A brand new position on the leadership team, working closely on strategic visioning and implementation, at the UW–Madison Division of the Arts has been hired: Samara Frame is the Advancement Manager. As part of the leadership team, Samara will work on strategic visioning and implementation.
“We are thrilled to welcome Samara to the Division of the Arts leadership team,” says Kate Hewson, Division of the Arts Associate Director. She continues, “We look forward to how she will shape the future of our organization with the new skills, experience, and energy she brings. Samara will be integral to fulfilling our mission to advocate for, connect, and elevate the arts at UW–Madison.”
The Advancement Manager will manage and execute the Arts Division’s advancement strategy, overseeing development and fundraising in support of strategic goals. They will work to increase the impact of the Arts Division’s programs and of all the arts at UW–Madison. The Advancement Manager serves on the Leadership Team, working closely on strategic visioning and implementation. They will also serve key roles in the Arts Division’s creative research funding programs.
Samara Frame is thrilled to join the team at UW–Division of the Arts, bringing a background of development and engagement to the work. She comes to the arts through the world of theater, where she’s served both on stage and as an arts administrator for more than two decades. She most recently worked as Director of Audience Engagement for Forward Theater Company, where she grew authentic relationships with audiences, led fundraising events, developed partnerships, and created a robust accessibility plan. She’s also worked for United Way of Dane County and Madison Reading Project. Samara launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Dane County, served on Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission’s grant review panel and Verona’s Library Board. She has led youth empowerment programs and worked in advocacy for violence prevention and education. She currently serves on the Executive and Development Committees of Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, is a member of AFP Madison, OPEN, LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and is an active volunteer in the community. She holds a degree in Theater from Northwestern University and a certificate in fundraising from UCLA.
Please join us in welcoming the Division’s newest hires to our community! Get in touch with Samara at samara.frame@wisc.edu.