Alison DiDonato

Development Associate, Arts Council of Princeton

Course: MA Arts Management, Policy and Practice, Full-Time, 2014-15

During the MA Arts Management, Policy, and Practice course I was able to gain broader knowledge and significant practical experience, particularly during my work placement at nonprofit In Place of War (IPOW). The work placement involved drafting project grant proposals, developing arts education curriculum and sustainability plans, and helping plan fundraising events.

In addition to this experience, I learned about business practice in the New Business Strategies for the Arts module, researched financial sustainability and social impact in small creative enterprises for my dissertation, and volunteered for all types of arts events and organizations in Manchester. Due to all of this working knowledge, I was able to join nonprofit organization Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) as its Development Associate.  

As the Development Associate, I am responsible to maintaining the organization's development calendar, including foundation grant and corporate sponsorship proposals, fundraising events, and bi-annual mailing campaigns. ACP is an inspiring organization that offers a vast number of arts classes to all ages, organizes city-wide events and festivals, and provides free services and scholarships to the community's less fortunate. And, it's full of crazy, creative people that I learn from every day.

My experience in Manchester allowed me to understand and explore the creative fabric of a city. I gained invaluable practical skills, great friends, and am now able to work toward spreading arts in my community in a meaningful way.