After graduating from university and working for several contemporary art galleries in Italy, Manuela Nebuloni was ready for a bigger challenge. Her goal was to dive deeper into the field of performance and cultural production, learning more about how American organizations present these types of events. So, when the opportunity to do an internship in the United States arose, Manuela jumped at the chance!
We recently caught up with Manuela to learn more about her internship in New York, NY. Founded in 2004 by art historian and curator RoseLee Goldberg, Performa is the leading organization dedicated to exploring the critical role of live performance in the history of twentieth-century art and encouraging new directions in performance for the twenty-first century.
During her internship with Performa, Manuela had the chance to work as a Production Fellow with other outstanding professionals from the United States and beyond. “I learned a lot about producing shows in a fast-paced environment,” she told us, adding, “I took a deeper look into the American art scene, contemporary African art, and social engagement in urban centers.” Keep reading to learn more about her incredible experience in New York!
What impact has your traineeship with Performa had on your life and your career?
My exchange program allowed me to spend a six-month fellowship at Performa, a leader in commissioning artists whose work explores the critical role of live performance and encouraging new directions in performance for the twenty-first century. In my country, there is great interest in performance art right now and we are eager to learn about the research currently being conducted in the United States.
I especially appreciated the variety and diversity of the cultural offerings in New York. So many artists I admire chose New York as their base, or are drawn here from all over the world. I was part of a team I loved and very much enjoyed working with. There was never a dull day!
From the personal point of view the impact has been even greater; this experience in the United States has helped shape my vision on the role of art in our cities and everyday life. I expanded my understanding of American culture and benefited from a multicultural work environment. This is something that can be gained by diving everyday into a new context and by relating to people from another country.
What was your favorite memory from your exchange program?
As part of Performa17 Biennial, I had the chance to collaborate to the production of a piece by artist Kelly Nipper, in collaboration with MIT’s Self-Assembly Lab and the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts at Brown University. Working with a multi-disciplinary team over several months was an intense and enriching production experience. The work involved liaising daily with MIT, producing custom elements, and setting up for the performance. A captivating choreography on a newly-created soundtrack, it was a real opportunity to witness closely the full creative process. Supporting an artist in achieving her vision was a real privilege.
What was it like living in New York and what was your favorite thing to do in the city?
I loved spending six months in New York! I have fond memories of its streets, the cafes in Brooklyn, as well as its parks, beaches and art centers. It’s vibrant and felt like home. I feel I was totally immersed in the arts and part of the big machine of cultural production of New York. I couldn’t choose among the many performances, experimental theatre shows, contemporary art exhibitions, and live music concerts I saw. Every day was slightly overwhelming, in a good way.
Did you experience cultural differences when you first arrived, and how did you react to this?
As someone coming from a country that is proudly rooted in its past, it’s still mind-blowing to me to observe how quickly America changes. The age of buildings, habits, and provenance of people is quite a difference with Italy, which makes me curious to learn more about it. There are for sure differences in daily life, especially due to the big size of New York and its peculiarities. I felt that Italian culture is quite present in the American one. Adaptability when you are in another country is a must, it can be an effort sometimes but most of the time I regard it as funny and a chance of personal growth.
What does cultural exchange mean to you?
Taking the time to look intensely into another culture. There’s a great range of cultures if you go to the United States, diverse and multi-faced. It also means being open, curious, and allowing oneself to add an experience to your life. There is a lot to learn out there and many possibilities you’ll only see if you change point of view.
What advice can you offer to future exchange visitors coming to the United States?
Go! You can’t help feeling enriched by the experience. Allow yourself to spend enough time in the United States. And travel, it’s a big country.
Learn more about IA&A's programs for performing arts managers and start planning your unique exchange experience!