A growing foundation dedicated to promoting increased access and equity in arts education for NYC’s public school students
- The Arthur Miller Foundation for Theater and Film Education believes that arts education is a right of every New York City public school student. To honor the legacy of Arthur Miller and his NYC public school education, the Foundation is committed to promoting increased access and equity to theater arts education in our schools and to increasing the number of students receiving theater arts education as an integral part of their academic curriculum. We believe that if arts education assumes its rightful place in the NYC public school curriculum, we will foster generations of imaginative graduates, enhancing the evolving world of theater and other fields of human endeavor.
- The Arthur Miller Theater Education Program will provide significant mentorship, training, and support for new theater teachers, increasing the number of New York City public school students with access to dedicated theater education. In partnership with the Arts Office at the New York City Department of Education, this comprehensive program seeks to establish sustainability for theater programs in schools throughout the city, reaching over 2,500 middle and high school students.
- The Arthur Miller Theater and Film Pilot Program at NYC public school, Quest to Learn (grades 6-12), was initiated to address the lack of any arts courses offered at the school. Since the Spring of 2014, we have supported this program, created in partnership with the Institute of Play, which offers theater and film academic day courses, co-taught with teaching artists from The Wooster Group and Reel Works Teen Filmmaking.
- The Arthur Miller Foundation is seeking to play a catalytic role in growing arts education in the public school system by galvanizing its administration, further activating private funding in support of arts education, and driving awareness of the myriad benefits of the arts in schools through a public campaign.→
An unprecedented New York City-based residential fellowship that supports playwrights in building their body of work and in continuing to develop their careers after their fellowship year.
- Support the founder in executing and expanding the organization’s vision.
- Led the development and launch of PoNY 2.0 for Fellowship graduates focused on the development of sustainable careers, providing Fellows with new ongoing support such as artistic partnerships with theaters, an opportunity fund, and health insurance.
- Assisted in the development and initial scaling of the Business of Art: Financial Bootcamp for Playwrights, expanding the reach to include 50 New York playwrights in partnership with the Lark Play Development Center.
- Led the infrastructure build out for PoNY, and actively support the organization by managing their day to day operations, including development efforts and financial oversight.→
Manus+Co delivers way above my expectations at every turn. Mara has the unique ability to be visionary and broad-thinking about my organization and its future, and at the same time her team manages the details flawlessly. I feel blessed to be able to work with her and her team!
– Sandi Farkas, Founder of Playwrights of New York
Multidisciplinary arts and cultural center in the heart of the Village of Southampton
- Served as the Launch Consultant for the adaptive reuse project of the former Parrish Museum site into what has become the Southampton Arts Center (SAC).
- Transitioned the Founders Committee to the first Board of Directors, supporting the creation of initial infrastructure and a Founders Circle for seed funding.
- Shepherded the organization from its conceptual infancy to its programmatic launch, spearheading SAC’s successful pilot summer programming in 2013 in partnership with the Hamptons International Film Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Goat on a Boat Puppet Theatre.
- Completed a search for SAC’s first permanent, full-time Director, Michele Thompson, and successfully facilitated her integration into the Southampton community.→
Mara has been an excellent partner as the Founding Board has worked to establish Southampton Arts Center. She has stepped forward at every challenge, operating decisively to ensure the project moves along and deadlines are met. She is highly capable in many areas from program management to staffing decisions. Finally, she is a pleasure to work with — with her persistence and humor, she has been an integral part of this entrepreneurial effort.
– Whitney Stevens, Board Chair of Southampton Arts Center
World-renowned modern dance company engaging in collaborative creation, performance and education
- At a critical juncture in the influential dance company’s evolution, Manus+Co led the founders’ transition, organizational development and capacity building for the next era of Pilobolus.
- Assessed the organization’s senior leadership, staffing structure, vision and obstacles, and helped maximize communication, efficiency and clarity of mission among the staff and board members. Further work included strategic planning with a specifically designated board sub-committee.→
Pilobolus has had the distinct pleasure of working with Mara Manus, first on capacity building during a period of critical growth, and then on strategic planning. Mara brings a wisdom and expertise gained from years in the field. Able to listen to client needs and to customize her approach to planning, Manus is an excellent facilitator of diverse voices. Pilobolus’s internal infrastructure, and leadership/stakeholder alignment have all been significantly advanced thanks to the work of Manus+Co.
– Lily Binns + Itamar Kubovy, Director of Development and Executive Producer
A visionary organization working at the intersection of finance and sustainable agriculture
- Worked with Slow Money to identify their organizational needs, ultimately leading the recruitment and onboarding process in partnership with Strugatz Ventures for the newly created position of Director of Development.
- Assisted in expanding Slow Money’s revenue channels and growing the base of the organization’s donor community.→
