Fellowship - April Institute

For more information please visit: Idealist or April Institute 

Fellowship

The April Institute for Antifascist Research and Education 

Posting: February 2023

Our Mission 

The April Institute is a nonprofit organization for interdisciplinary research and public education about fascism and antifascism in the United States. We celebrate the history of creative and courageous efforts to counter fascist threats in the United States and to build more resilient, safe, and democratic communities. Our exhibitions, teaching resources, publications, and public memorialization projects are opportunities to learn from this history and enhance our ability to identify and confront fascist threats in our own time. 

Our Work 

The work of the April Institute innovatively integrates four research and public education projects: 

1. The curation of permanent, multimedia digital exhibitions to engage diverse publics; 
2. The creation of opportunities for new research and publications that reflect and inform our digital exhibitions; 
3. The development of practical resources for middle school, high school, and college students and teachers; 
4. The public memorialization of antifascist figures, movements, and events. 

Your Role 

The April Institute is a growing organization and the fellow we intend to hire will be able to play a role in shaping our work. We are seeking a candidate with excellent communication and project management skills, the ability to collaborate with a wide range of partners, and a commitment to antifascism and social justice. Your primary responsibilities will be to organize our upcoming book club and to assist with publicity to promote our work. Depending on your interest and experience, your role may also involve organizing virtual and in-person events, assisting with fundraising, and conducting research on topics relevant to the work of the April Institute. We welcome ideas from candidates for additional projects they might contribute to at the Institute.

Book Club

• Assist in identifying books intended for a general audience
• Plan live (virtual) author events for each reading
• Facilitate online discussion forums for members
• Assist in the development of reader guides with links to related resources 
• Create and manage work plan and budget for book club, ensure all deliverables are met, as well as report and evaluate outcomes 
• Possible additional task: Help organize in-person reading groups throughout the country by identifying suitable locations and providing guidance on how to organize reading groups that foster participation and mutual respect 

Publicity & Communication

• Draft written materials, including event descriptions, content for website, newsletters, and reports
• Develop and implement social media strategy to promote the book club specifically and the work of the April Institute more broadly
• Design materials, such as posters for the book club and events
• Identify and connect with possible partners, with a particular emphasis on high school and college students
• Possible additional task: Develop media relations and draft press advisories

Other

• Participate in bi-weekly virtual meetings of the Board of Director and take notes
• Assist with logistics of virtual and in-person events (e.g., event space, catering, technology, video-recording and live-streaming)
• Possible additional task: Assist with digital file management
• Possible additional task: Conduct research on specific aspects of fascism and antifascism in the United States
• Possible additional task: Help with fundraising efforts by, for instance, researching potential funders and drafting grant applications

Preferred Skills & Experience 

We welcome applications from candidates that have a strong interest in the April Institute’s work but do not yet have all the skills and experience listed here.

1. Strategic communications: Experience drafting high-quality written materials, developing creative content, and coordinating media relations. Ability to communicate complex information to a variety of audiences
2. Project management: Ability to manage large projects with multiple external partners by creating and executing work plans, taking initiative, meeting deadlines, tracking results and evaluating outcomes
3. Event organizing: Experience organizing logistics for virtual and in-person events.
4. Research: Ability to conduct research independently and share findings
5. Subject-matter expertise: Knowledge of the ideology, history, and politics of fascism and antifascism is a plus but not required
6. Commitment to antifascism and social justice

Compensation, Duration, and Work Location

• Salary: $20-25 per hour depending on experience
• Hours per month: 20-30 (mostly flexible, but participation in pre-scheduled meetings and events is required)
• Duration: 12-20 weeks with an ideal start date in March of 2023 with a possibility of extension
• Location: Remote within the United States
• Supervision: Member(s) of the Board of Directors

How to Apply

Please email a cover letter and resume as PDF files to info@aprilinstitute.org with “Fellowship Application – Your Name” in the subject line. Please mention your availability (start date and monthly hours) in your cover letter. We also appreciate ideas of projects and initiatives you would like to contribute and learn in what topics related to the April Institute’s work you are most interested in. Feel free to email us any questions you may have about the position prior to submitting your application. We will review applications on a rolling basis and only notify applicants we would like to interview.