Alexa Birdsong, Director of Arts and Cultural Programs for the City Parks Foundation of the city of New York, has worked in numerous for-profit and not-for profit businesses in the concert business. At the City Parks Foundation, her mandate is to book and manage events in over 700 parks around New York City, from concert festivals, dance exhibitions, and theatre productions to art installations and poetry readings, in order to expose the city’s residents to a broad array of cultural events and influences.
Alexa Birdsong, Director of Arts and Cultural Programs for the City Parks Foundation in NYC, talks about her background as a production coordinator. She started out working for a foundation that gave large sums of money to filmmakers. At the age of 26, she moved on to producing fundraisers of NPO's around the country. Alexa produced numerous Jazz Festivals, including Benson.
Alexa Birdsong, Director of Arts and Cultural Programs for the City Parks Foundation in NYC, talks about what is involved in producing a concert. She deals with securing a venue, finding the talent, having the proper equipment (sound, lights, instruments). To get ready for an event/concert, Alexa usually begins preparation at least 3 months in advance.
Alexa Birdsong, Director of Arts and Cultural Programs for the City Parks Foundation in NYC, talks about being the first producer of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the challenges that arose, where to find an audience, who was the audience, and how they advertised these events in New York City. Alexa also talks about dealing with a big band, the Lincoln Center Orchestra, and all the work and coordination that is needed.
Alexa Birdsong, Director of Arts and Cultural Programs for the City Parks Foundation in NYC, talks about the different positions and departments at the City Parks Foundation. Alexa is surrounded by a very supportive staff that includes an Associate Director, a Director of Dance and Childrens Programs, and Operations Director, and a Technical Director. In the summer the staff is large, containing a marketing, press, and publicity teams.
Alexa Birdsong, director of arts and cultural programs for the City Parks Foundation in NYC, talks about her career and the life of a production coordinator.
