Ann Betterton Named Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Ann Betterton Named Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Young Audiences Arts for Learning announced that Ann Betterton has been promoted to Vice President of Institutional Advancement.  In this new role, Ann will provide leadership on organizational strategy and partnership building, oversee development and fundraising efforts, and contribute to the long-range vision of Young Audiences as we collaborate with schools to problem-solve through arts education. In her ten plus years as Development Director, Ann has been instrumental in all major fundraising and program development initiatives. Ann led the successful “Build a Better Child” Capital Campaign that exceeded the $3.1 million goal and established a $2 million endowment and launched a planned giving program for Young Audiences. Board Chair Tanuja Dehne shared, “Ann’s key leadership and innovative approach to development has been essential to our success as an impactful organization.”

 

Ann has been a strong voice in new program creation—understanding what is needed in the field of arts education, tapping into research that supports our vision, and collaborating with education staff, artists, and trustees.  Most recently, Ann’s leadership took center stage with Young Audiences’ selection as a grantee of Princeton Area Community Foundation’s All Kids Thrive grant, to support 5 years of the YA Arts Lab at GE Wilson School in Hamilton, with the goal of reducing chronic absenteeism. That grant is matched by the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation to support the Arts Lab at Silver Bay Elementary School in Toms River. “Ann is 100% mission focused and forward thinking,” said Michele Russo, President & CEO. “It is an honor and a pleasure to work with Ann and to recognize her vast contributions to Young Audiences.”