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Kelsey McGrath

Multi-Hyphenated Creative

In September 2024, I started working at the Field Museum in their Institutional Advancement department as their Leadership Annual Giving Manager. This role has been a highlight and DREAM of my career! I’m so grateful to work at a large capacity organization that aligns with my personal values and in a role that deeply hones my skills and strengths.

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Bramble Theatre Company

In the Summer of 2024, I worked as the Director of Development for Bramble Theatre Company. There, I developed and implemented fundraising strategies to create and meet organizational goals, including a community engaged goal alignment structure and plan. I also managed and activated a successful virtual auction campaign and Festival of Unfinished Work reception, resulting in increased donations and community partner engagement. I researched, recommended and implemented donor and ticketing software and technology tools to streamline foundational operations and improve efficiency. One of my proudest accomplishments was successfully planning and producing a sold out season announcement event for Bramble’s first full season in their new home. Working with Bramble was an excellent opportunity to activate the education I’d acquired from Northwestern in addition to my work as a consultant. I was so excited and grateful to lead this hungry group of artists in the beautiful space, the Bramble Arts Loft.

BLVE Consults

From 2019-2023, I worked with Brian Loevner at BLVE Consults, a boutique nonprofit firm that works with small and mid-sized arts and culture organizations. I began working with Brian as his part-time assistant in 2019. By 2022, I was BLVE’s first full time employee outside of its founder; my title was Supporting Consultant and Lead Project Manager. Following my departure to focus on grad school, I continued to work with BLVE as a freelance Collaborating Consultant.

At BLVE, I coordinated and managed multiple projects simultaneously, collaborating with a teams of consultants and various clients, successfully delivering all assignments on time and within budget. My proudest achievement was when I established and executed a comprehensive grant writing strategy that secured over $600,000 in funding for Teatro Vista, resulting in the wildly successful production of 2 new plays and increased community engagement. I also assisted with their nationwide Artistic Director search, project managing internal and external communications and helping with leadership integration and institutional knowledge. I’m a huge fan of Teatro Vista’s work and still support them as a monthly donor and audience member!

My time with BLVE was pivotal to my professional career. I was given the opportunity to engage with arts administration roles and practices that aligned with my personal values and defied the status quo of conventional nonprofit operations. The pandemic, in particular, was a significant time to facilitate organizational change that centered process and people over product.

Masters of Science In Leadership For Creative Enterprises (MSLCE)

Northwestern University, Class of 2024

I began my MSLCE program in the Fall of 2022 as a part time student while I worked as a full time consultant with BLVE. I quickly learned that focussing on my studies full time worked best for my capacity. I then finished the program in Spring 2024 and graduated at the end of Summer 2024.

During my time with MSLCE, I collaborated with NU’s prestigious Theatre Department as an actor in Sweat and later, as an independent study student. There, I developed undergraduate curricula marrying my experience as an arts professional and MSLCE learning under the mentorship of Tony Award nominated artist KO and director Tor Campbell.

I completed my Master’s Thesis in the Summer of 2023. It’s entitled “Immersive, Story-Driven Experiences: How Story and Environment Design Inspire Engagement,” where I researched the burgeoning industry of immersive, story-driven entertainment.