Thank you for your interest in Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio (YANEO). Our roster of artists is carefully selected, with artists/ensembles chosen on the basis of artistic excellence and their ability to effectively communicate with students, teachers and other artists.

The relationship between YANEO and each artist/ensemble is that of an independent contractor. Artists are responsible for providing their own instruments, costumes, props and set pieces as required for each program. Artists provide their own means of transportation to each scheduled program.

We invite you to observe YANEO artists at work as you consider applying to become an artist with the YANEO chapter. Please contact the YANEO office for more information at 216-561-5005.

The application process for the 2008-2009 school year has closed, however we do accept artist applications throughout the year. Completed applications will be held on file until the next review process in Fall 2008. The deadline for this review is 5:00 PM on Tuesday, September 20th, 2008.

In order to become a YANEO roster artist/ensemble, please:

1. Familiarize yourself with YANEO and its programs by viewing our programs online and other information on this website.

2. Read the Prospective Artist Guide (PDF), complete the Prospective Artist Application (included in the Prospective Artist Guide) and mail it to YANEO’s office:

Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio
Director of Education
13110 Shaker Square, Suite C203
Cleveland, OH 44120-2313

Include any additional information with the application (i.e. reviews, photos, etc.) that will provide us with a fuller picture of your work. In addition, performance-based artists are asked to submit either a video or audio of a recent performance. Keep in mind that support materials will enhance your application; however the materials submitted will not be returned to you. You are required to submit a resume and names of 3 references.

3. Send a list of dates/locations where you/your ensemble will be performing. YANEO appreciates an opportunity to view your program before scheduling a formal audition.

4. After you’ve completed steps 1 through 3, YANEO staff will review your materials during October. Following this review, you may be contacted by YANEO for an informal interview. After completion of the interview, you may be asked for a formal audition. If you are asked to audition, a date will be mutually agreed upon and your program will be scheduled at a school. Artists/ensembles are not compensated for an audition. The audience during an audition will consist of students, teachers, and YANEO Education Committee members and staff.

5. The Education Committee and YANEO staff that attends your audition will evaluate it based on performance (i.e. ability to effectively communicate with students, ability to engage students in subject matter), artistic and educational content. If upon evaluation the Education Committee and YANEO staff recommends modifications, we ask for your cooperation in revising your program.

6. The observers during your audition will meet after your audition to decide upon a recommendation. You will receive notification of the results within one week of your audition. If your program is approved, your artist/ensemble will receive accreditation for one year from YANEO and will be invited to join the roster. We regret that a far greater number of artists/ensembles are auditioned than we can place on the roster. YANEO chooses the programming that is best suited to its needs, and many excellent programs are not admitted to the roster each year.

7. When designing a program for submission, please remember that YANEO offers three main program formats:

a. Performance programs are 45 minutes in length (pre-school programs are 25 minutes in length) and are a blend of performance and discussion with opportunities for student participation interspersed throughout. Performance programs may have an audience of 250 (50 for preschool programs). Participation may consist of discussion with audience members or direct involvement with performance activities. Use your imagination about ways of involving members of the audience

b. Workshops involve smaller groups (usually 30 or fewer students) and are generally 45 minutes to an hour in length. Workshops provide opportunities for artists to have frequent, one-on-one interaction with students. Materials/content of program must be organized to fit into the class period, with flexibility to handle questions, etc. Please note that workshops are not lectures, but hands-on, active learning opportunities to experience your art form by doing.

c. Residencies are defined as 3 or more contacts (usually 45 minutes each time, but up to 75 minutes for visual artists) with the same group of students.

YANEO schedules programs on request from schools, libraries, and other community organizations. YANEO cannot guarantee that you and/or your ensemble will receive a specific number of scheduled programs or a minimum level of income in any given time period. Every effort will be made to see that you and/or your ensemble is kept as busy as you would like to be.

Thank you for your interest in Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio. We look forward to receiving your application. Best wishes to you!