Melanie Franklin Cohn Email & Phone Number

Melanie Franklin Cohn is an artist and arts executive who believes in the life-changing power of art. Melanie’s life has been shaped by her love of art and artmaking. It brought her to NYC, as an MFA student at SVA, where she began to understand the power of the arts community and its history in social activism, beginning with her exposure to the work of LGBTQ+ artists during the AIDS crisis of the early 90s. The combination of art, community, and collective organizing energized her work at the New Museum, Staten Island Arts, and the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. It has led to a legacy of founding programs that focus on directing resources to community art makers so that they can create, amplify their work, empower their communities, and enrich the lives of others. Examples include the Staten Island Arts's Folk Arts program that offers resources to heritage bearers, the Visual Art Center's art therapy program for veterans in partnership with NJ Veterans Affairs, and the Visual Art Center's visual arts learning program for English language learners in partnership with the Elizabeth NJ School District.Melanie has repeatedly earned senior leadership roles based on demonstrated success in diversifying income and funding streams, optimizing P&L, and reducing operating costs. She has garnered recognition for being an astute strategist with expertise in building and motivating top performing teams, promoting community awareness & engagement, and leading non-profit organizations through critical transitions.Melanie is active in arts advocacy and policy, and has served as a New York State Captain for National Arts Advocacy & on the Steering Committees of the NYC Arts Coalition & NY Culture AID (Active in Disaster). She serves as secretary on the board of the National Organization for Arts in Health and serves on the International Advisory Board of Wellness for Greatness Kenya.Melanie has curated many exhibitions including "Tattfoo Tan: SOS"​ at Culture Lounge (2014); “New York, New York, New York.” at Flux Factory, Queens (2007); "Counter Culture"​ at the New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, featuring site-specific installations on the Bowery (2004); & the zine & internet portions of the New Museum exhibition "alt.youth.media"​ (1996). Her editorial work includes "Unmonumental: The Object in the 21st Century"​ (Phaidon/New Museum, 2007), "Who Cares"​ (Creative Time, 2006), & "Witness to Her Art" (CCS Bard Hessel Museum, 2006). Melanie received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts & her BFA from Missouri State University.

Listed skills include Non Profit Managment, Community Engagement, Arts Administration, Arts Advocacy, and 46 others.

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  Executive Director

  Visual Arts Center Of New Jersey

  Mar 2015 - Present - Summit, New Jersey

  Provides leadership of the Visual Arts Center, a contemporary art museum and studio school, by: Acting as a professional advisor to the Board of Director on all aspects of the organization's governance including strategic planning; Fostering effective team work between the Board, ED & staff.Operations Management: Developing an operational plan incorporating goals that work towards the strategic direction of the Art Center; Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization; Drafting policies for the approval of the Board and preparing procedures to implement those policies; Reviewing existing policies & recommending changes as needed.Program Management: Overseeing the planning, implementation, & evaluation of the Art Center's programs; Monitoring the day-to-day delivery of programs.Staff Management: Establishing a positive & healthy work environment; Recruiting, interviewing, & selecting staff that have the right technical & personal abilities to further the Art Center's mission; Coaching & mentoring staff to improve performance.Financial Management: Working with staff & the Finance Committee to prepare a budget; Working with the Board to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization; Overseeing the development of fundraising plans; Administering the funds of the organization according to the approved budget.Community Relations: Communicating with stakeholders to keep them informed & to identify changes in the community served by the organization; Establishing good working relationships with community groups, funders, politicians, & other organizations; Representing the organization at community activities to enhance the organization's community profile.Risk Management: Identifying & evaluating the risks & implementing measures to control risks; Ensuring that the Board of Directors & the organization carries appropriate & adequate insurance coverage.