Programs and Communications Director

• Aug 2016 - Present

· Granting Programs: Managed the operations of grant programs for individual dancemaking artists. Coordinated the programs’ promotions, applications, and selection processes including application work sessions, one-on-one coaching with finalists, and feedback calls with applicants. Worked closely with program mentors to monitor and support awardees' progress toward their project goals as they research, develop, and present new dance works. Coordinated artist retreats, convenings, and work-in-progress sharings. Facilitated community partnerships that support artistic development for dance creators. Conducted program evaluation with members of the Board of Directors. · Public Programs: Coordinated with the Executive Director for the development and execution of large-scale events (two city-wide forums, Natural Encounters 2019, and Elevate Chicago Dance Festival 2017 and 2018, and Regional Dance Development Initiative Chicago) and multiple public events (symposiums, panel discussions, choreographic workshops, public dialogues, artist convenings, and performances). Arranged for space and accessibility services. Supervised contractual staff, interns, and volunteers in the planning and implementation of public events.· Partnered Programs: Closely collaborated with institutions such as American Dance Abroad, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Nature Conservancy, and Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center on special projects and residencies for dancemaking artists.· Communications: Served as lead liaison with designers on organizational rebranding and development of a new website. Oversaw the compilation, editing, and sending of monthly e-newsletter. Updated and maintained the website, social media platforms, media relations, and e-marketing. Regularly distributed information on opportunities and resources available to local dancemaking artists. Show less

Coordinator for Regional Dance Development Initiative (RDDI) and Social Media Consultant

• Apr 2016 - Aug 2016

Guest Lecturer

• Sep 2013 - Present

The University of Maryland, Brigham Young University, Hope College, Georgetown University, Universal Exposition Milan, Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations, Dance + Social Justice Conference at NYU, and TEDx Shibin El Kom The University of Maryland, Brigham Young University, Hope College, Georgetown University, Universal Exposition Milan, Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations, Dance + Social Justice Conference at NYU, and TEDx Shibin El Kom

Contributor

• Apr 2016 - Dec 2019

http://www.clydefitchreport.com/author/shawn-lent/ http://www.clydefitchreport.com/author/shawn-lent/

Independent Contractor

• Oct 2018 - Feb 2019

Alliance Building Team Leader and Writer

• Jun 2015 - Dec 2017

· Pioneered a new model of public interest journalism in the arts alongside an editorial team of 11 individuals. · Head writer for four long-form research-based articles. · Lead of audience engagement, public programming, and cultivation of alliances. · Pioneered a new model of public interest journalism in the arts alongside an editorial team of 11 individuals. · Head writer for four long-form research-based articles. · Lead of audience engagement, public programming, and cultivation of alliances.

Independent Contractor

• Aug 2015 - Nov 2017

Creating original workshops and curricular materials for public scholarship program of U.S.–Egypt Higher Education Initiative (HEI).

EducationUSA Coordinator

• Dec 2013 - Jul 2015

-Planned, led, oversaw, budgeted, evaluated and reported on all Egypt activities for EducationUSA, a U.S. Department of State global network of educational advising services; supervised 2 Advisors (in Cairo and Alexandria) and 6 Interns.-U.S. Embassy Cairo Award for innovation and excellence in using technology and personally engaging tools to inform Egyptian about the benefits of studying in the U.S., presented by Ambassador Beecroft, June 2015; unique honor for non-embassy employee.-Increased number of Egyptians studying in the U.S. to 2,974 (highest total ever with undergrads increasing 8%) by developing stronger relationship with Egypt Desk at State, AMIDEAST HQ in D.C., and U.S. Embassy, as well as healthier team environment.-Tripled attendance of in-house workshops (from 150 to 450 average monthly), creating one of top 5 most vibrant EducationUSA centers in the world. Coordinated fairs, info sessions, individual advising, and national outreach for 10,000+ students annually.-Boosted engagement on social media i.e. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Slideshare (from 3,000 to 20,000 engaged users monthly on Facebook, with 120,000 fans total) to develop community of peer-support and provide virtual advising to students in remote areas.-Designed and facilitated 70 original workshops and presentations on study in the USA, including unique events like Pre-Exam Yoga, Pre-Departure Orientation was highlighted as regional example and requested by Fulbright and U.S. Embassy Cairo Exchanges. Show less

Independent Contractor

• Sep 2016 - Sep 2017

Leading a multi-campus Networks of Excellence project on role of dance in peace building and diplomacy (including research, pilot programs in Yonkers and internationally, and training), working with faculty from dance, psychology, somatics and philosophy. Faculty from SUNY campuses Purchase, Cortland and Geneseo are collaborating with technical expert Shawn Lent to design a research project investigating how engagement in body-based arts experiences can positively impact Conflict Resolution and Track 3 Diplomacy and how the knowledge and capacities to lead such dance experiences can be assessed and taught in order to empower a new generation of artists. Show less

Dance Programming

• 2012 - 2015

-Spearheaded 57357 Arts Day Festival, involving and training 10 Egyptian artists to work in a community-based setting. -Secured funding and in-kind donations from the U.S. Embassy Cairo, Consul General of Egypt in Chicago, American dance schools and individuals to bring 300+ dance costumes and experiences to children with cancer. -Designed and led various dance experiences with patients, families and staff. -Spearheaded 57357 Arts Day Festival, involving and training 10 Egyptian artists to work in a community-based setting. -Secured funding and in-kind donations from the U.S. Embassy Cairo, Consul General of Egypt in Chicago, American dance schools and individuals to bring 300+ dance costumes and experiences to children with cancer. -Designed and led various dance experiences with patients, families and staff.

U.S. Fulbright Scholar, Lecturer at the Academy of the Arts

• Sep 2012 - Jan 2013

Led project titled Artist as Catalyst. Served as visiting lecturer and instructor in modern/jazz dance at the High Institute of Ballet, implementing new curricula, pedagogy and evaluation methods. Provided additional workshops on community arts for the first time in the Institute’s history. Led project titled Artist as Catalyst. Served as visiting lecturer and instructor in modern/jazz dance at the High Institute of Ballet, implementing new curricula, pedagogy and evaluation methods. Provided additional workshops on community arts for the first time in the Institute’s history.

Arts Integration Program Specialist

• 2006 - 2012

-Overhauled systems, plans and tools (including budgets) to provide fiscal transparency, efficiency and connection to strategic priorities of the U.S. Department of Education, Chicago Public Schools, and Columbia College Chicago. -Managed arts integration programs in 45 middle-school classrooms for Translations: Multi-Directional Learning in Arts, Literacy and Math project. Supervised teaching artist cohort of 15 in Project AIM (Arts Integration Mentorship). -Coordinated logistics and content of 3 summer institutes for 100+ public school teachers and teaching artists. -Served as Assistant Editor for “AIMprint: New Relationships in Arts and Learning,” Cynthia Weiss and Amanda Lichtenstein, editors, Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL, January 2008, a 300-page compilation of essays, curricula examples and templates. Show less

Dance Educator

• 2005 - 2012

Teaching Artist / Education Assistant

• 2004 - 2006

Devlopment Associate / Database Manager

• Jun 2000 - Sep 2001