Shannon Matesky

As a young person I was put into programs that changed my life and the trajectory of my career by showcasing strong leadership and clear vision and I have led a career that carries on and passes down what was shared with me. For over 15 years I have worked with organizations to harness language and story telling to move people to social change. Whether through non-profit administration, education, production, strategic program management, digital strategy, or artist curation I have led a legacy of uplifting artists and changemakers.

I curate experiences that are life changing by connecting our older generations with our leaders of the future. It is a part of my legacy to train, to resource, and to transform individuals to want to make an impact on this world. I have effectively managed cross-functional teams and partnerships to enhance many cultural initiatives.

Lead Curator at The Peace Studio (2026 – Present)

• Lead curator for a 3 day conference for 44 young adult participants to learn how to harness themes of Peace in their storytelling.
• Curated 3 panels, 5 workshops, 1 Showcase, and 4 Artist features showcasing Fine artists, Television Executives, TV Writers and more.
• Led 10+ staff and media and digital content team for conference execution and engagement.

Awards and Public Programs Manager at The Center for Cultural Power (2020 – 2024)

• Led redistribution of $1.2M California Arts Council Grant to 73 artists, implementing strategic allocation protocols and maintaining compliance records and evaluation tools.
• Directed multi-year online Arts Workshop Campaign featuring 12 artists, designed digital content strategy and expanded program reach through multimedia platforms.
• Spearheaded cultural initiatives and content through strategic distribution planning and innovative communication approaches.
• Led cross-functional teams to develop and launch organizational websites to enhance digital presence.
• Roles in tenure: Program Manager, Award Manager, Distribution Strategist, Communications Associate.

Festival Director, Brave New Voices at Youth Speaks (2015 – 2024)

• Led comprehensive festival strategy, curating and directing 20+ artists and 50+ staff to deliver an immersive 4-day poetry event for 500+ attendees, elevating youth artistic voice.
• Orchestrated end-to-end festival logistics, including artist bookings, staff training, and programming design while maintaining strict quality standards.
• Fostered cross-functional partnerships with marketing and production teams to ensure seamless festival execution and enhanced attendee experience.

Producer at Queer Abstract (2017 – 2020)

• Created an event that fostered an artist network of 300+ QTPOC creators, curating variety show events with press coverage in major publications like New York Times.
• Streamlined event logistics and social media coordination, ensuring seamless show execution while amplifying artist visibility.
• Orchestrated production team operations, fostering an inclusive environment while maintaining high-quality live entertainment standards.
• Pioneered digital archive strategy through YouTube platform, expanding show reach while preserving performances for broader audience engagement.

Youth Poet Laureate Director, Youth Engagement Coordinator at Urban Word NYC (2016 – 2018)

• Led multi state National Youth Poet Laureate Program initiative partnering with 30 organizations, establishing evaluation metrics and coordinating with diverse stakeholders to provide publishing opportunities for emerging writers.
• Coordinating with schools and artists to orchestrate citywide poetry competitions culminating at New York City's Apollo Theater.
• Created a comprehensive event production curriculum for youth fostering leadership and project management skills, empowering the next generation of cultural organizers.
• Expanded digital presence through strategic content creation and media team management.
• Produced and curated a 4 day Annual Educator Conference to strengthen teaching practices.

BFA Acting in Acting – Depaul, University, The Theater School (2006 – 2010)

HS Diploma – Oakland School For The Arts (2002 – 2006)