CONTACT
E-mail: sara@sarapasti.com
Mobile: 914.393.7392
EDUCATION
1988 MFA from Rutgers, The State University, New Brunswick, NJ, Painting and Printmaking
1975 BA from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT; Phi Beta Kappa with High Honors in Art
SUMMARY OF EMPLOYMENT
2019-Present Arts and Community Development Consultant, Hudson Valley and New York City
2009-2019 Director, Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY
2002-09 Arts and Community Development Consultant
Interim Executive, New York City and Hudson Valley
2001-02 Arts Management Consultant, Seattle, WA
1999-01 Director of Curatorial Affairs, Henry Art Gallery, Seattle, WA
1996-99 Managing Director, On the Boards, Seattle, WA
1993-96 Director, Artists in Action: BAM’s Visual Arts Initiative, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY
1990-94 Arts Management Consultant, New York, NY
1986-90 Founding Administrative Director, Socrates Sculpture Park, LIC, NY
1987-88 Instructor, Lithography I--Rutgers, The State University, New Brunswick, NJ
1976-86 Independent Arts Organizer, New York City and San Francisco
EMPLOYMENT / CONSULTING PROJECTS
Arts and Community Development Consultant in NYC and the Hudson Valley. (July 2020 - Present) I have performed fund development and grant writing work for AEA Consulting, Barrett House, the Center for Photography at Woodstock, En Foco, Inc., Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House, Loire Valley Theater Festival/New Heritage Theatre Group, PR3—a Program of RESOLVE, INC., Women’s Studio Workshop, and the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild. Both Hudson Hall and the New Heritage Theatre Group are recipients of Empire State Development/Market NY Grants: Hudson Hall received $129,600 for its 2022 and 2023 Hudson Jazz Festivals and New Heritage Theatre Group received $247,500 to promote Harlem Heritage Now!, a marketing initiative that includes a presentation of “Sing A Little Louder, Lynda!”—produced by the Loire Valley Theater Festival and New Heritage Theatre Group. Since 2022 I have served as Project Administrator for the Enlighten Peekskill Public Art Project, a public art project designed to draw visitors from the train station to Peekskill’s Downtown.
En Foco, Inc. (May 2019 - Present) I have repared successful grants to the Jerome Foundation to support an artist residency program ($40,000 for two years) and to the National Endowment for the Arts for a traveling exhibition of photographs by En Foco Fellowship winners ($20,000), for this non-profit organization that supports contemporary fine art and documentary photographers of diverse cultures. Recently, I have prepared successful grants to the Mellon Foundation, the Mosaic Fund, and other NYC-based funders.
Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House (May-November 2019 and May 2021-May 2022) I served as a development consultant for this small community-based cultural non-profit, overseeing the submission of two successful NYS Consolidated Funding Awards, a $49,500 grant for a facilities upgrade and a $100,000 grant. The $100,000 grant, one of ten statewide Arts Impact Awards, supported the development of the 2021 Hudson Jazz Festival.
The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz (January 2008 - 2019) After serving as Interim Deputy Director for The Dorsky Museum during a twelve-month transition period in which the long-time founding director reduced his duties and then retired, I was hired in January 2009 to serve as the museum’s full-time director. As the Neil C. Trager Director, oversaw the development and presentation of more than 75 exhibitions of historic and contemporary art, published over 40 scholarly exhibition catalogs and arranged an ongoing distribution agreement with SUNY Press, traveled exhibitions to museums within and outside New York State, launched the Hudson Valley Visual Art Collections Consortium, a group of five organizations whose collections are now accessible online at www.hvvacc.org, initiated the museum’s annual Hudson Valley Artist Purchase Award, and expanded the museum’s collection with paintings and drawings by important artists like Hudson River School painter Jervis McEntee, as well as hundreds of photographs by top-level 20th century photographers. Worked part-time from May 2019 through August 2020 as Director, External Affairs and Advancement as part of a phased retirement from the college.
Newburgh Institute for the Arts and Ideas (2007-2008) I worked with the founder of this Newburgh, NY-based organization to set up a private foundation to develop a cross-disciplinary residency program for creative individuals working at the cutting edge of their field in the arts, humanities, and sciences.
LandAir Project Resources/National Jazz Museum in Harlem (2007-2008) Working with the LandAir consulting firm, I participated in the development of a five-year strategic plan for the growth of this small, Harlem-based “virtual” museum.
LandAir Project Resources/Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting (MOFTB) (2007-2008) Working with the LandAir consulting firm, I guided the development of a programmatic and business plan for the relocation of MOFTB, including a business model and financial plan for a new Production Media Center to serve New York City’s media industry.
