Utilizing analytical and administrative skills honed during 15+ years as a professional leader in the field of arts education in tandem with scholarly expertise in the field of Africana Studies to serve communities. Providing creative vision and a community-centered approach to deepen and sustain the operations of institutions.
Hi, I’m
Ava Kinsey
Summary
Overview
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Brooklyn Academy Of Music (BAM)
Associate Director and Director of Education
08.2018 - Current
Job overview
- Became Director of Education in December of 2020.
- Prepared action plans to address concerns discovered through surveys, classroom observations and conversations with stakeholders.
- Oversaw development and implementation of quality social justice-aligned, culturally-responsive and trauma-informed educational programs.
- Managed and created budget of $500,000 for in-school residencies and out-of-school-time programs intended for over 1,500 participants.
- Observed Teaching Artists and participants in classrooms to gather data and improve instruction.
- Reviewed and refreshed BAM Education's Vision, Voice, Power-aligned Mission Framework curriculum with Teaching Artists and staff members to continuously improve quality of culturally-responsive, trauma-informed instruction.
- Counseled and monitored participants for attendance, academic progress and behavioral concerns.
- Evaluated programs and monitored implementation and compliance with regulations to achieve objectives.
- Conferred and resolved education-related issues and problems with students, Teaching Artists, BAM Program Managers and school officials.
- Worked closely with BAM's Development and Corporate Sponsorship Departments to secure grants and other sources of funding for educational programs and projects and drafted proposals and agreements to support proper allocation.
- Facilitated development of program structure within classrooms to formulate and implement BAM Education's Mission Framework goals.
- Implemented program-level departmental policies and procedures and managed budgets to support educational program and curriculum.
- Scheduled educational activities, faculty lectures and departmental events to drive mission and values of institution .
- Represented BAM's Education Department at meetings and conferences to serve as subject matter liaison for array of services and activities assigned.
- Planned and implemented staff development training programs to enhance knowledge and skills.
- Directed day-to-day operations of education program and supervised support staff to delegate assignments and evaluate performance.
- Developed partnerships with K-12 schools (public, private, and charter in tri-state area), businesses (Mark Morris Dance Group, MCC Theater, Girl Be Heard, and DreamYard Art Center) and organizations (Con Edison, Medgar Evers College, and Drew University) to build awareness, increase support and share artistic resources.
DreamYard Art Center (DYAC)
Associate Director and Co-Director
04.2015 - 08.2018
Job overview
- Became Co-Director in April of 2016.
- Facilitated in-service trainings, one-on-one Teaching Artist curriculum development sessions, and pedagogical facilitation support for full and part-time staff members.
- Infused curriculum with African-centered pedagogy.
- Oversaw team of ten staff members and twenty Teaching Artists.
- Supported seventeen out-of-school time programs within department.
- Served as member of DreamYard's Leadership Team meant to bring key diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives into organization.
- Oversaw budget of $200,000.
- Oversaw Art Center's Department of of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) grants and operational needs.
- Supported organization becoming aligned and licensed with Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Education
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
Master of Arts from African American Studies
08.2010
University Overview
- Thesis: Left in an Unmarked Grave: The Civil Rights and Black Power Movements in Dallas, Texas and Surrounding Cities
- Portions of thesis included in The Black Panther Party in a City Near You by Dr. Judson Jeffries
- First graduate student to defend a thesis in Temple's Department of African American Studies
Howard UniversityWashington, DC
Bachelor of Arts from Africana Studies
05.2008
University Overview
- Member of phi beta kappa, Gamma Chapter
- Elected Chairwoman of the Kwame Ture Society for Africana Studies
Skills
- MS Word Suite, Google Suite, Excel
- Restorative Justice work culture implementation
- Project management
- Curriculum coaching, development and evaluation
Additional Information
Additional Information
2023
- Megafauna: Land Dwellers Exhibit | YoungArts Gallery, Miami FL | Poetry Featured
- Besty Hotel Writing Residency | YoungArts, Miami FL
- Roxbury’s Leading Women: An Ode to the Pioneers of the Iconic Neighborhood | Playwright Commission with YoungArts and Noah Putterman
2022
- “Antioch Mass,” A Musical Ritual Workshop by Troy Anthony at Chelsea Factory | Spiritual Dramaturg
- Home: Reimagining Interiority | Poem: “Present/Past”
- “The Revival,” A Musical Ritual by Troy Anthony at The Shed NYC | Spiritual Dramaturg
- Tuscon Festival of Books Literary Finalist | Short Story: “The Learning Curve”
- YoungArts Microgrant Recipient | “The Big Tree” Virtual Staged Reading
- Presidential Scholars Foundation Seed Grant Recipient | “The Big Tree” Virtual Staged Reading
2021
- One Act Fest Finalist at The Theater Project | Play: Libae & Justina for Us All
- “The Revival” by Troy Anthony Burton at The Shed NYC | Spiritual Dramaturg
2020
- Co-founded Juneteenth Mbongi Collective Online Research Study Group
- A Gathering Together Journal | Poem: “When/Wherever You Find Her”
- A Gathering Together Journal | Creative Nonfiction: “Great-great-great Granddaughter”
- Dutch Kills Press, “Good Writing from a Bad Year” | Poem: “Past”
2018
- Judson Jeffries’ The Black Panther Party in a City Near You | Chapter: “From Civil Rights to Black Power in Texas: Dallas to Denton and Back to Dallas”
2017
- Inaugural Issue of A Gathering Together Journal | Short Story: “Full of Grace”
2016
- Frank Silvera’s 3N1 Playwright Finalist | Play: Movin’ on Up
2013
- Blackberry Literary Journal | Poem: “A Libation for Strange Fruit”
References
References
Regan Sommer McCoy
Founder & CEO of The Mixtape Museum
Senior Operations Manager at Brooklyn Academy of Music
(347) 463-3445
smccoy@bam.org
_____________________________________________________________
Dr. Joshua Myers
Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Howard University
(803) 5664-1589
joshfmyers@gmail.com
______________________________________________________________
Timeline
Associate Director and Director of Education
Brooklyn Academy Of Music (BAM)
08.2018 - Current
Associate Director and Co-Director
DreamYard Art Center (DYAC)
04.2015 - 08.2018
Temple University
Master of Arts from African American Studies
Howard University
Bachelor of Arts from Africana Studies
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