Foto del docente

Sarah Jean Benvenuti

Adjunct professor

Department of Management

Curriculum vitae

Experience:

June 2011 – present: Benvenuti Arts, Founder and Lead Consultant, New York, NY

  • Fundraising advising, including research, grants management, planning, and implementation

  • Consulting on financial management, administrative policies, and other management needs

  • Strategic planning and annual organizational planning

  • Coordinate events, galas, and performances

  • Successes include reduction of $80,000 deficit; raising over $500,000 at annual gala; increasing annual fund giving by over 25%; increasing institutional giving by 50%; and more.

  • Has served over 130 clients with direct consulting and workshops, with a focus on performing arts organizations with budgets of under $250,000.


March 2012 – November, 2014: The Civilians, Dir. of Development/Interim Managing Dir., Brooklyn, NY

  • Managed all fundraising, including individual, institutional, and events

  • Wrote grants and managed grant strategy: increased grant income by 40% over two years

  • Executed all individual fundraising efforts: increased individual and events income by over 35%

  • Initiated Major Giving and sponsorship programs, including a Risk Capital Fund: Raised over $80,000 for “Producers Fund” in its first year (2013/2014)

  • Planned and executed annual Benefit with income of over $110,000: an increase of over 30%

  • Acted as Interim Managing Director in the 2013/2014 season, overseeing finance, staff, marketing, and all administrative needs in addition to all fundraising responsibilities. Completed Strategic Plan.


August 2007- June 2011: Curious Theatre Company, Managing Director, Denver, CO

  • Administrative head of the $1 million, Equity theatre focused on new work

  • Managed Human Resources, Marketing, Development, and Finance

  • Oversaw purchasing of the theatre’s current home and renovations

  • Worked with the Producing Artistic Director in strategic planning for the organization

  • Managed Board and other organizational relationships


August 2006- July 2007: Arena Stage, Special Events Manager, Washington, DC

  • Managed all cultivation and fundraising events, working with national politicians and pundits

  • Increased revenue by 50% for online auction, and mentored 2 organizations planning auctions

May 2005 – April 2006: Future Tenant, Director, Pittsburgh, PA

  • Managed curation, budgeting, staff, facilities, grants, and events.


Workshops and Teaching:

  • Arts Management 101 Workshop Series for Arts Professionals, in partnership with the Indie Theater Fund and The Artist Co-op, 6 rounds, 2017-present

  • ART/New York, Grants Supplementals Workshop for Theater Professionals, Twice Yearly, 2018-present

  • Demystifying Institutional Fundraising in the Art Online Workshop Series, launched Fall, 2018


Grants Panels:

  • NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Brooklyn Theater and Music Grants Panel, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019

  • ART/New York, Creative Spaces Grants Panel and Theater Subsidy Grants Panel, 2014 and 2015

  • Cuyahoga Arts Council, Small Grants Funding Panel, 2014, 2015, and 2018

  • NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Zoning Resolution/Artist Certification Review Panel, 2014

Professional Talks:

  • 7in7 Conference, World-Changing While on the Road Panel, Medellin, Colombia, October, 2018

  • Fundraising Guest Lecturer for Making Art Work Senior Seminar, Bard College, 2013

  • Featured Alum Talk: Arts Management, Mercyhurst University, 2012

  • Managing Up/Managing Down lecture for undergraduates, Arts & Business Council of NY, 2012- 2014

  • Unlocking the Marketing Ideas of the Next Generation Panel, Artsreach Conference, February 2012, and National Arts Marketing Project Conference, November 2012

  • Master of Arts Management Alumni Panel, Carnegie Mellon University, 2010

  • The Creatives Journey from Survival to Success to Significance Panel, Thriving Artist Alliance, 2010

Leadership Positions:

  • Future Tenant Alumni Network, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA: Chair, 2016 – 2018

  • Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College Alumni Association Board, Pittsburgh, PA: 2012 – 2016

  • Golden Triangle Museum District, Denver, CO: Board Member, 2008-2009


Professional Awards:

April, 2012 – May, 2013: The Foundation Center Peer Circle for Development Directors Member

August, 2011 – December, 2012: Emerging Leaders of New York Arts Fellow

August – November, 2011: Arts & Business Council of New York Arts Leadership Institute

January – June, 2009: Impact Denver Leadership Program Participant

January, 2009: Observership Grant Recipient, Theatre Communications Group


Recent Volunteer Positions:

August, 2011 – 2018: CMU Master of Arts Management Program, Alumni Advisor, Pittsburgh, PA

January - June, 2016: CMU Master of Arts Management Program, Graduate Systems Project Advisory Committee, Pittsburgh, PA

January, 2015 – May, 2016: Future Tenant, Pro Bono Strategic Planning, Pittsburgh, PA

August, 2012 – August, 2013: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Big Sister, New York, NY

May, 2010-July, 2010: Denver Biennial of the Americas, Docent, Denver, CO

October 2009 to May, 2011: Warren Village, Childcare Volunteer, Denver, CO

July 2008, 2009, and 2010: Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, Box Office Staff, Denver, CO

September 2007-June 2008: National Performing Arts Convention, Local Host Committee, Denver, CO

Education:

Carnegie Mellon University, H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management, Pittsburgh, PA

Master in Arts Management, May 2006


Mercyhurst College, D’Angelo School of Music, Erie, PA

Bachelor of Music, Music Education: K-12, Instrumental and Voice, May 2004

Concentration: Piano Minor: Voice and Philosophy/Graduated magna cum laude


Lorenzo de Medici School, Florence, Italy

Basic Italian I and II, June, 2002


Training:

Anti-Racism Training, DL Consulting sponsored by Indie Theater Fund, 2018

BAM/DeVoss Institute Professional Development Program, The Civilians lead, 2013-2014

EmcArts New Pathways for the Arts, Core Group, 2010-2011

Target Resource Group Consultancy, Curious Theatre Company Lead, 2009

National Arts Strategies, Boettcher Cultural Leadership Program, 2007-2008


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