OmniARTS Foundation, Inc.
GENESIS
In 2018, Amanda Austin and William Grafton identified a need for inter-multi-and transdisciplinary artist opportunities. Emerging from first-hand conversations with artists seeking support and space to experiment, OmniARTS was formed. Unbeknownst to OmniARTS’ leadership and Board, the collective created the first and only organization in America dedicated solely to the mission of creating interdisciplinary art through new work, performance events, and mentorship.
TIMELINE
2018 - Formed in New Jersey, with main offices in downtown Asbury Park.
2019 - A performance event introducing OmniARTS to the Ocean Grove and Asbury Park, NJ communities was shared featuring collaborating visual and musical artists.
2020 - In response to the pandemic, the Lean On Me concert series provided emergency relief to freelance artists, essential workers, and isolated individuals. This unprecedented 3-part virtual concert series sponsored collaboration between artists of multiple disciplines around the world, in performances embodying song requests made by essential workers.
2021 - OmniARTS’ Fiscal Sponsorship program launched, supporting multidisciplinary artist Willie Alexander, and his ongoing Residency at Minton’s Jazz Club in Harlem entitled Young, Gifted, and Black. The residency generated visual artwork by Jon Key, Warith Taha, Devin Morris, and Vanessa Beecroft.
2022 - Asbury Park local startup dance company, the Mal.Ped Dance Collective, joined the Fiscal Sponsorship program, which supported their first event Unseen cycles, an innovative, immersive performance experience at The House of Independents.
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
OmniARTS offers fiscal sponsorship for interdisciplinary artists and collectives. Fiscal Sponsorship provides fiduciary oversight, financial management, and other administrative services to build the capacity for charitable projects. Using OmniARTS as a fiscal sponsor offers a means for a project or event to attract donors even when it is not yet recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). In essence the fiscal sponsor, OmniARTS Foundation, Inc., serves as the administrative "home" of the project. Charitable contributions are given to the fiscal sponsor (OmniARTS), and then are provided to the Sponsee in support of their project or event.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NORAGH DEVLIN
PRESIDENT
Noragh is an Investor Relations Consultant with Centerbridge Partners, working primarily in fundraising, relationship management, and events. Noragh is also a Mezzo-soprano and has been called “gifted” by Opera News, and praised for her “powerful, rangy mezzo-soprano” by the New York Times.
WILLIAM GRAFTON
TREASURER
William is a Senior Payroll Consultant currently working with the US Senate. In Business, Finance, and Payroll cont. William has over 40 years of experience. William is also a percussionist.
SEAN GRAFTON
SECRETARY
Sean is an attorney and former lab scientist. Sean has been published as both a lawyer and as a scientist. Most recently his article about the Hatch-Waxman Act and how it will apply to lab-grown meats was published in the CUA Journal of Law and Technology. Sean is currently barred in the District of Columbia.
KENNETH OVERTON
BOARD MEMBER
Kenneth is a Grammy Award Winning Baritone with 15 years experience in nonprofit leadership. In addition to being an Educator, Clinician, Free-lance Writer and Social Justice Advocate, Kenneth is an Associate Producer on the upcoming Documentary "Black Opera".
KATRINA FISHER
BOARD MEMBER
Katrina is a Music Director, Educator, and Arts Administrator. Katrina has worked with cultural organizations including the New York Philharmonic and Kaufman Music Center, and is currently based in Boston, MA, working as Box Office and Events Manager at Groton Hill Music Center.
AMANDA AUSTIN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Amanda is a Soprano, Visual Artist, Producer, and Educator. For over a decade Amanda has contributed to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the arts as a freelance Grant Writer, Grants Manager, Fundraiser, Arts Administrator, and Arts Program Architect. Some of her collaborators include The Sorel Foundation, Harlem School of the Arts, Mise-en-scène Studios, and arts programming for Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND).
LINDA KARTEN
BOARD MEMBER
Linda Karten is an enthusiastic patron of the arts, with a particular focus on supporting the work of female artists. She is the Senior Director of Strategic Marketing at Seton Hall University. As a communications consultant, Linda has worked with Suddler & Hennesy’s IntraMed Education Group, McGraw-Hill, Rutgers School of Engineering and FIND/SVP Marketing Research. For the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, Linda was an assistant editor. She and her husband live in nearby in West Orange and have three children.