James Hansen
Corning,NY
Summary
Versatile Executive Director focused on promoting mission and increasing effectiveness of key programs. Passionate about community and collaboration. Pragmatic decision-maker possessing first-rate communication and organizational skills. Recognized for successfully collaborating with management to develop work plans, brand sustainability, viability, and strategic growth.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Co-Founder (with Eric Souther), Curator, and Project Manager
Light Matter Film Festival
06.2021 - Current
- Co-founded successful experimental film and media arts initiative, securing financial support and brand visibility through international, national, and local partnerships
- Established and maintained a global network of artists, curators, and local community members to promote and enhance the festival's experimental artists-centered ethos
- Expanded educational programming by leading festival talkbacks, events, etc.
- Served as the festival's public face, delivering lectures, conducting artist Q&As, etc.; managed social media (Instagram) and conducted personal networking to expand the festival's reach and impact
- Implemented innovative marketing strategies to build international interest, resulting in 200% increase in submissions between years one and two; designed Light Matter website (with Souther) and was responsible updating and maintaining festival website
- Secured annual funding through collaborating with University leaders, NYSCC and School of Art and Design's Dean's Office, and Institute for Electronic Arts
- Developed cross-curricular programming through public lectures and a forthcoming gallery exhibition
- Expanded impact by curating new traveling programs to screen across the US (New York, Chicago, Santa Fe); established ongoing partnerships with arts organizations in South America (Quito and Buenos Aires)
- Managed and personally conducted all aspects of festival planning and preparation with artists, university administration & staff; coordinated marketing with local businesses and lead community outreach; supervised interns, screening committee, and outside consultants while managing multiple tasks and deadlines.
Assistant Professor of Art History (Contemporary Art & New Media)
New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University
07.2019 - Current
- Published peer-reviewed articles/essays, artist's interviews, exhibition/film reviews, book reviews on contemporary art, experimental film, video, media art, etc.; received significant internal grants to fund research to film/media archives in Ecuador
- Transformed the modern and contemporary art curriculum by shifting away from canonical Western/European art toward global contemporary art with an intersectional emphasis on BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists and communities; designed and developed online learning experiences informed by professional development courses on Universal Design, equity, and accessibility
- Served as Chair of the Gallery Committee for three years, leading the selection and facilitation of exhibitions at the Fosdick Nelson Gallery.
- Mentored and advised students on projects exploring intersections of art, technology, and society
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art History
Oberlin College
07.2017 - 06.2019
- Secondary advisor on three Honors Thesis projects
- Curated public film programs each semester, including educational discussions after each screening, including a three-program retrospective and traveling series of Luther Price's early Super-8mm films
- Taught the first Experimental Film & Media Art History course in the Art program.
University Fellow (2010-11) and Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant (2011-17)
The Ohio State University
08.2010 - 05.2017
Museum Educator
Museum of the Moving Image
01.2008 - 06.2010
Administrative Assistant
Columbia University
01.2009 - 06.2010
- Conducted archival research on early women's cinema at Academy Film Archive, contributing to the Women Film Pioneers Project
Education
Ph.D. - History of Art
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH05.2017
M.A. - History of Art
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH12.2012
M.A. - Film Studies
Columbia University
New York, NY02.2009
B.A. - Film
Webster University
St. Louis, MO05.2007
Skills
- Community Engagement
- Program Management
- Strategic Planning
- Public Speaking
- Inclusive Leadership
- Innovation and Creativity
- Marketing
- Fundraising
- Grant Writing
- Media Relations
- Diversity training
- Cross-cultural collaboration
Additional Information
Publications, Presentations/Lectures, and Professional References Available upon Request
Professional Development
- Inclusive Teaching and Learning Certificate (SUNY), 2024-01-01
- Equitable Evaluation and Assessment Course
- Essential Communication Skills for Inclusive Teaching Course
- Teaching for Racial Equity Course
- Evidence-Based Teaching, Lumen's Circle (SUNY)
- SUNY Fact 2: Inclusive Teaching Webinar Series (4-Week Virtual Symposium), 2023-01-01
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Fundamentals, Lumen's Circle (SUNY), 2022-01-01
- Fundamentals of Grant Writing, University of Georgia (online course), 2022-01-01
Relevant Experience
2024 Inclusive Teaching and Learning Certificate (SUNY) (anticipated completion)
o Equitable Evaluation and Assessment Course
o Essential Communication Skills for Inclusive Teaching Course
o Teaching for Racial Equity Course
Evidence-Based Teaching, Lumen's Circle (SUNY)
2023-present Board of Advisors, New York Film-makers' Cooperative
2023-present Contributing Peer Reviewer, Arts Journal
2019-present Selection Committee(s), Media Arts & Visual Arts Residency Program(s),
Institute for Electronic Arts
2021-24 Member, College Art Association Council of Readers
2023 SUNY Fact 2: Inclusive Teaching Webinar Series (4-Week Virtual Symposium)
2022 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Fundamentals, Lumen's Circle (SUNY)
2022 Fundamentals of Grant Writing, University of Georgia (online course)
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Co-Founder (with Eric Souther), Curator, and Project Manager
Light Matter Film Festival
06.2021 - Current
Assistant Professor of Art History (Contemporary Art & New Media)
New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University
07.2019 - Current
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art History
Oberlin College
07.2017 - 06.2019
University Fellow (2010-11) and Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant (2011-17)
The Ohio State University
08.2010 - 05.2017
Administrative Assistant
Columbia University
01.2009 - 06.2010
Museum Educator
Museum of the Moving Image
01.2008 - 06.2010
Ph.D. - History of Art
The Ohio State University
M.A. - History of Art
The Ohio State University
M.A. - Film Studies
Columbia University
B.A. - Film
Webster University
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