldwork forms (field notes, audio log, photo log, release forms) 
• disks, memory cards and batteries 
• Travel funds for travel within region at state rate of .58/mile  

Preferred qualifications and skills: 

• Master’s Degree in Folklore, Ethnomusicology, Anthropology, or a related field. 
• Professional experience in public folklore work (cultural documentation and surveys, traditional arts programming, or ethnographic writing) 
• Technical competence using digital documentation equipment (camera, audio recorder, and computer/laptop) 
• Strong written and oral communication skills 
• Reliable transportation
• Reside in or nearby Spokane, Washington.

Required application materials: 

• Cover letter 
• Resume/C.V. 
• Representative work samples: 1 recorded interview, 3-5 photos and/or videos with metadata, and a 2-page writing sample. 
• Contact information for one professional reference.  

To Apply: 

Submit required application materials to CWCT Director Langston Collin Wilkins (langston@humanities.org) by Wednesday June 11, 2020. Please include “Associate Fieldworker Application [Spokane]” in the subject line. Representative work samples should be shared via cloud-based applications (Dropbox, Google Drive etc). To view this job posting, visit the Center for Washington Cultural Traditions website.  

Humanities Washington is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.