Liz’s journey began in theatrical design and technical direction. Her industry experience has been driven by a passion for being a craftsperson and designer and the desire to understand the evolution of arts spaces within communities and how they are defined and designed to serve. Liz independently developed a database exploring over 8,500 venues within municipal, commercial, not-for-profit, and academic sectors. Through this, she has been able to interpret the capacities and types of arts and event venues across the U.S., along with industry trends, programming typologies, and financial implications.
What is most significant about the work that you do?
At AMS I keep things moving forward on multiple fronts contributing insights that inform our directorship and staff with respect to internal operations and business development. I take great satisfaction in facilitating AMS’s responsiveness to our clients’ mission and vision.
Where is the greatest opportunity for the sector today? What are the changes that you see most impacting the sector today?
The sector has enormous opportunity to facilitate connection so that we may learn from and teach one another, valuing strengths and differences, and enhancing our own uniqueness. Following this notion, the ability of organizations to connect with constituents, as well as community, regional and national partners is critical to maintaining vitality.
Who are your clients?
I serve as the first point of contact for potential clients, probing the critical questions they are looking to solve. Whether to understand the implications of facility development or expansion, assisting to better illustrate vision and pathways to success through strategic planning, or evaluating the impacts of cultural investments by foundations or the public sector, I appreciate the complexity of issues and the talents our project staff contribute to the solutions.
How do you incorporate EDIA into life at AMS?
For 3 years I served on AMS’s EDIA committee, exploring opportunities for staff training and incorporation of inclusive practices as part of our ongoing commitment to create an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible sector and workplace. I also participated in Collective Action Against Racism & Inequity, an initiative launched by our local county Cultural Alliance.
What do you do in your spare time?
My husband and I always have home and garden projects we’re working on, and enjoy “pack life” with our two Siberian Huskies. I also love quilting, am a participating member of two international guilds, and have had my work touring in exhibits in Connecticut and across the U.S. Some of my pieces have been published in a prominent art quilting magazine.
