Rich Harwood's Studio on Community Announced
Opportunities for studio associates
Rich Harwood, president and founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, is creating a studio within The Harwood Institute to support special efforts to advance new ideas for strengthening communities and society in a rapidly changing world. He is looking for two studio associates to begin work this year.
The studio will explore topics such as:
• The emergence and meaning of a new American narrative;
• The importance of belief and a can-do spirit in moving communities and countries forward;
• New mechanisms and spaces for bridging societal divides and engaging individuals in collective efforts;
• A new approach to shared responsibility in communities;
• The role of civic rituals in society; and
• The renewed role for the human element in civic and political affairs.
The Studio Concept
Studios have long existed as a combination workshop and space where the act of reflection can merge with acts of production. Studios have been filled with associates who both seek to contribute to those efforts, while developing their own ideas and skills. Located within the Institute, the studio will allow Rich and a high-performing team of individuals the opportunity to innovate together, as well as advance and incubate new ideas, projects, and initiatives.
Studio Associate Position Description
This is a tremendous opportunity for individuals who are seeking an intense, purpose-driven experience, who want to be part of a larger effort to advance new ideas for communities and society, particularly at a time of growing division and inwardness throughout the U.S. and elsewhere. Studio associates will work directly with Rich, a national leader whose practice, methods, ideas and approaches have helped shape the field of civic and community change for nearly 30 years.
Studio associates will support Rich in:
• Developing a series of new groundbreaking books, including conducting research, interviews, compiling background materials, and serving as a thought partner and sounding board.
• Creating new ways to spread critical ideas emerging from the studio, including new articles, special reports and projects. Specific work would include drafting ideas and materials for written pieces; researching content and ideas for possible convenings; and developing concepts for new delivery mechanisms like podcasts, innovative collateral, and new courses.
Potential Candidates
• A consultant or coach who wants to expand their professional experience and knowledge;
• A recently retired individual or stay-at-home parent seeking a new opportunity;
• A graduate student wanting to explore important areas; or
• A full-time employee whose employer sees this an important professional development opportunity.
Qualifications
Studio associates must possess the following skills:
• Excellent writer
• Strong researcher
• Conceptual and synthetic thinker
• Good communicator
• Personable and strong sense of humor
• Very focused, disciplined, and rigorous
• Internal standard of excellence
• Enjoys working as part of a team
Terms
• Minimum of 20 hours per week
• One-year commitment
• Up to $12,500 stipend
• Must work in the Institute’s Bethesda, Md., office
Additional Benefits
Studio associates will:
• Attend a Harwood Public Innovators Lab
• Participate in an annual Harwood Summit
• Shadow Rich Harwood in Harwood Institute meetings for learning and exposure
To Apply
Send letter of inquiry about your interest along with your qualifications to Grady Lenkin, special assistant to Rich Harwood, at GLenkin@theharwoodinstitute.org.
The Harwood Institute is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
About The Harwood Institute
The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation is a nonpartisan, independent nonprofit that teaches, coaches and inspires people and organizations to solve pressing problems and change how communities work together. Founded by Richard C. Harwood in 1988, the Institute partners with some of the world's largest nonprofits and organizations; its tools and frameworks are utilized in continuity across North America, and have been adopted globally by communities in more than 40 countries worldwide.
About Rich Harwood
Rich Harwood is founder and president of The Harwood Institute. For more than 30 years, he has devoted his life to transforming communities and changing our public discourse. Rich’s work has included helping communities deal with issues related to the environment, healthcare, improving public education, and healing from disasters. In 2013, he led the community process in Newtown, Connecticut, to determine the fate of the Sandy Hook School, where 20 children and 6 adults were tragically murdered on December 14, 2012. He has authored a number of books and articles on the state of politics and public life, and has spoken extensively on these subjects over the course of his career.