Artist and arts administrator with a deep passion for serving artists and community. Thorough experience on the front lines collaborating to bring artists visions to life. Strong focus on organizational infrastructure and the power of visionary leadership to make for more enriching art experiences.
 
EDUCATION
NYU, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development - Class of 2020

• MA Visual Arts Administration program developing professional skills focused on non-profit and business leadership practices. Courses include Development in the Visual Arts, Strategic Planning and Governance, Entrepreneurial Projects in the Arts, and Financial Management at the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, 2012

• BFA in Photography, minor degree in Art History, Degree Cum Laude. Visual Arts focus with a broad scope of additional courses focusing on the history of photography, philosophy, and social evolution.

Institute for Ethical Leadership, Rutgers University, Newark, 2017-18

• Victoria Foundation Emerging Leaders Fellowship consisting of a year-long monthly non-profit leadership skill development workshops led by industry leaders. Workshops include developing personal leadership style, financial management, and strategic planning.

 
EXPERIENCE 
Director of Operations, Gardenship, Kearny, NJ
January 2021 – Present

• Responsible for developing infrastructure for newly established arts residency and fabrication studio.
• Support legal team in completing 501(c)(3) non-profit application. Special focus on financial reporting for Gardenship including creating pro-forma budget and strategic plan.
• Primary lead on implementing project management protocols, POs and invoices, website upkeep, grant applications, studio residency management, and public program logistics.
• Project budgets and manage financials using Quickbooks.
• Research and apply for grants from private foundations and state/federal institutions.
• Implementing social media strategy, internship program, and develop educational program.
• Originate new community programming designed to serve local communities and engage corporate partners at Kearny Point Development.

Project Manager & Co-Curator, Laychu Studio
January 2022 – Present

• Collaborate and coordinate workflow for largescale public art projects.
• Manage communication with artists including developing timeline of development and issuing contracts.
• Coordinate multi-phase community engagement process to develop concepts for artists to work with.
• Collaborate to arrange presentation items for both funding stakeholders and community members.
• Research and engage with fabricators in complex workflows and arrange for multi-organizational collaborations in artwork creation and installation.
• Develop working knowledge of public engagement and safety in designing hardscapes with artwork embedded in installed stonework.
• Produce project proposals and budgets for RFPS. Develop work plans and budgets for change orders.

Manager & DSO, Student & Academic Services, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, New York, NY
January 2021 – Present

• Student services primary support, responsible for FERPA compliant student data tracking, attendance, and supporting students in their educational needs.
• Coordinate International student data in SEVIS database to issue I-20s. Responsible for helping students navigate the F-1 Visa process including CPT and OPT.
• Organized Monday project management board for entire Student Services deparmtent.
• Host informational workshops and new student orientation.
• Partnership with admissions department to coordinate onboarding new students with special focus on ensuring smooth transition for international student needs.
• Liaise with providers outside of SIA to offer mental wellness and ESL workshops for students.
• Originate community building events for students in distance-learning setting and in-person.
• Lead organizer for Graduation Ceremony.
• Collaborate on multi-national educational partnerships including in China and Mexico.
• Responsible for tracking and reporting on NY-State mandated vaccination data.
• Leading team member of Brand-Ed's DEI Council

Undergraduate Advising Temp, Department of Art and Art Professions, New York University
June 2020 – August 2020

• Support department faculty and staff in student registration
• Organize advising meetings with BFA Program Director using collaborative Google Calendar and Zoom
• Maintain organized and confidential student enrollment data
• Advise students on course selection during COVID-19 course schedule restructuring
• Administrative support to Art and Art Professions department in course and restructuring plan for Fall 2020

Assistant Financial Analyst, Department of Art and Art Professions, New York University
February 2019 – May 2020

• Responsible for itemizing, preparing, and processing reimbursements through AP Workflow software. Experience with domestic and international reimbursements including managing exchange rates, per diem travel stipends, and business meals/travel.
• Involved in managing departmental invoices through i-Buy. Processing invoices includes on-boarding new vendors, itemizing each expense, and assigning departmental accounts for payment.
• Created collaborative, department wide, budget for tracking and projecting expenses.
• Front desk liaison responsible for welcoming all guests and staff to the department’s administrative offices, as well as, directing phone calls and incoming deliveries throughout each program.

Development Operations Intern, The Guggenheim, New York, NY
January 2020 – March 2020

• Aid the Development Operations team in supporting the work of the entire Development department through its database and filing system, research projects, list and mailing management, event administrative support, financial processing, donor stewardship and recognition, and statistical and analytical reporting.
• Special training in Raiser’s Edge, The Museum System, Digital Asset Management, and Library Archiving.

Development Intern, The Drawing Center, New York, NY
September 2019 – January 2020

• Primary support for Development Department helping to brainstorm and implement ideas to cultivate, support, and steward new and existing donors.
• Extensive research in potential foundation support and for developing TDC's new membership program.
• Responsible for tracking donors, updating gifts and data in Salesforce, and tracking gift transmittal workflows for acknowledgements and receipts.
• Support in The Drawing Center’s special events including the annual fundraiser and board meetings.

