Proficient in Adobe Suites (Premiere, Encore, Photoshop, InDesign, Bridge, Media Encoder, Illustrator), MS Office, GSuite, Google Drive, Google Analytics, Dropbox, Quicktime, ProTools, Audacity, Final Cut Pro, Zoom, Google Meet
Mercedes Inez Martinez
Arts Administrator - Manager / Teaching Artist / Performer
Chicago,IL
Summary
Bilingual individual with demonstrated leadership and strong staff oversight and development skills. Astute arts coordinator and manager offering extensive research in cultural arts, arts education, grant writing and marketing with strong communication skills. Intelligent Social Services Director with budget monitoring and program oversight expertise. Enthusiastic professional with more than13 years of working in cultural arts programming in Chicago communities.
Overview
55
55
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Language
Work History
Teaching Artist / Performer / Manager
Son Monarcas Ensemble
Chicago, IL
08.2012 - Current
- Manage, Perform and Teach with Son Monarcas Ensemble which is a Latin Folk Fusion ensemble comprised of original bilingual compositions and traditional music from Latin America
- Teach voice, guitar, piano, accordion, jarana jarocha, percussion & zapateado (dance). Perform at concert halls, schools, museums, Chicago Parks and libraries. Perform educational programs for audiences of all ages and give workshops in music, dance, art and theatre as a member of Son Monarcas Ensemble. Performed concerts/workshops in USA, Mexico, Central/South America
- Chicago highlights: Millennium Park, Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago Cultural Center, UIC, Loyola Chicago, UofC, SIC, Double Door, Teatro Luna, Martyrs, Night out in the Parks. USA highlight : Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
- Created and delivered lessons through distance, virtual and face-to-face learning and fulfilled requirements of district's curriculum program.
- Plan concerts yearly and market concerts to students, parents and general public.
- Scored compositions for film with instrumental and vocal capabilities.
- Contributed to creative process through original ideas and inspiration.
- Presented concepts, copy and art during internal and client reviews.
- Implemented artistic vision to give art purpose and meaning.
- Researched grant and funding proposal opportunities in philanthropic databases to identify potential income sources.
- Collected information on existing programs to demonstrate cohesive and sustainable organization to funders.
- Wrote, reviewed and edited proposals for grants, gifts and contracts.
- Prepared and submitted grant applications to corporate organizations, private foundations and to solicit grant monies for organization.
- Tracked in-process and previously submitted grant applications to obtain status updates.
- Developed impactful grant applications to enhance organization's potential for funding awards.
- Gained familiarity with organization's operational and financial challenges and opportunities to improve grant writing knowledge base.
- Oversaw grants, volunteers and risk management related to performing arts programs.
- Preserved branding standards of assigned accounts.
- Carefully prepared design layouts into prepress files for offset, web and digital printing.
- Fostered highly communicative, collaborative team culture on visual product projects.
- Oversaw hiring, training and direction of creative personnel to achieve optimal results.
Teaching Artist / Manager / Performer
Urban Gateways
Chicago, IL
05.2013 - Current
- Educational Program :“FANDANGO!” -Perform in educational presentations called “Fandango!” which included traditional Mexican music and dance from a vibrant blend of many different cultures.Included musicians and dancers of the band Tarima Son as they explored the Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences on the rhythms, movement, & melodies of Mexico
- Managed Nahui Ollin -Aztec Dance. Perform in the educational Program: “Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico”- Experience the living tradition of Mesoamerica with Nahui Ollin as they present the pre-Hispanic traditions of central Mexico. Vibrant and active, the dancers' movements represent and honor elements in nature.Both ritualistic and spiritualistic, program highlights include authentic attire and indigenous music instrumentation, traditional songs, dances and stories
- Develop creative and diverse programming and established and promoted opportunities for inspiring arts education.
- Managed client relationships and expectations for creative projects with varying budgets and objectives.
- Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
- Established and maintained innovative partnerships among community and regional organizations.
- Supported artist goals with corresponding action plans and timelines.
- Managed portfolio of developing and established accounts to provide clients with strategic guidance.
- Developed contacts with individuals and organizations, applying effective strategies and techniques to promote client success.
Artistic & Managing Director
MAGI Cultural Art Center
Chicago, IL
05.2012 - 12.2021
- Teach guitar, piano, voice, percussion, jarana jarocha, and zapateado (dance) through different sessions as a member of Son Monarcas ensemble at MAGI and various surrounding schools and parks
- Reference websites: www.sonmonarcas.com & www.magi-cac.org
- Created arts organization's seasonal performance and exhibition program and selected performers and artists for upcoming events.
- Contributed to creative process through original ideas and inspiration.
- Directed day-to-day business operations and made strategic decisions to further organizational goals and fiscal objectives.
- Developed targeted marketing and sales strategies to promote successful organizational and artistic outcomes.
- Established and maintained productive, professional working relationships to promote beneficial project results.
- Established and maintained innovative partnerships among community and regional organizations.
