About

Shoshana Fanizza has been in arts management for over 13 years and has worked with non-profits for over 18 years. She has been involved in the arts all her life (horn, piano, Thespian, choir, voice and dance lessons, puppets, art and jazz history classes, film enthusiast) and has a background in marketing, sales, public relations, and customer service. Shoshana is the founder of Audience Development Specialists and is the main audience development consultant. She is also the author of the eBook The How of Audience Development for the Arts: Learn the Basics, Create Your Plan. After attending several arts marketing conferences, seminars and workshops, and being a part of the Boulder County Arts Alliance’s 2006 Audience Development Initiative, it has come to her attention that several experts define audience development, but do not show how to implement. She is now rolling up her sleeves to work with artists and arts organizations to design solution based audience development plans and projects.

From 2005-2007, she was the Marketing and PR Director for the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. It was at this position that she began using audience development in addition to marketing. During her tenure, Shoshana built relationships and sold out Macky Auditorium’s 2,000+ seat house, and house totals were increased by an average of 25-30% per concert. She developed their volunteer incentive program, expanded the marketing and publicity program, and was a primary team member in their fundraising, special events, and corporate sponsorship program. Some of her other positions have included Founder of the Celebration Brass Quintet in Chicago and Marketing Director of the Chicago Brass Choir. She has been blessed to work with a variety of talented and quality artists/organizations: clients. After working with ADS, all of her clients have enjoyed more positive people energy surrounding their art. On average, Shoshana’s audience development techniques have resulted in a growth rate of 30-50% for audience numbers and monetary support, and she has never left a meeting or phone session without at least one “great idea!”

Shoshana has presented audience development seminars and workshops for the Boulder County Arts Alliance, Portland Piano International, Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra, and the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System. She has presented at the National Arts Marketing Project Conference in 2011, 2012, and is slated for 2013.

Shoshana has a vision to help the arts by creating and implementing solutions that work. She is an idea person, and her enthusiasm is contagious! She desires to work with artists and arts organizations that are ready for the opportunities that audience development offers.

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