The Theatre Museum (2007) I guided the Theatre Museum in researching and preparing a capacity-building grant to enable it to take steps to develop a museum facility dedicated to the art and science of the theatre.
Chester Arts & Cultural Center (2007) I worked with the Chester, PA Housing Authority and Chester Arts Alive, a consortium of community arts organizations, to create a programmatic and business plan for a community arts and cultural center, including recording and digital technology studios, to be developed in this small city near Philadelphia.
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone/PR Project (2007) I worked with PR Project, Inc., a grassroots video, film and alternative media organization based in East Harlem, to complete an organizational assessment and to develop a business plan to guide the organization’s future growth.
LandAir Project Resources/Jazzmobile (2006-2007) Working with the LandAir consulting firm, I conducted an organizational assessment of Jazzmobile, a Harlem-based jazz presentation and education organization. The assessment document was the basis for a strategic business plan that secured a $1.5 million capacity building grant for the organization.
East Harlem Business Capital Corporation (2006) I worked with this non-profit development corporation to design an arts and culture program for La Marqueta Internacional, a public marketplace planned for the site of a public market that was originally launched by Mayor LaGuardia in 1936.
Ginsburg Development Companies, LLC (2006) From July through September 2006, I worked with Ginsburg Development Companies and curators Peter Lundberg and Michael Manjarris to launch the Hudson River Sculpture Trail in Haverstraw, NY. The long-term goal of this project was the installation of 100 sculptures along the banks of the Hudson River from New York City to Albany.
Dutchess County Arts Council (2006) I collaborated with Arts Council President Benjamin Krevolin in developing new strategies to increase giving from individuals and businesses, including a sponsorship program and a “Culture Cash” membership incentive program.
Bearsville Theater (2006) Working with marketing and theater consultant William Murray, I developed a business and marketing plan for a program in contemporary performance for a small, newly-renovated theater facility in Bearsville, NY.
Village of Ellenville, NY (2006) Working with Mayor Elliott Auerbach, I organized and facilitated two Arts Forums for area artists, arts and culture organizations and civic leaders to develop a vision for Ellenville as an arts and cultural destination.
City of Newburgh, NY (2004-2006) Working with City Manager Jean-Ann McGrane, I organized and facilitated four forums on arts and culture to help the City develop a vision for the arts, create an arts commission, and plan for the arts and cultural use of city-owned land and facilities. The forums lead to the creation of Newburgh’s Arts & Cultural Commission in Dec 2005. In 2006, I became Lead Coordinator for the Planning Team charged with overseeing the City’s Sustainable Master Plan outreach process.
Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art (2005) As the first Director for this new Peekskill-based contemporary art center (now HVMoCA), I worked with the President and Co-Founder to develop and institutionalize the HVCCA’s systems, programs and collaborative projects, including the annual Peekskill Project, a citywide exhibition of site-specific contemporary art.
Chamber Dance Project (2004) I provided organizational development and fundraising consulting for this Westchester-based dance company that presents high-quality original dance and music in intimate settings and commissions new works of dance and music.
Beacon Cultural Foundation (June 2002 – May 2004) As the first director of the Beacon Cultural Foundation, a new non-profit arts organization in Beacon, NY, I was responsible for all aspects of the organization’s launch, from its incorporation, to the set-up of office systems, programming, publicity, fundraising and administration, and the transformation of the former Beacon High School to create an artists’ studio complex.
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (January – April 2002) I worked with consultant Kathleen Stephenson-Kuhn to oversee a planning and fundraising feasibility study for the proposed development of Machine Works, a multi-disciplinary performing arts center for Portland, Oregon’s Pearl District.
Pratt Fine Arts Center (February – May 2002) I served as Interim Managing Director for this regional studio for the visual arts offering year-round classes, workshops and studio equipment access in glass, sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, metalsmithing and more. Oversaw all day-to-day operations, including management of staff, finances and programs.
Washington State Cultural Congress (March 2002) With arts management consultant Christine Weed, I developed and presented a seminar called “Navigating Planning Terms—Choosing the Right Planning Tool.”
Consolidated Works (July 2001 – March 2002) I served as a fundraising and management consultant to this three-year old multi-disciplinary arts organization in connection with a $450,000 capital campaign to create a contemporary arts center in a 35,000 square foot warehouse in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle.
Henry Art Gallery (September 1999 – November 2001) From September 1999 – July 2001, I served as Director of Curatorial Affairs, one of four department heads providing administrative, managerial and financial oversight of the operations of the Henry Art Gallery, the University of Washington’s center for contemporary art, design and visual culture. From August to November 2001, served as an interim director for the Museum’s External Affairs Department pending the hiring of a new Department Director.