- Developed creative and diverse programming and established and promoted opportunities for inspiring arts education.
- Oversaw grants, volunteers and risk management related to performing arts programs and managed state licensing, concessions and bar operations.
- Fostered highly communicative, collaborative team culture on visual product projects.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Managed client relationships and expectations for creative projects with varying budgets and objectives.
Teaching Artist
Pulse Beat Music
Chicago, IL
09.2013 - 11.2021
- Teach general music in various CPS schools K-12
- Including a continued 3 year residency with John
- Barry Elementary where I have been teaching over 700 students grades K-6th
- Acted as the main music teacher for the entire school, managing concerts with over 250+ students presenting at each recital.
- Developed lesson plans surrounding various types of art, history and culture.
- Facilitated group sessions and provided one-on-one support.
- Modeled interpersonal relationships with staff members, students and administrators and strived to enhance student learning and well being.
- Prepared and gathered materials for detailed lesson plans.
- Created and delivered lessons through distance, virtual and face-to-face learning and fulfilled requirements of district's curriculum program.
- Planned and executed activities to promote skill and talent development.
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating children's literature from world cultures.
- Met with parents to resolve conflicting educational priorities and issues.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
Teaching Artist
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
Chicago, IL
08.2014 - 05.2020
- Teach guitar and Latin/World percussion to 9th-12th graders at Cristo Rey High School
- Founded the music program alongside Son Monarcas partner Roberto Irekani Chavez (violin/guitar) by dually teaching guitar and violin to the groups of students simultaneously.
- Familiarized students with basic concepts of music such as notes, tempo, symphony, beats, compositions and chords.
- Coached students to play various songs and jingles on piano, guitar, violin and bongo.
- Taught music appreciation, history and fundamentals to vocalists and musicians of varying skill levels.
- Oversaw student progress by reviewing performance utilizing metrics.
- Guided and oversaw music department in accomplishing educational benchmarks through curriculum planning, instruction, composition and performance.
- Created safe and inclusive classroom environment of respect and rapport to promote positive learning experience for youth with diverse backgrounds.
Arts Coordinator / Lead Teaching Artist
St. James Cathedral, City
Chicago, IL
07.2013 - 08.2019
- Taught visual art and coordinated the other teaching artists at a summer camp for under-privileged youth, housed in St. James Cathedral
- Oversaw the coordination of various teaching artists from different arts such as visual art, music, theatre, dance.
- Facilitated group sessions and provided one-on-one support.
- Modeled interpersonal relationships with staff members, students and administrators and strived to enhance student learning and well being.
- Prepared and gathered materials for detailed lesson plans.
- Planned and executed activities to promote skill and talent development.
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating children's literature from world cultures.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
Community Programs Coordinator
Edgewater Chamber Of Commerce
Chicago, IL
08.2008 - 10.2010
- Managed the programming and production of activities based in the cultural arts at a venue given to me through the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and Edgewater Artists In Motion.Taught workshops based in visual art, writing, theatre, dance, and music.
- Organized exhibitions and theatrical/musical productions at the venue.
- Conducted community workshops to promote different programs and educate public on available services.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
Production Coordinator
Edgewater Chamber of Commerce
Chicago, IL
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Booked and organized performance (music, theatre, dance) and visual artists for multiple out door art festivals called “Third Saturdays” for the Chamber throughout the summer.
- Performed music, exhibited and sold art work at the festivals in addition to my role as coordinator.
Activity Program Coordinator
Eden Assisted Living Center
El Paso, Tx
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Created activity programming for elderly based in the arts at an NPO status assisted living center
- Implemented a new activity program for caregivers and senior citizens by training 20 new community instructors and partnering with the local housing authority to establish free monthly
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre Arts, Voice/Psychology/Studio Art
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL 08.2007 - 06.2011
Skills
Organization and Time Management
Vendor and contract negotiations
Budget development
Branding
Database Management
Marketing and advertising
Staff Management
Market Analysis
Vendor relationship management
Project Management
Cross-functional communication
Operations management
Strategic planning
Scheduling and calendar management
Software
Timeline
Teaching Artist
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
08.2014 - 05.2020
Teaching Artist
Pulse Beat Music
09.2013 - 11.2021
Arts Coordinator / Lead Teaching Artist
St. James Cathedral, City
07.2013 - 08.2019
Teaching Artist / Manager / Performer
Urban Gateways
05.2013 - Current
Teaching Artist / Performer / Manager
Son Monarcas Ensemble
08.2012 - Current
Artistic & Managing Director
MAGI Cultural Art Center
05.2012 - 12.2021
Production Coordinator
Edgewater Chamber of Commerce
01.2009 - 01.2011
Community Programs Coordinator
Edgewater Chamber Of Commerce
08.2008 - 10.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre Arts, Voice/Psychology/Studio Art
Loyola University Chicago
08.2007 - 06.2011
Activity Program Coordinator
Eden Assisted Living Center
01.2006 - 01.2008