Former senior project manager at Carnegie Hall joins Van Wezel Foundation as director of development

Julie Schwartz has more than 20 years of experience at renowned arts and cultural organizations, Foundation notes

Julie Schwartz. Contributed photo

Julie Schwartz, formerly the senior project manager at Carnegie Hall in New York, has joined the Van Wezel Foundation  as director of development, the Foundation has announced.

“In this role, Schwartz is responsible for annual giving operations and fundraising initiatives to support the Foundation’s mission of creating and sustaining a vibrant performing arts center, advancing education and enriching communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts,” a news release says.

The Foundation is working to raise funds for its proposed new Sarasota Performing Arts Center (SPAC), which its staff has estimated could cost up to $350 million. The majority of the Sarasota City Commission committed this spring to paying for half of the expense.

Schwartz has more than 20 years of experience working at renowned arts and cultural organizations, the release adds. Her most recent position was the one at Carnegie Hall, the release notes. She was responsible for the strategy behind, and implementation of, the replacement of the Hall’s enterprise software system, which is used for artistic planning, repertoire management and organizational operations, the release explains.

Prior to that, Schwartz was director of development services for Carnegie Hall’s advancement programs. “In addition, she has held project manager positions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,” along with and senior development positions at The Clark Art Institute and Boston Symphony Orchestra,” the release points out.

“Julie has an impressive breadth of experience successfully building and leading annual funds, growing membership programs, implementing special events and managing development operations,” said Mark Cole, the Foundation’s chief advancement and marketing officer, in the release. “Julie brings best practice fundraising experience to the Foundation at a pivotal time as we grow our private philanthropy support to realize the promise of a new performing arts center for the region,” he added in the release.

“I am honored to join the Foundation’s leadership team at such an exciting time,” said Schwartz in the release. “I look forward to working together with the philanthropic community on this important next chapter.”