Melissa Croushorn
Melissa Croushorn
I believe that artists must be the emcee of their experience at every stage.
The career you want comes from calling the shots yourself - refusing to work for "exposure", choosing training or projects that will give you a return on your investment, and creating a body of work that is authentic to your values.
I believe that artists must be the emcee of their experience at every stage.
The career you want comes from calling the shots yourself - refusing to work for "exposure", choosing training or projects that will give you a return on your investment, and creating a body of work that is authentic to your values.
I came to this realization after a pay negotiation that left me crying on the street in New York city. That exchange brought my inner conflict to the surface; I loved working in dance and I also wanted to thrive financially but I was told time after time that would be impossible.
I came to this realization after a pay negotiation that left me crying on the street in New York city. That exchange brought my inner conflict to the surface; I loved working in dance and I also wanted to thrive financially but I was told time after time that would be impossible.
I'm a person of faith and believe that people matter, how we treat people matters, and we were created for a purpose.
So, I started calling out the whole, "You do this work because you love it, not because you want to make a living" thing. Dancers are some of the smartest, most creative, inspiring people on the planet. So, why are we living hand-to-mouth? It's time to re-write the narrative on the value/role of artists in the socio-economic realm.
I'm a person of faith and believe that people matter, how we treat people matters, and we were created for a purpose.
So, I started calling out the whole, "You do this work because you love it, not because you want to make a living" thing. Dancers are some of the smartest, most creative, inspiring people on the planet. So, why are we living hand-to-mouth? It's time to re-write the narrative on the value/role of artists in the socio-economic realm.
Disclaimer: You should know I've upset a lot of people by refusing to work for free; requesting compensation representative of my education, experience, and skills; and speaking up about sexual harassment, workplace bullying, etc. My platform seeks to build a network of artists ready to enjoy the fruits of their labor rather than being run over by the industry.
Disclaimer: You should know I've upset a lot of people by refusing to work for free; requesting compensation representative of my education, experience, and skills; and speaking up about sexual harassment, workplace bullying, etc. My platform seeks to build a network of artists ready to enjoy the fruits of their labor rather than being run over by the industry.
I have over a decade of performing arts education and arts management experience with a focus on student engagement, career development, and community building.
I have over a decade of performing arts education and arts management experience with a focus on student engagement, career development, and community building.
I'm a movement educator and organizational synergist.
I'm a movement educator and organizational synergist.
I teach dancers and their parents how dance training and careers work.
I teach dancers and their parents how dance training and careers work.
I teach movement practitioners how to build dynamic spaces for growth.
I teach movement practitioners how to build dynamic spaces for growth.
