PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Over two decades I established relationships between arts and culture communities and philanthropic, governmental, and educational institutions to expand the Jazz Institute of Chicago from a grassroots organization to an influential and respected cultural institution, and as interim executive director of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic charted a path toward harnessing technology to expand its audience during a worldwide pandemic. I excel in collaborative work and process, and have a proven track record in creating long-standing programs that have helped build and strengthen communities across and beyond Chicago.
2020-2021 Chicago Jazz Philharmonic—Interim Executive Director
Served as interim leader after its founding executive director departed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed all work online, including artists’ residencies in Chicago Public Schools; the creation of a high school youth council; an international improvisation workshop for high school youth in Chicago and across Latin America; a monthly podcast series, an interactive gala that raised a record amount of revenue and the online conversion of other CJP programs.
2018 -2019 Jazz Institute of Chicago—Director of Artistic Collaborations
After stepping down from my position as Executive Director in 2018 I continued my service for one year in order to ensure a smooth leadership transition. I coordinated artistic planning and execution for the JazzCity free concert series, the Chicago Latin Jazz Festival, the Jazz Institute’s 50th Anniversary celebration, Straight Ahead Jazz Camp and the Water Colors free concert series at Navy Pier.
1996 -2018 Jazz Institute of Chicago—Executive Director
As Executive Director I had primary responsibility for the accomplishment of the Jazz Institute’s organizational and programmatic goals and objectives, including Board governance and support; executive leadership and management; program development and management; financial development and management; human resource development and management; information management; administrative operations , marketing and external relations.
LEADERSHIP
Convened Chicago’s jazz education providers and Chicago Public School jazz band teachers to establish the Chicago Alliance for Jazz Educators to coordinate opportunities and respective resources to benefit students citywide
Created and convened the Chicago Jazz Network to collectively address gaps in support for the Chicago’s Jazz community
Created initiatives to support and advance women artists including the Women in Jazz Leadership Initiative and the Women of the New Jazz and Women of Chicago Jazz Festivals
Participated in The Boeing Company’s convening of members of Chicago’s philanthropic community and arts leaders to develop an instrument to measure the impact of the arts across all sectors
Collaborated with a cohort of funders at the request of the Donnelley Foundation to create Roadmap to Collaboration, a discourse between foundations and not for profit arts organizations
Received the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Jazz Leadership Award of $225,000
STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
Quintupled the Jazz Institute’s organizational budget
Expanded staff from one FTE to 4 FTE and 5 PTE
Helped cultivate the Board of Directors to ensure long term sustainability
Cultivated and maintained $500,000 in annual support from 15 local and national foundations, government agencies and corporations
Increased individual giving through membership development, annual gala and end of year ask
Partnered with Boston Consulting Group to develop new revenue generating strategies for the Jazz Institute
Participated in the Chicago Community Trust’s Smart Growth Program 2007-2009
Selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies to attend DeVos Institute of Arts Management Training
Selected by the Prince Charitable Trusts to participate in FMA Financial Management Training
Developed Fiscal Policies and Procedures Manual
EDUCATION PROGRAMMING
Developed an array of education programs under the title Jazz Links, through an ongoing collaboration with Chicago Public School Jazz Band teachers that began in 2002
Developed ongoing Jazz Links Artists Residencies in Chicago Public Schools
Created monthly Jazz Links Jam Sessions for elementary and high school students
Developed Jazz Links Student Council to advance leadership skills by providing real-life experience and training for professional careers in music
Cultivated the Jazz Links Teachers Advisory Council which assisted in designing and presenting professional development workshops , seminars and conferences and for educator-peers
Developed Straight Ahead Jazz Camp for educators, college students and jazz enthusiasts in partnership with Columbia College Chicago 2009-2018
Created Kiewit-Wang Mentorship Awards to build lasting relationships between young and veteran artists
ARTISTIC COLLABORATIONS
