Marissa Shadburn

About Marissa Shadburn

I design and lead arts-based initiatives that expand access to creative opportunity while strengthening the role of arts institutions in their communities.I am a program strategist with experience developing and implementing arts education and community-engaged initiatives that leverage arts and design to advance social impact. My work focuses on building programs, partnerships, and infrastructure that support artists, expand community access to creative resources, and connect cultural programming with broader civic and community goals.Currently, I lead the implementation of Pratt Institute’s first prison education initiative in fashion design in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, one of the first programs of its kind in the United States. This work reflects my broader commitment to expanding who has access to creative education and ensuring that cultural institutions play a meaningful role in advancing opportunity and equity.Across my work, I bring a collaborative leadership style and a deep belief in the power of arts and culture to shape more equitable communities.Areas of focus: cultural programming, community-engaged arts, arts education initiatives, creative workforce pathways, institutional partnerships, and program strategy.

Experience

1. Academic Program Manager

   Pratt Institute School Of Continuing And Professional Studies

   May 2023 — Present · NY, US

   Lead student initiatives across adult continuing education initiatives while developing new programs that expand access to creative education and strengthen community partnerships.• Lead the launch and implementation of Pratt’s first prison education initiative in fashion design (EMCF Design Studio), developed in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, expanding access to vocational and creative education for formerly incarcerated women.• Manage student, academic, and operational needs across the SCPS NonCredit certificate program portfolio (60+ courses per term;~200 students; 40+ instructors).• Analyze enrollment and revenue performance across NonCredit programs to inform course scheduling, program planning, and strategy.• Develop and manage program budgets and financial administration in collaboration with SCPS financial services.• Established and lead the SCPS Student Exhibition, an annual showcase supporting student portfolio development and strengthening collaboration across SCPS academic programs.• Partner with the Academic Director, SCPS leadership, and faculty to shape continuing education programming using enrollment data and stakeholder feedback to guide course offerings and program development.• Built SCPS’s first prospective student communications pipeline, developing a 1,500+ subscriber mailing list to support recruitment and audience development.

Education

• Edward R Murrow High School

  High School, Studio Theater and Choral Music

  2007 — 2011

• Pratt Institute

  Master's degree, Arts and Cultural Management

• Bard College

  Bachelor’s Degree, Theater and Performance

  2011 — 2015

• University of Pennsylvania

  Certificate, Executive Program in Arts and Culture Strategy

Skills

• Microsoft Office
• Social Media
• Google Suite
• Public Speaking
• Team Building
• Management
• Musical Theatre
• Event Planning
• Research
• Art Education
• Theatre
• Performance
• Nonprofits
• Musical Theater
• Performing Arts
• Microsoft Word
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Dramaturgy
• Teaching
• Directing
• Arts Education
• Leadership
• Editing