Now + There is pleased to announce and welcome Laura Paul as the organization’s first full-time Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development. Paul hit the ground running, starting work at N+T on May 14. She will work closely with Now + There Executive Director Kate Gilbert to build and strengthen the organization’s base of philanthropic support across individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners. The goal is to launch a multi-year fundraising plan in 2018 that will deliver the resources required to realize a portfolio of 45 public art projects by 2022.
Paul’s work in development has included fundraising strategy and planning, proposal development, grant writing and reporting, and working with leadership, staff, and boards on prospect development and donor cultivation. As a member of the senior staff at the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) from 2001 to 2015, Paul took on a number of roles including Interim Co-Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, she was Director of the Center for the Arts at Wesleyan University, where she oversaw programming in music, dance, theater, and the visual arts. Paul holds an A.B. from Vassar College and an M.B.A. from the School of Management of Simmons College.
Paul's position is made possible by a generous capitalization gift from the Lewis Family Foundation which believes that our communities grow stronger through artistic expression.
"With Laura's appointment, we're adding strategic and development capacity to the Now + There staff and executing on our recent planning process,” stated Kate Gilbert, Executive Director. There is a strong demand for public art in Boston and an appetite among foundations and philanthropists to support our vision to make Boston a public art city.”
“Temporary public art has the power to spark both positive disruption and connection with others around questions and ideas we all share,” stated Paul. “I am incredibly excited to be taking on this role with Now +There to support partnerships and philanthropic giving at what I see as a really dynamic time for the arts in Boston and its neighborhoods.”
Paul joins the staff at N+T which includes Maddie Doctor, Operations and Development Coordinator, Barbara Quiroga, PR consultant; and Mary Liz Murray, Digital Strategy and Content consultant.