Developed Jazz City, a 22-year + partnership with the Chicago Park District that presents Chicago’s jazz artists in free concerts in neighborhoods across the city
Curated artistic programming for cultural institutions including the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chicago History Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry and Navy Pier
At the City’s request, co-created and curated the 11-year commission-based jazz series Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz presented in Millennium Park
Established collaborations with Banlieues Bleues and Sons D’Hiver jazz festivals in France
Developed Made in Chicago Festival in partnership with Estrada Poznanska in Poznan, Poland, which brought over 200 Chicago artists to Poland over 12 years
Served on the Chicago Jazz Festival Curatorial Committee for 35 years; expanded the footprint of the festival to include youth stage, artist residencies, neighborhood parks and collaborations with local presenters
Developed 2-year program in collaboration with Young Chicago Authors to create a dialog between young students in jazz and hip hop communities
PHOTOGRAPHY
I have been photographing creative improvised music since 1979, including for the duration of my arts leadership career. I have created, published and exhibited photographic work, mounted exhibitions throughout the U.S. and Europe and published in books, magazines and record labels in the U.S., Europe, Russia and Asia. My advocacy and activism for the art form grew through the relationships I cultivated as an artist within the community in Chicago and beyond. Laurendeutschphoto.com
Panels and Lectures
2019 National Endowment for the Arts Grants review
2019 New Music America Grants Review
2017 and 2018 Tangible Sound – Multi-media lecture on translating music into visual equivalents presented at Hyde Park Jazz Festival (2017) and Straight Ahead Jazz Camp (2018)
2015, 2017, 2018 Introduction to Arts Leadership DePaul University- Panel discussion with Arts Leaders in Chicago
2015 Roadmap to Collaboration Donors Forum-New thinking about building trusting relationships between donors and social purpose organizations
2014 Chamber Music America Grants review
2014 Boeing Arts Work Group-Arts and philanthropy leaders collaborate to determine the best way to measure impact across all arts and education fields
2013, 2018 Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Artist Awards review panel
2013 The Power of Photography Chicago Alliance of African American Photographers
2008 Department of Cultural Affairs Grants review
2012 Illinois Arts Council Grants Review
2011 and 2013 One Language of Art –A lecture demonstration co-led with Mwata Bowden, Director of Jazz Ensembles at the University of Chicago, examining parallel processes in graphic notation and improvisation in music and visual art presented to South Suburban School District Arts and Music educators (2011) and Chicago Jazz Festival (2013)
2011 National Endowment for the Arts Grants review
1983-1992 Co-Owner, Salsedo Press
A worker-owned printing co-op founded in 1969, Salsedo Press operated as a collective. Its clientele was primarily small not-for-profit organizations and progressive small business owners. I worked in photo lithography, bindery, graphic design and film assembly, and developed and successfully executed sales strategies that significantly increased revenue and reach.
1977-1979 Photographer/Artistic Director of Photography, Artists-in-Residence Program (CETA)
The Artists-in-Residence Program was the largest federally funded arts program since the WPA. In Chicago it helped build the Chicago Council on Fine Arts, the first municipal arts agency in Chicago. The artist-directed, program linked dancers, visual artists, actors and musicians with City and social service agencies. I served as documentary photographer for the program, and as Director of Photography, developed and administered projects for seven photographers.
EDUCATION
1975-1978 Columbia College Chicago
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
2018 Jazz Visionary Award –Jazz Institute of Chicago
2017 3Arts - Make a Wave Award
2016 Live the Spirt – Community Service Award
2015 Chicago Jazz Philharmonic – Inaugural Think Big Award
2014 DuSable Museum of African American History - Timeless Woman
2012 Hyde Park Jazz Society - James Wagner Community Service Award
2008 Jazz Journalists Association - A-Team Award
2007 Chicago Jazz Ensemble - Outstanding Cultural Contributions Award
2005 Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians; -Community Service Award
2003 Chicagoan of the Year, Chicago Tribune
2001 Nominated for "Excellence in Photography" Jazz Journalists Association
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
2013-Present: Board Member, Asian Improv Arts Midwest
1992 and 1994 Co–produced two Women of the New Jazz Festivals
1981 Co-produced From Bessie to Billie to Now, a festival of women in music
1978-1985 Co-founded Women with Wings, a women’s radio collective that produced a weekly radio show highlighting women for 8 years on WZRD at Northeastern Illinois University.