Amanda Black

Amanda grew up outside of Allentown, Pennsylvania and moved to Philadelphia to pursue a degree in Art History at Temple University. After studying abroad at the Sorbonne Université and later in Rome, she graduated with honors and was the recipient of The Bilikopf Award for Outstanding Scholarship. Immediately following graduation, she was awarded a full scholarship to Drexel University and began her graduate studies in the Arts Administration program.  During her work at Drexel, Amanda served as the Special Events Coordinator for the Arts Administration Graduate Association and pursued research on partnerships between museums and cultural nonprofits. She completed her Master’s of Science in 2007 and was awarded “Best Research Thesis.” Her work, “Fostering Social Inclusion via Collaborations between Schools and Cultural Organizations” has been presented
at the 2007 Conference on Social Theory, Politics and the Arts and continues to generate interest.

Throughout the years Amanda has been deeply entwined in the arts, through both work and play.  While growing up, she danced ballet for eight years, three of which were en pointe. Amanda also studied drawing and painting at The Baum School of Art in Allentown. For the majority of her undergraduate studies, she continued to paint while completing internships at The Allentown Art Museum, The Fabric Workshop and Museum, and The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.   Amanda’s professional experience focuses primarily on fund-raising for art-oriented schools.  She has held development positions at Drexel University’s Leonard Pearlstein Gallery, The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and The Curtis Institute of Music.  Amanda is currently working at The University of the Arts as Associate Director of Development. She continues to study art and is currently enjoying her work with ceramics.

amandablack@aspirearts.org