Benny Olk Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

As the Donor Relations Coordinator I provide critical support for the Development Department to ensure that donors to the Walker Art Center receive the highest quality experience and service. I serve as the first line of communication with donors ($250 and above) and oversees the day-to-day administrative functions of the Development Department. I also support the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of the Walker’s individual and institutional donors. Key responsibilities include: provide excellent customer service to Walker donors; process gifts/pledges ($250 and above), grant agreements, and sponsorship contracts; manage donor benefits fulfillment and concierge services; coordinate Annual Fund renewals and the Garden Appeal campaign; maintain accurate donor records and lists; manage Development department data and reports; provide administrative and events support for the Development department, and other duties.

This temporary role supported the Walker’s corporate fundraising focusing on sponsorship proposal development, donor communications, and prospect research.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Working in Basic Membership I processed all gifts under $250 and maintained clean data entry in Tessitura. I also sent fulfillment and renewal correspondence and responded to all member inquiries vi phone and email, as well as supported monthly virtual events.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

As the Annual Fund Assistant I processed and managed the acknowledgement process for all gifts over $250, including more than $1 million from Avant Garden alone. I also enjoyed providing warm and professional support for donor events. In addition, I took on special assignments such as a 100+ page data analysis of our previous fiscal year.

Stockholm, Sweden

I organized a syllabus around the principles of rhythmic accuracy, spatial awareness, and torso and legwork to introduce the first and second year students to Cunningham technique using the traditional back exercises in the typical class format. I drew on my experience learning and performing repertory, as well as my study of Cunningham's philosophy of teaching and dancing to inform my approach with the students.

Assisted Benjamin Degenhardt during multiple continuing education seminars at Pilates studios around the US, Canada, and Germany; demonstrated of materials while providing critical engagement in small groups and one-on-one teaching settings; responsible for email communication and event coordination for Mr. Degenhardt’s continuing education for Pilates teachers; administrative assistance for Benjamin Degenhardt’s 360° Pilates Certification program with organizing applications, direct communication between host sites for seminar set-up, fielding questions from applicants and program participants

Lucinda Childs who, since performing with the historically significant Judson Dance Theater in 1963 and founding her company in 1973, has gone on to receive much-deserved recognition as one of America’s greatest modern choreographers. During week one, her company will perform Lucinda Childs: A Portrait (1963-2016), a five-decade retrospective devoted to such seminal works as Pastime (1963), Interior Drama, (1977), Concerto (1993), and the NY Premiere of a new work commissioned by The Joyce, The Sun Roars Into View (2016), which features the music of Colin Stetson and Sarah Neufeld (Arcade Fire, Bell Orchestre). The second week is devoted to the magnificent Dance, Childs’ 1979 signature evening-length work that features a commissioned score by Philip Glass and the original film decor by Sol LeWitt in which the Company’s original dancers are projected in perfect synchronization with the live dancers on stage. Both weeks promise to be remarkably “close to stage heaven.” The Guardian (London)

Greater New York City Area

Worked at the front desk at the busy fitness studio in Chelsea, using MindBody Online to schedule Pilates, personal training, physical therapy, and massage; assisted the owner Jared Kaplan in developing promotional material and social media marketing; developed systems to track appointment and sales metrics for studio expansion

Greater New York City Area

Under the direction of the Executive Director Sally Benner provided operational and administrative assistance to the NU OARD, including research of prospects at the major gifts level; managed a heavy Outlook calendar and coordinated scheduling between the Evanston campus and the New York satellite office

Master Of Arts - Ma, New Performative Practices

Throughout my two years, I developed a regular and ongoing studio practice where I drew on my personal dance history as material.

Bachelor Of Fine Arts - Bfa, Dance