Sharon Witting Email & Phone Number

Oversees strategies to raise 30% of VisArts’ $2.9M budget – manages relationships with 300+ donors, secures and manages grants from $10K to $450K, engages board members, leads development team, sets budget goals, directs fundraising events, and tracks impact. Leads teams of content experts, arts education program staff, and senior leadership to develop and support new initiatives to serve the community, track and measure program impact, and set policies and practices that support the… Show more Oversees strategies to raise 30% of VisArts’ $2.9M budget – manages relationships with 300+ donors, secures and manages grants from $10K to $450K, engages board members, leads development team, sets budget goals, directs fundraising events, and tracks impact. Leads teams of content experts, arts education program staff, and senior leadership to develop and support new initiatives to serve the community, track and measure program impact, and set policies and practices that support the organization’s DEIA and strategic goals. Show less

Grew institutional contributed revenue by 497% in four years, securing and managing general operating, emergency relief, and program grants to ensure VisArts' stability and sustainability before and during the pandemic. Prepared funding proposals and budgets, monitored expenses, managed relationships with 25 institutional donors, wrote reports, ensured compliance with funding requirements, and collaborated with senior leadership to develop strategic plans, procedures, and policies to advance… Show more Grew institutional contributed revenue by 497% in four years, securing and managing general operating, emergency relief, and program grants to ensure VisArts' stability and sustainability before and during the pandemic. Prepared funding proposals and budgets, monitored expenses, managed relationships with 25 institutional donors, wrote reports, ensured compliance with funding requirements, and collaborated with senior leadership to develop strategic plans, procedures, and policies to advance the organization. Show less

Rockville, Maryland

Directed VisArts’ public presence across all media (print, email, website, social, press). Collaborated with staff to promote more than 5,000 programs per year. Set strategic direction for VisArts' marketing and communications efforts, oversaw graphic design to ensure appropriate branding, managed production schedules and budgets, edited all print media, and ensured press coverage of exhibitions and public programs. Served on senior leadership team to craft the organization's first five-year… Show more Directed VisArts’ public presence across all media (print, email, website, social, press). Collaborated with staff to promote more than 5,000 programs per year. Set strategic direction for VisArts' marketing and communications efforts, oversaw graphic design to ensure appropriate branding, managed production schedules and budgets, edited all print media, and ensured press coverage of exhibitions and public programs. Served on senior leadership team to craft the organization's first five-year strategic plan. Show less

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

Founded two aerial arts companies: Elevate Arts LLC (2014-2021); and Arachne Aerial Arts LLC, the first aerial arts company in the district, co-founded and directed with Andrea Burkholder (2003-2013). Choreographed, produced, directed, and performed innovative works for stages and non-traditional venues. Directed client relations, licensing, marketing, press relations, artistic collaboration, contracts, and insurance. Won two DC Metro Dance Awards: Best Emerging Company (2007) and Founder’s… Show more Founded two aerial arts companies: Elevate Arts LLC (2014-2021); and Arachne Aerial Arts LLC, the first aerial arts company in the district, co-founded and directed with Andrea Burkholder (2003-2013). Choreographed, produced, directed, and performed innovative works for stages and non-traditional venues. Directed client relations, licensing, marketing, press relations, artistic collaboration, contracts, and insurance. Won two DC Metro Dance Awards: Best Emerging Company (2007) and Founder’s Award for Leadership in Dance (2010). Show less

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Managed content, strategy, branding, editing, and production of all print, electronic, and multimedia publications for the K-12 public school, including annual reports, newsletters, parent communications, and policy announcements. Cultivated relationships with press and placed feature stories about accomplishments, events, and mission-driven programs in major news outlets, including NPR and The Washington Post. Led complete redesign of the official website and managed the schools’ social media… Show more Managed content, strategy, branding, editing, and production of all print, electronic, and multimedia publications for the K-12 public school, including annual reports, newsletters, parent communications, and policy announcements. Cultivated relationships with press and placed feature stories about accomplishments, events, and mission-driven programs in major news outlets, including NPR and The Washington Post. Led complete redesign of the official website and managed the schools’ social media presence across all platforms. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Directed major funding initiatives for the international museum membership organization, including managing all aspects of a $10M competitive grant program that awarded grants to ten museums to produce traveling exhibitions reaching 100 host museums worldwide. Reviewed applications as a panelist for IMLS’ informal education grant making programs. Led a $375K competitive five-year grant program awarding three grants per year to museums sharing promising practices in museum education.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Directed all communications efforts for Dance Place, promoting 40-50 performances annually, ongoing and master classes, special events, and festivals. Built audiences for Dance Place programs and performances via radio, television, media relations, social media, direct mail, paid advertising, and community partnerships. Developed a new corporate giving program and brokered relationships with sponsors. Represented Dance Place to corporate funders and served as liaison to the board of directors.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Directed professional development programs for the global children’s museum field, including workshops, symposia, leadership institutes, and six annual conferences each drawing 500-700 museum professionals, grantors, and media partners. Led advisory committees of museum CEOs to develop content for 300+ training programs on topics ranging from strategic planning to exhibition design. Secured institutional funding and managed program-related grants, contracts, budgets, reports, and production… Show more Directed professional development programs for the global children’s museum field, including workshops, symposia, leadership institutes, and six annual conferences each drawing 500-700 museum professionals, grantors, and media partners. Led advisory committees of museum CEOs to develop content for 300+ training programs on topics ranging from strategic planning to exhibition design. Secured institutional funding and managed program-related grants, contracts, budgets, reports, and production schedules. Show less

Boston, Ma

Conceived and presented museum collections-based K-12 school programs on topics including Japanese and Native American cultures, American art, and the physical sciences. Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of exhibit developers, designers, scholars, and evaluators to create a major permanent interactive exhibition, Boats Afloat (1995). Trained new school interpreters in visitor service, museum academic content, audience research, and engagement strategies.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Convened a team of corporate sponsors, exhibit planners, and member museums to develop traveling exhibitions on a wide range of scientific subjects such as climate change, HIV/AIDS, and microbiology. Advised exhibition planners on design, evaluation, audience research, script development, fundraising, and public relations. Evaluated traveling exhibits and prepared written reports for exhibit planners, corporate sponsors, and federal funding agencies. Wrote feature stories for ASTC Magazine.

Master Of Arts In Teaching (M.A.T.)

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.)