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WHY ETCA?

In the live entertainment industry, there has been a longstanding, and now urgent need, to provide professional training for communities historically underrepresented in the arts, to develop well-prepared technical and administrative employees, and to create a more equitable employment sector. There is also the need to serve the growing segment of young adults who seek an accessible, high-quality education outside the conventions of colleges and universities.

Empire Training Center for the Arts (ETCA), co-founded by arts leaders Trish Santini and Frank Butler, is in response to the requirements of our industry and the necessity for young adults to have alternative pathways to meaningful careers.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

  • Train our students for careers that meet the evolving needs of the live entertainment industry with courses taught by established industry professionals and supported by our full-time staff. Our Stagecraft & Technology track will focus on stagehands, audio technicians, and video technicians, and our Arts Administration track will focus on company management, fundraising, and communications.
  • Create a learning culture defined by curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration: values that define the organization and curriculum and will serve our students in the field.
  • Invite artists for residencies to develop their projects in our theater and offer informal, public presentations, providing students with direct experience with artistic process, with paid work opportunities and the ability to share their accomplishments with their families and community-at-large.
  • Host monthly conversations with artists and arts leaders to expose students to diverse perspectives and experiences. Attend a broad range of cultural experiences throughout the state and NYC followed by discussions that foster inspiration, reflection and confidence-building.
  • Support our students’ professional and personal development and well-being through our Student Services department, providing seminars and workshops in financial literacy, business communication, network and relationship building, negotiation, stress management and self-care, resulting in greater resources for success when working in complex and varied environments.
  • Place students in 3-6 month paid jobs that align with their skills and interests at the conclusion of their 10-month training; students will then become part of our Alumni Group so that we can continue to support their professional development through ongoing networking events, sharing job postings, providing recommendations, and more.
  • Offer a trust-based sliding scale tuition model for our 10-month program with full tuition at $3,500. Students will also support public events with paid opportunities at $18/hour throughout the duration of their program. Our goal is to build the habit of lifelong learning for our students, recognizing that as a learner we invest in ourselves and as a professional we are paid for our expertise.

OUR CORE VALUES

Curiosity

a strong desire to know or learn something (n)
We champion curiosity, recognizing that inquiry, critical thinking, and open dialogue foster creativity, empowerment, and inclusivity. Together, we cultivate a learning environment where all voices are respected, encouraging the sharing of ideas, questions, and reflections in the pursuit of knowledge and personal development.

Problem-solving

the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues (n)
We seek opportunities to identify and solve problems in advance of potential challenges and when they arise. We are proactive in seeking information, we plan with intention and openness, and we utilize our ability to imagine and innovate in service to healthy process and positive results.

Collaboration

the action of working with someone to produce or create something (n)
We embrace collaboration and teamwork, understanding that honest relationships, clear communication, and reliability among colleagues enhances our ability to achieve shared goals. We prioritize accountability, support each other's ambitions, and celebrate successes together.

PARTNERSHIP

ETCA is a strategic partnership with Chai Developers, a Poughkeepsie-based real estate development firm with a vision and commitment to revitalize Main Street as an arts and culture district. They have invited ETCA to reside at The Chance Theater, built in 1912 as a vaudeville house, and over the past 40 years served as a music venue, hosting artists that include The Police, The Ramones, Julian Marley, David Bowie, Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan and countless other contemporary and classic rock bands. Walkway Group purchased The Chance Theater in fall 2023 and will embark on a renovation over the next few years. In the immediate and long-term future, Empire Training Center for the Arts will reside at The Chance Theater, offering ongoing employment opportunities for our alumni.

This residency allows our students to train in a working theater, establishing a standard of professionalism and a culture of belonging from the first day. Our training will be held in The Chance Theater and the adjacent building, The Loft, which will host a media lab/classroom and a student lounge.