Gallery Manager, Gallery Aferro, Newark, NJ
May 2012 - August 2018

• Responsible for the day-to-day happenings of the Gallery as well as developing production schedules for programmatic goals. Created comprehensive Production Breakdown and Promotion Timeline using Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Primary liaison between artists, curators, collaborators, vendors, interns, and volunteers to complete program goals, tasks, and deadlines.
• Created 2018-2020 ADA Plan, collaborated with Newark Arts to create an ADA Advisory Board accessible to all arts organizations in Newark. Represented Gallery Aferro in ArtPride NJ’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
• Created Artist Takeaways for each exhibition/artist using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. Maintain all Aferro related websites via Wordpress. Managed most brand identity assets.
• Grant Program Collaboration/Facilitator: Creative Capital Professional Development Program, Sustainable Arts Foundation & Scholastic Art and Writing Award.
• Collaborated on fiscal sponsorships to develop new programming, including working closely on grant writing, designing programming and hosting events.
• Additional tasks include; Lead on artwork installations and deliveries, orienting key holders; writing exhibition copy for press materials; managing public events and private event rentals; maintaining stock of office and cleaning supplies.

Co-Founder and Administrative Director, Collaborate Audio Lab, Newark NJ
November 2014 - March 2017

• Aided in the conception of the organization in collaboration with Spencer Frohwirth, Emma Wilcox, and Evonne Davis, as well as others. Collaborated on grant applications including deadline management and writing. Aided in production of events, programmatic goals, and press materials.

Judge & Administrator of Judging the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
January 2016, 2017 & 2018, Hosted by Gallery Aferro

• Responsible for coordinating volunteer panels to judge Scholastic Art and writing Awards submissions by high school aged artists from across the country.
• Managed all deadlines and panel trainings for proper compliancy to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards specifications.

 
CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE
Process and Practice, Group Exhibition Curated by Evonne M. Davis, 2019
Gallery Aferro, Newark NJ

• Group Exhibition survey of Gallery Aferro Studio Residency.
• Installed large scale photography installation entitled After Tidal.

Elevator Music 4, 2018
Elevator Music Installation @ Gallery Aferro, Newark NJ

• Originated and organized open call for artists.
• Processed dozens of applications and conducted interviews.
• Collaborated with local artist to create custom hardware for immersive exhibition experience.

Only Home, Solo Exhibition by Kevin Durkin, 2017
Main Gallery @ Gallery Aferro, Newark NJ

• Conducted studio visits and extensive planning with artist.
• Organized artwork transportation, layout in gallery, and installation of over 40 artworks.
• Created consignment agreement, press materials, exhibition card, etc.

Everyone In Their Own Way, Group Exhibition, 2016
Arts Guild of New Jersey, Rahway NJ

• Organized invitation to artists and compliance with AGNJ administrative infrastructure.
• Coordinated artwork delivery, oversaw artwork layout and installation in historic building.

O.O.O.A., Performance by Oculus Art Collaborative, 2016
Main Gallery @ Gallery Aferro, Newark NJ & Summit: The High Focus Institute, Brooklyn NY

• Collaborated on conceptualizing anarchic sound art “game” inspired by John Zorn’s Cobra.
• Created unique open call for multimedia “sound object”.
• Originated game rules and guidelines for participation.
• Constructed and transported large game show style spinning wheel.

Molting, Group Exhibition, 2016
Main Gallery @ Gallery Aferro, Newark NJ

• Worked as part of a 3 person curatorial team.
• Created unique exhibition invitation for a large 15 person exhibition.
• Oversaw installation and coordinated transport to and from Gallery Aferro.
• Created consignment agreement, press materials, exhibition card, etc.

EXT+SOA, Group Exhibition with Oculus Art Collaborative, 2016
Index Art Center, Newark NJ

• Invited as artist collaborator with group of NJIT Architecture Students.
• Collaborated as a creative director in collaborating with students to design installation.
• Oversaw securing material and installation of exhibition.

Dreams Before Sleeping, Group Exhibition for Newark Open Doors, 2013
85 Market Street, Newark NJ

• Curated in collaboration with Evonne M. Davis, Artistic Director and Founder of Gallery Aferro.
• Organized open call, reviewed applications, selected artist to exhibit.
• Oversaw and assisted with transport and installation.

 
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Electrician at TriPoint Electric, Artist/Curator in residence with Oculus Art Collaborative, Public Speaking workshop funded by TD Bank grant through Gallery Aferro, Artist in Residence at Gallery Aferro, freelance copy work photographer, proficient with Microsoft Excel to create budgets, production schedules, and promotional timelines, experience with Filemaker Pro, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom, Bridge, Premier, Salesforce, and Raisers Edge.