Welcome to the mid-career transitions webpage dedicated to Entertainment and Performing Arts Professionals. As a member of this group, you bring a unique skill set to your transition, including discipline, dedication, and a desire to hone your expertise. At the same time, you may encounter some prejudices revolving around your past work experiences, such as the misconception that actors, dancers, and other artists are not “real” professionals or that you are biding your time and will split once you get your “big break.”
Here are a few examples of organizations working to assist transitioning entertainment and performing arts professionals:
The Actors Fund recognizes the need to assist their community in identifying and obtaining non-industry work that is rewarding and complementary to an individual’s entertainment industry career. The Fund offers a comprehensive workforce development program, The Actor’s Work Program, including information on volunteering and interning.
The Actor’s Work Program page also details the organization’s career counseling services, resume writing workshops, and volunteering program (one of the best ways to transition into the nonprofit sector). Skill building resources are not present on the site, but rather through its workshops. And though its offices are located in Los Angeles and New York, the Actor’s Fund does offer assistance outside of classes via email and phone, assuming you meet its eligibility requirements.
Career Transitions for Dancers empowers current and former professional dancers, as well as their aspiring counterparts, with the knowledge and skills necessary to clearly define their career possibilities after dance, and provides the resources to help make these possibilities a reality.
Although the CTFD does not currently offer a focus on nonprofit careers, they do provide career counseling, educational scholarships, and workshops for current and post-professional dancers, as well as dance students. They do this work primarily in New York and Los Angeles, but if you’re not in the area they can provide assistance over the phone; their website also presents an overview of the career development process and some tips on planning early for the transition.
Email us if you would like to suggest additional organizations and resources for this page.
