Education
Ed.D Educational Theatre. Dissertation; Sheltered in Place: Using Hip Hip to Progress Towards a Critical, Collaborative, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in our Schools, New York University
M.A. 2014 Educational Theatre. Thesis; Poetry in Motion, An Ethonographic Exploration
B.F.A. 2008 Theatre Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
Experience in Higher Education
Columbia University, New York, NY 2020
Guest Lecturer, Graduate Arts Administration Program
Course Taught
Equity Diversity and Inclusion as a Foundation for Community Engagement in the Arts
New York University, New York, NY 2019
Guest Lecturer, Graduate Arts Administration Program
Course Taught
ARTP1-CE9661 Equity Diversity and Inclusion for the Arts
The City College of New York, New York, NY 2018
Guest Lecturer Educational Theatre Program
Courses Taught
EDCE 7700A Drama in Education
EDCE 4100F Developing Arts Curriculum in Non Traditional Settings
Administrative Experience
Cultural Innovation Group, LLC 2018-Present
Founder & CEO
Boutique consulting firm with a social justice lens providing services to funders and non-profits in the following areas:
Strategic planning
Organizational restructuring
Business planning
Capacity assessments
Developing responsive cultural programming
Program evaluation
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs 2017-2019
Program Officer
Produce qualitative and quantitative reports
Develop Theory of Change to match program objectives to organizational practices
Analyze and evaluate grant proposals from non-profit organizations
Provide technical assistance to applicants and grantees on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices
Facilitate capacity building workshops on strategic and adaptive planning
Collect and analyze research on industry markets and reports related to DEI
Lincoln Center Education 2013-2017
Manager Community Engagement Programs
· Designed, Developed, and Implemented Creative Youth Development Curriculum with a social justice framework
· Conducted field research on market trends
· Presented research findings to senior management
· Analyzed data to articulate key findings
· Hired and supported third party program evaluators and consultants
· Provided supervision and ongoing support to two junior staffers
Program Manager Teaching Artist Faculty and Fellowships
· Designed and implemented responsive professional development curriculum used to train Teaching Artist faculty
· Developed protocol for on-site field assessment of Teaching Artists
· Supervised a portfolio of over 60 Teaching Artists in Dance, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts
· Developed and disseminated digital surveys to collect quantitative data from school and community partners
Veteran Outreach Fellow
· Conducted market research and assessment on veteran service organizations (VSOs)
· Forged over a dozen strategic partnerships between the veteran community and Lincoln Center
· Routinely designed and facilitated presentations on program goals and outcomes
· Planned and executed community outreach and special events for veteran service organizations (VSOs)
Continuing Professional Development (select)
Impact Program for Arts Leaders, Stanford University
Military Experience
United States Navy, Petty Officer, Third Class (E-4) 2009-2011
Professional Service (select)
Face to Face Conference Steering Committee 2019-Present
New York City Arts Education Roundtable
Diversity Committee 2017-2019
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
Diversity and Inclusion Task Force 2016-2018
New York City Arts Education Roundtable
Invited Presentations, Conferences, & Speaking Engagements
Cooper, D. (January 2020). Podcast. Art Accordingly. Washington, D.C.
Cooper, D., Finkelpearl. T., Johnson, S., Morton, M., Sidford, H. (April 2019). “Funding Equity: Moving Beyond Sustainability to Thrivability. Face to Face Conference. New York, NY.
Cooper, D. (April 2019). BronxNet TV Interview. Bronx, NY.
Cisneros, A., Cooper, D., Davis, L., Hall, D., Horton, J. (May 2018), Webinar. “Funding the Movement”. National Guild for Community Arts. New York, NY
Anderson, P., Cooper, D., Yankowski, L., (March 2018). Building Equity: Strategies for Engaging and Sustaining Community. Day of Learning Conference. New York, NY.
Cooper, D., Poulin, J., Sarian, A., Wallace, D. (July 2017). Arts and Policy: Responding to a Shifting Administration. Lincoln Center Education Summer Forum. New York, NY.
Awards, Honors, Scholarships
2020 Innagural Verbatim Performance Lab Research Award, New York University
2020 Champion of the Arts Honoree, Walker International Communications Group
2019 Nancy and Lowell Swortzell Educational Theatre Service Scholarship, New York University
2018 Nancy and Lowell Swortzell Educational Theatre Service Scholarship, New York University
2008 Greer Garson Award, Southern Methodist University
2004 Thespis Award, Alabama School of Fine Arts
2003 Merit Award, National Young Arts Foundation
Professional Affiliations
American Alliance for Theater & Education
National Guild for Community Arts Education
New York City Arts Education Roundtable