Service and support for nonprofit organizations 

Based in New York's Hudson Valley since 2009, independent consultant Mona Z. Smith provides nonprofit organizations with a broad range of affordable services including fund and board development; strategic communications, marketing and social media; prospect research and grants management; program research and development; event management; and curriculum development for arts education. 

Smith specializes in helping emerging arts organizations build capacity, but she also works with education institutions, environmental groups, and youth development nonprofits. Clients include:

  • Hudson Highlands Land Trust (NY)

  • The Philipstown Depot Theatre (NY)

  • The College of Westchester (NY)

  • College of Westchester Community Foundation (NY)

  • Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (NY)

  • Kingsborough Community College/CUNY (NYC)

  • Mainspring Arts Cooperative (NY and MN)

  • Mark Morris Dance Group (NYC)

  • Paramount Hudson Valley Arts (NY)

  • Paramount Theater (NY)

  • Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon (NY)

  • ETHEL’s Foundation for the Arts (NYC)

  • Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival (NYC)

  • Issue Project Room (NYC)

  • Lanai Road School (L.A.)

With over 25 years of experience as an arts administrator in New York City and the Hudson Valley, Smith offers clients a wealth of skills and expertise. Her previous full-time positions in New York City included:

Executive Director, Performing Arts & Special Events, City University of New York/Kingsborough Community College, Brooklyn, NY (2006 - 2009). Launched Lively Arts & Ideas, a year-round series of cultural and educational programs in all three of the college’s state-of-the-art performance venues, including a 415-seat performing arts center; a 3,000-seat outdoor band shell; and an oceanfront conference center. Programming included music, theater, dance, lectures, and a best-selling author series. Responsible for all aspects of production: financial management, event management, marketing, engagement and fundraising.

Manager, Adult Education and Outreach Programs, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY (2000 - 2006). Curated and produced over 600 public programs and performances each year including First Saturdays, the acclaimed free monthly after-hours program that became a national model for arts outreach  (up to 80,000 annual attendance). Produced Open, a two-day event featuring 80 public programs and performances by 400 artists (31,000 attendance). Managed training program for 80+ volunteer docents and a pre-professional 10-month internship program.

Director, Cultural Tourism & Events, BRIC/Brooklyn Info & Culture, Brooklyn, NY (1997 - 2000). Manager of the Brooklyn Tourism Council, promoting Brooklyn as a cultural tourism destination. Produced the borough’s flagship cultural tourism event, Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival (250,000 average annual attendance), featuring continuous music and dance performances on three outdoor stages plus exhibits by more than 300 community-based arts organizations.

For more information or to request a CV, contact: mona@monazsmith.com