On the Boards/Behnke Center for Contemporary Performance (April 1996 – July 1999) As Managing Director, I provided administrative leadership for On the Boards, Seattle's foremost presenter of the contemporary performing arts. Primary among my accomplishments were the completion of a $4.2 million capital campaign to purchase and renovate a new, permanent home for the organization, the stabilizing of the organization’s finances, and launching of a new education program.
Brooklyn Academy of Music (February 1993 – April 1996) I served as Project Director for Artists in Action: BAM’s Visual Arts Initiative, a three-year experimental project undertaken by the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) featuring performance works-in-progress by visual artists working in collaboration with performing artists. As Project Director, I oversaw all aspects of this new program, including fundraising, marketing, and project development of the performance works-in-progress at BAM and non-profit visual arts organizations and museums.
Thread Waxing Space (January 1993 – September 1994) As Development Consultant to a new, nonprofit contemporary visual and performing arts gallery, I worked with Founder/Director Timothy Nye to design and develop a management structure and fundraising program for the organization and to establish its budgeting system.
Public Art Fund Inc. (June 1992 – September 1994) As Program Director for the MetroTech Center Public Art Program, I was responsible for the initiation of an annual program of outdoor sculpture installations in the commons area of a Downtown Brooklyn office complex, including developing program guidelines, budget and timetable, and coordination of the first exhibition of large-scale sculptures in MetroTech Center.
Sculpture Center, Inc. (June 1992 – November 1994) I worked with the Sculpture Center, a non-profit gallery devoted to the exhibition of sculpture, to design and develop an outdoor exhibition program for Roosevelt Island, including development of program guidelines, promotion plan, artist selection process, and working with artists to install the first public sculpture exhibition at Motorgate, Roosevelt Island's unique transportation complex.
Center for Book Arts, Inc. (April – June 1992) As a Development Consultant, I worked with the Board President of this non-profit center for the book to create a development program for the organization and to initiate an Artist-in-Residence book arts program at The Door, a local alternative high school.
Lower East Side Printshop, Inc. (September 1991 – April 1992) As Acting Administrative Director for this non-profit, community-based printmaking workshop, I oversaw all aspects of the organization's management while the Board of Directors engaged in a search for a new Executive Director. Developed a new organizational budget, streamlined and revised existing programs, supervised staff, and negotiated contracts with the Board of Education.
Queens Council for the Arts (September 1990 – April 1992) Working as Project Director for a consortium of cultural organizations in Flushing and Long Island City, NY, I coordinated the design and publication of two cultural tourism publications: “Flushing--A World of Choices: A Guide to the Cultural Resources of Flushing, Queens” and "Long Island City Art Loop: A Guide to the Cultural Resources of Western Queens."
Socrates Sculpture Park (March 1986 – September 1990) As Founding Administrative Director, I was responsible for establishing the Park Office, coordinating exhibitions, publicity, and community outreach programs, fundraising and other administrative tasks. Socrates Sculpture Park, located in Long Island City, NY was created in 1985 by sculptor Mark di Suvero to provide an ongoing exhibition space for large-scale, outdoor sculptures.
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
2024 Member, Kingston Common Council, representing Ward 1
2023-present Member, Board of Directors, Kingston Midtown Arts District
2020-21 Co-Chair, Beacon Main Street Access Committee
2019 Graduate, Interim Executive Director Training, Support Center for Nonprofit Management/New York
2016-2019 Member, Board of Directors, Museum Association of New York
2015-2019 Member, Regents Advisory Council for Museums, NYS Board of Regents/State Education Department
Chair, SUNY Council of Museum and Gallery Directors
Member, Board of Trustees, Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society
2011-2014 Member, Board of Directors, Greater Hudson Heritage Network
2008-2013 Member, Beacon City Council, representing the Fourth Ward
2006-2009 Chair, City of Beacon 2009 Quadricentennial Committee
2005-2007 Member, City of Beacon Transportation Linkages Advisory Committee
2005-2007 Chair, City of Beacon Comprehensive Plan Committee
2005-2007 Member, City of Beacon Harbor Advisory Committee
2005 Graduate, Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program sponsored by Pace Land Use Law Center
2004-2008 President, Beacon Arts Community Association, Beacon, NY
2002-2004 Secretary and Board Member, Beacon Arts Community Association, Beacon, NY
1999-2001 Member, Board of Directors, Sand Point Arts & Cultural Exchange (SPACE), Seattle, WA
1991-96 Member, Board of Directors, Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City, NY
1992-96 President, HERESIES Magazine Collective, New York, NY
1992-95 Member, Board of Directors, Lower East Side Printshop, Inc., New York, NY
1991-1996 Member, Advisory Committee, Hunts Point Sculpture Park, Bronx, NY
1978 Founding Board Member, Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition