Kimberly Douglas on Building DC’s Theater Community and Cultural Bridges
Kimberly Douglas, Managing Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, joins Cultural Catalysts to talk about building, leading, and sustaining community-centered theater in Washington, DC. Kimberly shares her journey from her foundational years at Roots Activity Learning Center and Duke Ellington School of the Arts to her transformative leadership at The ARC Theater and now Woolly Mammoth. She explores why access to the arts is essential infrastructure, not a luxury, and how every role—from production manager to managing director—has fueled her mission to make space, nurture local talent, and ensure stories on stage help communities grow and heal.Find out more:Woolly Mammoth Theatre CompanyBuilding Bridges Across the RiverRoots Activity Learning CenterDuke Ellington School of the Arts
Want to know more about the Impact Roadmap: The Art of Describing Your Impact? Join the waitlist to get first access.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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Bridging Art and Business: Arvind Manocha’s Journey from McKinsey to Wolf Trap
Visionary arts leader Arvind Manocha, President & CEO of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts—home to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts—joins Alison to explore what it really takes to run one of America’s most beloved venues. Arvind traces a winding path from McKinsey & Company to the LA Philharmonic (including the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall), and digs into metrics that honor both the ephemeral magic of a single performance and the perpetuity of long-term capital projects. We get real about philanthropy’s role, artist hospitality (why backstage matters), and why programming a national park must reflect the nation. Also in the mix: mentorship, wellness, and building a career in the arts without losing your joy. Plus shout-outs to colleagues at ASU Gammage and beyond.Find Out More Here:Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing ArtsWolf Trap Professional Development WorkshopsAssociation of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP)
Want to know more about the Impact Roadmap: The Art of Describing Your Impact? Join the waitlist to get first access.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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Public Art With Purpose: Amina Cooper on Equity, Community, and the Atlanta Beltline
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil sits down with Amina Cooper, the first-ever Director of Arts and Culture at Atlanta Beltline Art, one of the nation’s largest temporary public art exhibitions. An Atlanta native, Amina has more than a decade of experience leading multimillion-dollar public art projects and is nationally recognized for her leadership in equitable public art policy.From her early days growing up in Atlanta to her roles with Charlotte Douglas International Airport and her own consulting firm, Amina shares how community, mentorship, and advocacy shaped her journey. She discusses the importance of ensuring that public art reflects the communities it serves, her work uplifting Black monuments through documentation, and the expansive vision she’s bringing to the Beltline.Tune in to hear Amina talk about the role of public art in our daily lives, the value of mentorship and collaboration, and how she stays grounded while balancing large-scale projects with deep community care.Find out more:Atlanta BeltlineAmericans for The Arts@BlackMonuments on InstagramReno Public Art
Want to know more about the Impact Roadmap: The Art of Describing Your Impact? Join the waitlist to get first access.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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Lila Mayes: Mentoring Creatives and Building Inclusive Pathways in Film and TV
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil sits down with Lila Mayes, Program Administrator for the Directors Guild of America - Producer Training Program. With a vibrant career spanning artist relations for the Grammys and mentoring aspiring filmmakers, Lila shares her journey of finding purpose and paving the way for inclusivity in the film and TV industry. Discover how Lila empowers young creatives, champions diversity, and transforms non-linear career paths into success stories. From set visits to mentorship masterclasses, Lila unveils the magic behind the scenes in entertainment.📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
Want to know more about the Impact Roadmap: The Art of Describing Your Impact? Join the waitlist to get first access.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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Aja Burrell Wood: Ethnomusicology and Inclusion in Jazz
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews Aja Burrell Wood, the Managing Director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. An ethnomusicologist, curator, and educator, Aja has dedicated her career to exploring the intersections of race, gender, and performance. She shares her journey from Detroit, Michigan, to Berklee Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice, highlighting how her passion for music and cultural advocacy led her to amplify underrepresented voices in jazz. Tune in to hear Aja discuss her work, her love for ethnomusicology, and the ways she’s building a more inclusive future for the arts.🌐 Find out more about Ethnomusicology: Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice | Society for Ethnomusicology📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
Want to know more about the Impact Roadmap: The Art of Describing Your Impact? Join the waitlist to get first access.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
Welcome to Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil—the podcast that celebrates the creative visionaries working behind the scenes in arts and entertainment. This podcast uplifts the voices of producers, publicists, directors, and other behind-the-scenes creatives who shape culture but don’t always get the spotlight.
From the challenges of building sustainable careers to the triumphs of crafting unforgettable artistic moments, Cultural Catalysts dives deep into the inspiring lives of those who make the magic happen. If you’re curious about the people driving creativity and innovation in the arts, this podcast is for you.
📢A Call to Action:
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the shifts in our arts and cultural landscape since these conversations were first recorded. We’ve seen challenges to institutions—including the arts—but we’ve also seen the resilience of creatives and cultural organizations.
If you believe in the power of the arts, now is the time to take action. Support the artists and arts organizations that inspire you—donate, amplify their work, and stay engaged. Visit Americans for the Arts to stay updated on advocacy efforts happening on Capitol Hill and across the country. Americans for the Arts provides resources and opportunities to get involved at the local, state, and national levels. We’ll link their website in the show notes and continue sharing updates on our MCE Instagram.
As the legendary Carrie Mae Weems reminds us, “Art is the one place we all turn to for solace, and we need that now more than ever.” Let’s show up for the arts, for our communities, and for each other.
🌐 MCE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcearts
The resource link can be found in our bio.
🌐 Americans for the Arts website: https://www.americansforthearts.org/
Listen to Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil, Outlive by Peter Attia MD, Book Summary, Podcast, English and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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