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Taking BOLD steps
in the
world of
non-profit arts
often feels risky …
Taking BOLD steps
in the
world of
non-profit arts
often feels risky …
Sometimes you wish you had someone to talk to who’s been through what you’re considering, who knows the pitfalls and how to avoid them, and who can bring the most up-to-date thinking about excellence, fairness, diversity, equity, access and inclusion to all your decision making.
If this advisor could also be well-connected in the California and National arts scenes, that would be a big bonus, right?
Denise Pate
is that person.
Culturally sensitive guidance from a seasoned non-profit arts professional
- Arts Management Consultant
- Grantmaking Program Expert
- Arts Performance Curator
WHO
Performing Arts Organizations
Medium to large emerging performing arts organizations approaching a half million-dollar budget.
Problems you may be facing …
Denise has rock solid experience in recruiting, hiring and even terminating upper-level nonprofit managers and executives — and in navigating many other problems that face nonprofit managers every day, including strategic decision-making, board development and more.
WHO
Grantmaking Agencies and Municipalities
Grantmaking agencies may want to demonstrate that their grant programs are equitable and accessible to many different types of grant-seekers. Agencies may need to design a procurement process, Request for Proposals, or grant application for new programming that targets artists and arts programming.
Problems you may be facing …
Denise knows both the 10,000 foot view and the nitty gritty details of setting up new arts programming in the context of governmental regulations and established procedures.
Denise Pate is a passionate advocate for the arts in communities. She understands the cultural importance of a robust arts community, including deeper implications of economics and overall health of communities. She is skillful in programming, production, advocacy, and convening diverse groups, and is trusted in communities that historically have little or no representation.
Denise Pate
is an
Arts Performance Curator
WHO
Presenters
Conference presenters, corporations, city-wide or county-wide arts agencies or festivals, special events coordinators, producers, planners and fundraising staff involved in conceiving, curating, and shaping stage performances that are integral elements of larger events.
A problem you may be facing …
Denise has hundreds of arts connections throughout the State of California, especially in the Bay Area, as well as many contacts nation-wide. She has a deep background in producing live events and curating a high caliber program that also represents the diversity of a city, county, or region.
Denise Pate has deep passion for Artist and the Transformative Power of all Artistic Disciplines.
Her intuitive understanding of narrative creation and storytelling has assisted me in securing grants to up level my music career.
Keeping an arts program or organization afloat and putting forth its best work is challenging in the best of times – requiring the rich collaboration of many people and moving parts.
Arts administrators, professional artists, performers and designers, emerging talents, young children with big dreams – these and many more are part of the rich tapestry of the American arts scene.
Denise Pate can guide you toward sustainability by helping you manage – and fund – these diverse moving parts.
Denise Pate’s clients know she stands out in this multi-faceted environment because:
She’s had a lifetime commitment to the Arts. Denise has “come up through the ranks” and achieved some of the highest arts administration positions in the country, but she’s also experienced many other roles:
- working dancer
- dance educator and mentor
- arts customer and audience member
- performance producer and director
- non-profit arts organization manager
- participant in numerous California and national grant decision-making panels
- funding coordinator for a major American city
- executive role in another major American city — the third largest municipal arts organization in the country
Her interests are diverse, encompassing many art forms and types of arts experiences, from museums to street fairs, bootstrap performances to the philharmonic, and everything in between.
Denise Pate’s knowledge base is comprehensive:
- short- and long-range planning
- defining the mission for medium-sized and large organizations
- grant research and grant writing
- creating functional funding programs within agencies
- communicating with artists and supporting them in putting their best efforts forward
- curating diverse and culturally specific performance events
INward-Facing Appraisal
Denise can help you with an inward-facing appraisal of your organization, including assessing your strengths and shortcomings, as well as setting goals and action plans for increased growth and stability.
OUTward-Facing Appraisal
Denise can help you with outward-facing strategies that help position your organization for the greatest progress toward your mission, including setting goals and action plans to achieve them.
What to expect from working with Denise Pate
You can trust Denise Pate
She has been entrusted with extensive responsibilities as an Arts funding executive for two major U.S. cities …
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
Cultural Funding Coordinator, City of Oakland, California, for 10 years. She oversaw a fund of over $1 million in annual grants to artists and arts organizations.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Director of Community Investments, San Francisco Arts Commission. SFAC is the third largest municipal arts organization in the United States, distributing $16 million in grant awards annually.
In this moment of rebuilding in California, you will not find a more dedicated administrator, advocate and leader than Denise Pate. Not only does she hold years of experience as a performing artist, cultural strategist and administrator, she offers the field a freshness in perspective and bold way of envisioning cultural equity and creative placemaking.