Samarem Diaz Negrete

• Skilled administrator, educator, and creative professional with extensive international experience and complete multilingual fluency (English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese).
• Combines a strong background in nonprofit operations, grant writing, production management, and financial oversight with expertise in artistic direction, design, illustration, and fabrication.
• Proven ability to lead complex, large-scale projects, cultivate strategic partnerships, lead community workshops, and design innovative arts programming that engages diverse audiences and delivers meaningful impact.
• Exceptional communicator with a passion for connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds, translating complex ideas, and advancing meaningful social impact through the arts, education, and nonprofit service.

Associate Artistic Director & General Manager

Cabinet of Curiosity • Chicago, IL

February 2025 to Present

• Manage daily company operations, including budgeting, bookkeeping, contract administration, event programming, grant management and reporting, government compliance, strategic planning, intern supervision, and operational efficiency.
• Managed complex programs and event productions from conception through completion, overseeing budgets up to $50,000, multi-month schedules, staffing, and large cross-functional teams for clients and partners including the City of Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago Park District, and Chicago Loop Alliance.
• Coordinated schedules, staff, artists, vendors, contractors, volunteers, and community partners while maintaining clear communication and resolving logistical and operational needs across multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide artistic direction and design consultation for client proposals and live theatre productions, including Kazoozapalooza: The Black Man from Macon, and Matchbook Miracles.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with community members and at-risk youth as both audiences and creative collaborators, facilitating workshops and nonprofit initiatives to strengthen community engagement and advance the organization’s mission.

Artist Mentor

Arts of Life • Chicago, IL

February 2025 to Present

• Build trusting, respectful relationships with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, adapting communication and individualized support to each person's needs, preferences, and communication style.
• Provide individualized mentorship to studio artists across varied media, while fostering autonomy, professional growth, creative independence, and a safe, inclusive environment grounded in dignity and respect.
• Respond calmly and empathetically to unexpected challenges and moments of distress, using sound judgment, patience, and de-escalation when appropriate.
• Support daily studio operations and maintain organized documentation of artwork, materials, schedules, and participant needs while collaborating closely with staff and artists.

Production Manager

Illumination • Chicago, IL

September 2025 to October 2025

• Managed production planning, fabrication, logistics, and installation for entertainment experiences at Illumination, Illinois' largest Halloween party and fundraiser for The Clayco Foundation, raising over 1.2 million dollars in 2025
• Directed 15 designers, supervised 22 performers, coordinated installation crews, and managed production schedules to ensure seamless event execution from load-in through strike

Apprentice

Cabinet of Curiosity • Chicago, IL

June 2024 to December 2024

• Supported the planning, coordination, and daily operations of large-scale public programs, performances, and workshops, including production scheduling, fabrication, installation, and live event logistics.
• Collaborated with the Artistic Director on event planning, creative design, illustration, and on-site execution.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, BFA — USA

DECEMBER 2024

École Intuit Lab, Preparatory Program — Paris, France

JUNE 2020