Leonard Jacobs Email & Phone Number

Founded in 1972, JCAL is a member of the Cultural Institutions Group, the historic Public-Private Partnership with the City of New York. Operating two landmarked buildings—a 45,000-sq.-ft. arts center and a 400-seat performing arts center—JCAL centers BIPOC visual and performing artists among youth, families, seniors, and individuals in the diverse Southeast Queens community. Annual budget: $3.5M; 12 FT staff.• Exercised ultimate responsibility for all administrative, programmatic, and fiscal decisions and policies.• Initiated 5-year Strategic Plan (to 2029) and cultivated multiyear capacity-building investments.• Doubled operating budget ($1.7M to $3.3M) and retired $70K in long-term debt.• Brought in largest foundation grants ($1.2M) and largest major gift ($200K) in the organization’s history.• Identified, cultivated, activated, and stewarded relationships with new and reengaged corporate support.• Generated $450K earned income in FY24 through rentals and deep community partnerships.• Achieved 105K attendance during FY23 and FY24 after implementing post-COVID reopening strategy.• Nurtured and expanded critical relationships with electeds, institutional allies, and community partners.• Partnered with NYC on $4M in capital projects—landscape rehabilitation and elevator modernization.• Appointed to serve on Community Board 12 by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.• Built trust with local (DCLA, DOE, DOP), state (NYSCA, SED), and federal (NEA, NEH) agencies.• Panelist for NYSCA and Queens Arts Fund (NYFA).

Jamaica, Queens, New York, Us

Appointed interim early in COVID. Was a consultant for the institution for several months prior to appointment.• Stabilized finances, leading to rising cashflow and reserves, and first debt-free balance sheet in 10+ years.• Positioned JCAL as first cultural institution in Queens to regularly offer COVID-era performing arts.• Relaunched cornerstone arts classes for youth, and innovative, DEI-focused adult education opportunities.• Conceived and executed comprehensive plan for year-long celebration of JCAL’s 50th anniversary.• Improved internal business practices, focusing on HR handbook, debt service, and fundraising approach.• Supported board development and governance, including expansion plans and modernized bylaws.• Stewarded production of community-wide, site-specific art triennial and a digital dance festival.

For a new MA Arts Administration program, I launched two core courses; created new electives; advised thesis project and independent studies; and produced monthly speaker series.

Us

Managed a Public-Private Partnership between the City of New York and 34 museums, gardens, theaters, zoos, and multidisciplinary arts groups that are funded through $120M annual allocation of tax dollars.• Distributed monthly payments to institutions, tracking their expenditures to ensure legal use of tax dollars.• Represented Commissioner at 50+ board meetings a year, generating reports to City officials.• Partnered with EDs, trustees, and senior staff to address fiscal/programmatic opportunities and hurdles.• Administered Muni ID program with institutional partners, growing arts access to 600K New Yorkers.• Restructured and managed $1M annual funding stream to center mission-specific programs/services.• Advanced policy goals of Cultural Plan, including Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and capacity building.• Analyzed high-value metrics per institution (fundraising, attendance, headcount) via regular reports.• Advised Commissioner on requests for admission price increases, open hours, and accessibility needs.

A period of evolution: Founder of website producing original journalism at the crossroads of arts and politics.• Published 200 stories for 300K unique annual readers; managed paid editors and writers.• Completed $20K Kickstarter; earned media in The New York Times.• Connected content to key influencers and A-listers in arts and politics.• Engaged 25K followers on social media and mailing list of 5,000.• Partnered with sponsored-content clients, including Duke University.

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Pitched and delivered articles and editorial packages for 40 digital/print outlets. Highlights: theater critic for New York Press and Backstage; author, Historic Photos of Broadway, 1850-1970 for New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; contributing editor, The Cambridge Guide to American Theatre; producer, Bruce Presents: Thought Leaders in Art and Science, for Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT; center-left commentator, Fox News.

New York, Ny, Us

Managed editorial coverage for Backstage, a national performing arts trade publication. Oversight of staff and freelance writers and budget. Promoted after ownership change.• Appointed to brand restructuring task force; conducted focus groups and co-wrote business plan.• Proposed and executed content plan; met readership goals; expanded industry coverage.• Recruited and managed 20+ freelance writers; represented brand at conferences and trade shows.• Assigned, wrote, and edited celebrity profiles, investigative features, op-eds. • Senior theater critic and Tony/Drama Desk/Outer Critics Circle voter.• Reported on post-9/11 NYC arts, including attacks’ effect on Broadway, tourism, and politics.• Charged with responsibility for advertiser-driven “Spotlight” issues.

New York, New York, Us

Managed content for performing arts industry startup at the cusp of new technology.• Completed media training, appearing on TV and radio to promote site launch.• Collaborated with ownership to align content strategy with business plan.• Built in-house and freelance editorial staff. Wrote contacts and facilitated invoices.

Ma, Theater History And Dramaturgy

Bachelor'S Degree, Liberal Arts, Concentration In Theater