It is with mixed feelings that we must announce the departure of Grants and Programming Director Natalie Brown. While we’re sad to see her leave, our team is so proud to congratulate her on her new role as the program coordinator of Carnegie Art Center.

Natalie joined ASI as an associate in April of 2016. She was brought on to develop and work closely with the organization’s grant programs, professional development series, public programming, and advocacy efforts. After demonstrating a clear knack for and interest in supporting local artists and arts organizations in their pursuit of funding, Natalie was promoted to the position of grants and programming director in 2019. In her promoted role, she was vested with the responsibility to coordinate Decentralization (DEC) Grants, which are funded by the New York State Council on the Arts and administered locally by ASI. For the last three years, Natalie has also been the primary logistical planner of the Spark Awards, ASI’s annual region-wide award ceremony and the organization’s largest fundraising event.

Natalie’s contributions to ASI have been countless and invaluable. In 2016, she was instrumental in launching Make Music Day, a world-wide event celebrating and creating music, and coordinated the event for three years until ASI passed it on to Buffalo Rising. She also assisted with ASI’s Arts Access program, which provides low-income individuals and families with access to the arts through free or low-cost admission to cultural organizations. Her commitment and dedication have helped to transform Arts Services from an initiative among leaders in the arts sector to a sustainable organization with lasting regional impact.

“ASI has become a critical resource for artists and arts organizations throughout Western New York, and it is immensely bittersweet to announce my departure,” Brown said. “I am excited for this next chapter of my career, and look forward to witnessing ASI continue to grow from this new outside perspective.”

Natalie will remain on the ASI team until November to train her replacement and coordinate this season’s DEC Grants. She will also continue to manage Project 308 Gallery and assist with public art initiatives throughout North Tonawanda. On behalf of ASI, we would like to wish Natalie the best of success in all of her future endeavors.

Not ready to say goodbye? Stay in touch with Natalie at nataliebrown628@gmail.com.