OUR STAFF
LAUREN MEEHAN
Director
Born and raised in West Orange, NJ, Lauren Meehan pursued music, playing violin at the age of 8. While perfecting her musical craft in her teens, she performed at Lincoln Center, the Capitol, and the United Nations. A former youth violinist, she recognizes the need for early and engaging arts education opportunities for young people. She has been an active participant in the arts, education and philanthropic communities since, serving as a founding member and later the co-chair of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers Emerging Leaders Affinity group, a 2014 Leadership Newark Fellow, and is a charter member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education Emerging Leaders Affinity Group. She graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor’s in Art & Archeology in 2008 and completed a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University in 2010, focusing on art crime. Lauren currently serves on the board of the Newark Preservation & Landmarks Committee and interviews applicants in greater Newark with the Princeton University Alumni Schools Committee. She also works with the Princeton University Office of Career Services and the FLI Program for low-income, first-generation undergraduate students.
MAYURI CHANDRA
Project Manager
Mayuri Chandra has worked for arts organizations and museums for over thirteen years developing, administering and evaluating programs for audiences of all ages in cities such as Boston, New York and London. For two academic years, she managed all teen programming in- and out-of schools at Studio in A School in New York City across all five boroughs. In her time there, she managed mentorships, workshops, internships and afterschool classes, developing curricula, administering sites and reporting feedback to foundations and funders. As the sole staff member of American Friends of Attingham, a British-based NGO committed to the study of historic houses, she managed membership, development, and communication of a network of alumni, consisting of leaders across arts fields around the world. Immediately following her Masters in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2005, she worked for two years in the Adult Education department of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, overseeing programs in the galleries and a weekly lecture series.
MAYURI CHANDRA
Project Manager
Mayuri Chandra has worked for arts organizations and museums for over thirteen years developing, administering and evaluating programs for audiences of all ages in cities such as Boston, New York and London. For two academic years, she managed all teen programming in- and out-of schools at Studio in A School in New York City across all five boroughs. In her time there, she managed mentorships, workshops, internships and afterschool classes, developing curricula, administering sites and reporting feedback to foundations and funders. As the sole staff member of American Friends of Attingham, a British-based NGO committed to the study of historic houses, she managed membership, development, and communication of a network of alumni, consisting of leaders across arts fields around the world. Immediately following her Masters in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2005, she worked for two years in the Adult Education department of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, overseeing programs in the galleries and a weekly lecture series.
ARTS ED NEWARK BOARD MEMBERS
Carmen Santos-Robson
Board Chair
Lauren Craig
Board Member
Steven Musolino
Board Member
Natasha Dyer
Vice Chair
Devonne DeNose
Board Member
Richard Marshall
Secretary
Wendy Liscow
Board Member
Tiffany Salas
Board Member
ARTS ED NEWARK LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
The Arts Ed Newark Leadership Council guides the strategic initiatives of the AEN. Leadership Council members are elected by AEN partners.
Regina Barboza
Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives, Newark Arts
Mary Bey
Board Member, ACCA Creates! and Arts Ambassador graduate
Andrea David
Artist, Newark
Margaret El
Former Director of Visual & Performing Arts, Newark Board of Education
Antonia Germanos
Visual Arts, Newark Board of Education
Dana Johnson
Founder, Grounded Music Education
Lauren Meehan
Director, Arts Ed Newark
Patricio Molina
Senior Director, Faculty & Creative Practice, NJPAC
Karima Onque
Literacy Coach, 13th Avenue School, Newark
Tiffany Salas, Chair
Owner, Chiffani Brands Unlimited
Krystal Shannon
Director, Art for the Purpose
Shikera Usher
Independent Newark nonprofit arts professional


