MISSION STATEMENT

Empire Training Center for the Arts (ETCA) is a new vocational workforce development program for adults
to build meaningful careers in live entertainment and the performing arts through skills-based and experiential training,
values-driven learning, industry relationship building, and paid job opportunities. 

PHILOSOPHY

  • Train our students for careers that meet the evolving needs of the live entertainment industry with courses taught by established industry professionals and including 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.
  • Present performances at The Chance for both training and employment opportunities for our students.
  • Host conversations with artists and arts leaders to expose students to diverse perspectives and experiences. Attend a broad range of cultural experiences and tour arts organization facilities throughout the region 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 curriculum, 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.
  • Support employment opportunities in paid jobs that align with their skills and interests during and at the conclusion of their 5-month training when students become part of our Alumni Group. We continue to support their professional development by sharing job postings, making introductions, providing recommendations, etc.
  • Offer a trust-based sliding scale tuition model for our 5-month program. Students will also support public events with paid opportunities at a minimum of $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. ETCA is in residence 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. Chai Developers purchased The Chance Theater in fall 2023 and will embark on a renovation in the next few years. 
 
Our residency allows our students to train in a working theater, establishing a standard of professionalism and a culture of belonging from their first day. Our in-person training will be held in The Chance Theater and the adjacent building, The Loft, which hosts a media lab/classroom and a student lounge.