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(FAIRFAX, VA)—George Mason University's Arts Management Program, in partnership with Central Advancement and the College of Visual and Performing Arts, presents Working in the Arts: Overcoming Fundraising Challenges with Laura Fredricks. The discussion is moderated by Associate Vice President of Development for George Mason University’s Central and Units and Arts Management adjunct faculty, Eileen Kennedy. This hybrid event will take place on Monday, March 18from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monson Grand Tier and at the Center for the Arts and on livestream via Zoom. Register now!
About the Event:
The conversation and Q&A format provide an opportunity for Mason and community members to develop a better understanding of fundraising, its impact on the arts industry, and the ways in which meaningful fundraising can help build the next generation of arts supporters. The evening will expand upon Fredricks’ newest book, Hard Asks Made Easy: How to Get Exactly What You Want, which was released in June 2023. Additional subject matter will include the modern trends of fundraising, Fredricks’ The Ask, and more topics related to the arts management field.
Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Rick Davis discusses his excitement about attending the event, “I am excited that Laura Fredricks, a nationally renowned fundraiser, will be joining us to share her unparalleled insights. It's a great example of how our arts management program constantly seeks out the very best professionals to bring real-world experience to our community, as members of the faculty and, as in the current case, as distinguished guests.”
Guests who are unable to attend this event in person or via the live stream will be able to watch the recorded event on Mason Arts Amplified as of March 21, 2024. Event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
About the Participants:
“The Ask” Expert, Laura Fredricks, J.D. trains and coaches individuals, businesses, and nonprofits on “how to ask.” She has raised more than $1 billion for her clients and comes from successful careers in industries known for making the toughest and biggest asks—law and philanthropy.Laura’s 5 Laws on Asking and her prior six books have helped hundreds of global executives, industry trailblazers, accountants, marketing and communication leaders, boards, fundraisers, entrepreneurs, teenagers, artists, philanthropists, and everyday people get their best professional and personal life possible, just by asking. Her most recent book Hard Asks Made Easy: How to Get Exactly What You Want, released in June 2023, is Amazon’s #1 for
Business Mentoring and Coaching, #5 Personal Transformation, and #17 of all Self-Help books. Laura’s book was named “One of the Top 15 Business Books for 2023.”
She is the recipient of the Ralph E. Chamberlain Award for extraordinary leadership in the field of fundraising and lifetime of service to the profession, and the New York Nonprofit Network’s 50 Over 50 Award for excellence in media and philanthropy. Since 2005, Laura has been teaching “The Art of the Ask: Effective Communications and Negotiation Strategies” at New York University School of Professional Studies. www.LauraFredricks.com.
Eileen Kennedy is the Associate Vice President of Development, Central and Units. In this leadership role, she oversees the following areas: university life, athletics, libraries, visual/performing arts, annual giving, parent and family philanthropy, and planned giving. Prior to this, Ms. Kennedy was the Director of Development for the Hylton Performing Arts Center, where she led a team effort to successfully complete the capital campaign to build the new Educational and Rehearsal Wing. She, too, successfully managed eight anniversary galas that raised over $1.6 million. In addition, Ms. Kennedy is an adjunct faculty member for George Mason University’s Arts Management program and teaches graduate level classes in fundraising and governance/leadership. Prior to the Hylton Center, Ms. Kennedy was the Director of Corporate, Foundation and Government Relations at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Washington National Opera, and the Capital Children’s Museum. She also served as the Director of Individual Giving at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, where she focused on major gifts and planned giving programs. Eileen received her B.A. and J.D. degrees from Temple University and her M.A. degree in Arts Policy and Administration from The Ohio State University.
About Mason Arts
Mason Arts encompasses the seven academic programs of George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, six community arts programs, seven galleries, the Center for the Arts, the Hylton Performing Arts Center, and the digital venue, Mason Arts Amplified. The fusion of academic and professional work on campus and throughout the community is the hallmark of Mason Arts and collectively it creates the largest arts presence in Northern Virginia. The college is home to the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music, the Schools of Art, Dance, and Theater, as well as programs in Arts Management, Computer Game Design, and Film and Video Studies. The college prepares students for careers as creators, performers, teachers, scholars, arts leaders, and arts entrepreneurs, and provides them opportunities to perform, create, and exhibit their work in the wide variety of Mason Arts venues. Learn more about George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts!
About Arts Management
The Arts Management Program trains artists and arts leaders to meet ever-growing demands for strategic leadership and organizational expertise within arts and cultural organizations, both private and public. Arts managers work bridge the worlds of performing and visual arts with applied managerial, financial, and programmatic skills. Core courses focus on leading management theories, best practices, and delve deep into the technical skills needed for a growing field. Learn more about the Arts Management Program!
About George Mason University
George Mason University, Virginia’s largest public research university, is located near Washington,D.C., and enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innova]on and entrepreneurship,remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. Learn more about Mason Now: Power the Possible!