Natalie Chen

Arts Administrator

Phone: (555) 234-5678
Address: Chicago, IL
Website: https://linkedin.com/in/nataliechen
Email:
  • Detail-oriented arts professional with 4 years coordinating exhibitions at contemporary galleries and managing donor databases for cultural nonprofits
  • Proven ability to balance artistic vision with budgetary constraints while supporting 60+ events annually across multiple venues
  • Experienced in grant writing with $125K in successful funding secured for community arts programming and accessibility initiatives
  • Skilled in stakeholder communication, facilitating dialogue between artists, board members, and community partners to advance organizational missions

Work Experience

Contemporary Arts Center of Chicago

Program Coordinator

January 2022 - Present
  • Coordinate logistics for 18 exhibitions annually, managing artist communications and installation schedules for shows featuring 120+ artists
  • Increased visitor engagement 35% by implementing guided tour program and interactive artist talk series reaching 3,000+ attendees
  • Maintain donor database of 800+ patrons while processing $85K in annual contributions and managing donor recognition events
  • Collaborate with curatorial team to develop educational programming that serves 500+ students through school partnership initiatives

Chicago Youth Theater Collective

Development Assistant (Part-time)

March 2021 - December 2021
  • Supported fundraising campaigns that exceeded annual goal by 20%, raising $150K for youth programming and facility improvements
  • Created social media content strategy that increased follower engagement 45% and drove ticket sales for 8 productions
  • Processed grant applications and maintained compliance documentation for 12 funding sources including city and state arts councils
  • Coordinated volunteer appreciation events for 40+ regular volunteers supporting season operations

Riverside Community Art Space

Gallery Assistant

June 2020 - February 2021
  • Managed front-of-house operations for community gallery serving 200+ visitors weekly during rotating monthly exhibitions
  • Coordinated artist reception logistics including catering, setup, and promotional materials for 12 opening events annually
  • Implemented new inventory tracking system for artwork sales that improved accuracy and reduced processing time by 30%
  • Assisted with grant research and application preparation, contributing to successful $25K community development award

Midwest Independent Film Festival

Festival Coordinator (Volunteer)

April - August 2020
  • Managed logistics for 4-day event showcasing 52 films to 2,500+ attendees across 3 venue locations
  • Coordinated 35 volunteers across venue management, ticketing, and filmmaker hospitality services
  • Secured $18K in local sponsorships through targeted outreach campaign to 50+ area businesses
  • Developed festival program guide and promotional materials distributed to 5,000+ community members

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Arts in Art History | Minor in Business Administration

May 2020

Relevant Coursework: Arts Management, Grant Writing, Non-Profit Accounting, Museum Studies, Digital Marketing

Senior Thesis: "Sustainable Funding Models for Community Arts Organizations" - Research on innovative revenue strategies for small-scale cultural institutions

Arts Management Institute

Certificate in Non-Profit Financial Management

September 2023

National Endowment for the Arts

Grant Writing for the Arts Professional Development Series

June 2023

Technical Skills

Database Management

Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, Tessitura

Financial Software

QuickBooks, Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables)

Design Programs

Adobe Creative Suite, Canva

Project Management

Asana, Monday.com, Microsoft Project

Web Platforms

WordPress, Mailchimp, Eventbrite

Professional Skills

Stakeholder Communication

Facilitate dialogue between artists, donors, and board members

Cultural Sensitivity

Experience working with diverse communities and international artists

Crisis Management

Resolved last-minute venue changes for 400-person gala

Grant Writing

Secured $125K in funding through successful NEA and state arts council proposals

Event Planning

Coordinated 60+ cultural events ranging from intimate artist talks to large-scale festivals

Honors

Excellence in Arts Advocacy Award

Illinois Arts Council

2023
Recognized for developing youth mentorship program that increased diverse participation in local arts programs by 40%

Dean's List Recognition

Northwestern University

Fall 2019, Spring 2020
Academic excellence in Art History and Business Administration coursework

Publications

Building Bridges: Making Contemporary Art Accessible to All Communities

Arts Management Quarterly

Spring 2023
Featured article on implementing community outreach programs and reducing financial barriers to arts access

Volunteering

Chicago Community Arts Alliance

Board Member

January 2023 - Present
  • Serve on programming committee reviewing grant applications and community partnership proposals
  • Contribute to strategic planning initiatives focused on expanding arts access in underserved neighborhoods

Chicago Open Studios Weekend

Volunteer Coordinator

September 2021, 2022
  • Recruited and trained 25 volunteers for city-wide arts event featuring 80+ artist studios
  • Coordinated logistics across 15 neighborhoods, facilitating visits for 4,000+ art enthusiasts