Arts Administration

General 

• 25+ yrs senior level non-profit management experience - at a multidisciplinary presenting and producing arts facility with programs in film, theatre, music, dance, visual arts, literary arts and arts education

• Well-rounded set of competencies - including visionary leadership, artistic management, fiscal stewardship, nurturing educator, engaging collaborator and outstanding communicator

• A solid record of revenue growth and fiscal management; experience fundraising & grant writing

• Master networker grounded in extensive personal relationships with cultural leaders & staff

• Self-motivated, with an unparalleled work ethic

• Positive, cooperative, energetic, inclusive, empathetic, supportive leadership style

Strategic Leadership

• Strong, creative, innovative thought partner for multiple boards, staff and community

• Keen awareness of positioning arts in a community context – ever seeking connections with organizations and community leaders; significant work with mission and vision

• Politically savvy and diplomatic in service of multiple stakeholder constituencies – boards, funders, government, patrons, artists/presenters; extensive contract negotiations; served on multiple task forces

• Extensive management experience including hiring, evaluations, termination, team motivation, productivity systems & measurement

• Highly effective speaking, writing and listening skills; experienced public speaker to a variety of audiences; 15 years curtain & keynote speeches at festival events

• Strategic thinking and planning; numerous retreats, workshops, strategic plans and conferences

• Served on JCC Senior Management team for 10 years; JCC ($12M budget) was parent org to Mizel ($4M budget)

Communications, Collaboration and Inclusion

• Oversaw operations of Tapestry Theatre Company (part of CenterStage) serving special needs actors

• DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) experience with disability/ accessibility programs for the arts (PHAMALY Theatre Co; DEI programming at Mizel Center); IDEAS Stage & Rehabilitative Rhythms board service; passionate advocacy for arts and culture and inclusion programming

• Coalition and partnership building - community collaborator through Collaborative governance and program participation; numerous collaborations with other organizations

• Effective use of data collection and measurement tools including demographics, focus groups & surveys

• Deeply engaged in SCFD reauthorization effort (2016); part of prestigious task force (charged with making recommendations for changes to the legislation); on the Steering committee for Citizens for Arts to Zoo (who ran the campaign)

• Strong technology experience and computer proficiency – MS Office, Google, Quickbooks, Vendini, ArtsPeople, PayCom, Gusto, Zoom, Neon, Canvas & more   

Financial, Fundraising and Grants Stewardship

• Raised over $200K from government grants for CenterStage Theatre Company

• Demonstrated history of financial success: Expertise in budgeting, finance and allocations management; recently grew Mizel revenue from $3.2M in 2015 to $4M in 2019 – 25% increase last 5 yrs; 36% increase last 10 yrs; 100% increase during Steve leadership tenure; experienced reading and creating financial statements – budget, forecast, re-forecast; overseeing accounting & audits

• Expert in donor relations from strategy to solicitation to closing to ongoing stewardship; averaged $1M annually contributed giving last decade (all sources)

• Successful grant writer and custodian, successfully obtaining ongoing funds from multiple granting sources including government, foundation and corporation

• Instrumental in the creation of two endowment funds for theatre programs ($300K+)

• Project team member in major Elaine Wolf Theatre renovation in 2012 ($3M) & Shwayder Theatre renovation project in 2006 ($200K)

Arts Venue Management

• Over two decades experience at Mizel operating two theatrical venues – 400 seat mainstage theatre and 100 seat black box with a variety of in-house programming, rentals, national and international presenting programs

• Management of 60 seat theatrical venue for CenterStage Theatre Company, Louisville

• Oversaw upkeep, maintenance, improvements, equipment purchase and renovations on Arts Center facility which included two theatres, workshop space, dressing rooms, several class & rehearsal rooms, a ceramics studio, an art studio, and a small art gallery (closed in 2015)

• Oversaw box office operations and ticket sales including improving existing systems and acquiring new systems

• Oversaw all staffing at the arts center including personnel management for box office, technical, artistic, programming and education staff

• Assisted in marketing a wide array of programmatic offerings to a variety of audiences.

• Project team member in 2012 Elaine Wolf Theatre renovation ($3M), 2006 Shwayder Theatre renovation project ($200K) and 1995 construction of Pluss Theatre ($200K)