New York

Meet Your Federal Arts Advocacy Captain

Holly Grant 

Holly Grant is the Grants and Programming Director of Arts Services Inc. As a versatile and proven arts leader, she is dedicated to exposing people to the arts and helping artists discover their potential. Bringing nearly two decades of experience working in the Western New York arts and cultural sector, Holly has developed strategic partnerships throughout her career that support and connect members of the arts community.

Holly spent the previous chapter of her career breaking down the barriers that prevent marginalized communities from attending live performances. As the former Education Coordinator at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, she brought over 65,000 young people to the theater—many for the first time—through creative and unique programming. In this position, she worked tirelessly to secure funding to offer free and reduced-cost admission and transportation to schools and families in need and worked directly with artists to bring them into communities otherwise unable to experience the performing arts. 

Prior to working at Shea’s, Holly served as the Event Coordinator for the Kenan Center and as a House Manager for the Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia, where she received a degree in Arts Administration. She has also served as a member of the Arts Partners for Learning leadership team and the Education Affinity group for the International Performing Arts for Youth and has been a presenter at the Erie County Music Educators Association conference.

In addition to her professional experience, Holly is currently a singer with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, where she has served as a board member and board president and has assisted with their marketing, development, and concert logistics efforts.

Favorite Art Form: Musical Theatre

Jen Swan-Kilpatrick

Jen is the Executive Director of Arts Services Inc. in Buffalo, NY which empowers the region’s artists and arts organizations with connections to funding, learning opportunities, and community access to the arts.

 Since 2011 she has lead the organization to be a resource hub for artists and arts and cultural organizations in Western New York. ASI provides assistance through arts funding, professional development training, bookkeeping services, and advocacy efforts on local, statewide, and national levels.

Jen has been in the field of nonprofit arts management for over 15 years and has been supporting thriving arts and culturals through her community-minded focus and involvement in grassroots production. She has provided guidance and consultation to arts leaders and artists, and understands the tools needed for creative entrepreneurs and arts administrators.

Jen is the Vice President of Arts NYS, a statewide arts advocacy network for the arts. She has participated in Americans for the Arts’ Arts Advocacy Summit annually since 2011, and from 2015-2017 served as NYS Captain for those advocacy efforts and is pleased to again take on this role starting in 2022.

Jen was named Buffalo Spree Magazine’s 2018 Best Arts Administrator and has a MA in Arts Management from the University at Buffalo and a BA in Communications/Broadcasting with a minor in music from Buffalo State College.

Favorite Art Form: Music

Contact Holly Grant or Jen Swan-Kilpatrick

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