FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sharon Salvador Appointed Interim Executive Director of Newark School of the Arts
/FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lori A. Scott Pickens
Board Chair, Newark School of the Arts
Email: lpickens@scj.rutgers.edu
Sharon Salvador Appointed Interim Executive Director of Newark School of the Arts, Bringing Decades of Leadership and Community Impact
Newark, NJ – The Newark School of the Arts (NSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Salvador as Interim Executive Director, effective January 2, 2025. With over 25 years of experience in strategic leadership, community engagement, and nonprofit management, Sharon will oversee daily operations, faculty, and staff during a crucial transition period. She will guide the school’s mission while the Board conducts a national search for a permanent Executive Director.
Sharon Salvador, who previously served as the Director of Development at NSA, brings a wealth of experience and passion for both the arts and community development. A proud Dominican-American woman raised and educated in Newark, NJ, Sharon’s career has been deeply rooted in community engagement and service. From a young age, she became a passionate community activist, working to uplift marginalized communities through her support of Community-Based Organizations.
A first-generation college graduate, Sharon holds:
A Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rutgers University
An MBA with a concentration in Global Management from the University of Phoenix
She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (Business Intelligence) at Marymount University, with an expected graduation in 2025.
With more than 25 years of expertise in strategic planning, administration, and operations, Sharon has raised over $35 million for a variety of prestigious organizations, including Newark Arts, Bessie Green Community, Inc., and New Community Corp. Her visionary leadership has resulted in sustainable growth and transformation for these organizations, underscoring her ability to secure funding and drive impact.
Sharon’s innovative approach and results-driven leadership have earned her multiple accolades, including:
2016: Recognition for Women's Distinction and Excellence in Service
2015: Trademark Women of Distinction Honors
2013: Recognition for Outstanding Service from The International Women’s Leadership Association
2012: Featured in Cambridge “Who’s Who of Professional and Executive Women”
Member of Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc. (Corazones Unidos Siempre)
Member of the Arts Administrators of Color
Sharon’s distinguished career has also seen her successfully raise millions of dollars for both domestic and international organizations, demonstrating her exceptional leadership and diplomatic skills.
As Interim Executive Director, Sharon will play a pivotal role in further strengthening NSA’s commitment to providing high-quality arts education while fostering a culture of growth and inclusivity. She will leverage her expertise in strategic development to enhance program offerings and community partnerships during this important leadership transition.
“We are excited to have Sharon step into the role of Interim Executive Director,” said the Board of Trustees of Newark School of the Arts. “Her deep-rooted connection to the community, along with her exceptional leadership experience, make her the ideal person to guide us through this pivotal moment in NSA’s history.”
About Newark School of the Arts
Founded in 1968, the Newark School of the Arts (NSA) transforms the lives of youth through access to high-quality education in the performing and visual arts. NSA provides excellent sequential arts education and training in a state-of-the-art learning environment.
Serving over 1,300 students each week, NSA offers programs in music, dance, drama, visual arts, and more. The school serves students of all ages and abilities, including special programs for talented students, preschool children, individuals with special needs, and senior citizens.
NSA is supported by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the Department of State, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The school has earned multiple awards for "Citation of Excellence" and has been designated a "Major Presenting and Service Organization" by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Contact:
Lori A. Scott-Pickens
Board Chair, Newark School of the Arts
Email: lpickens@scj.rutgers.edu
Website: www.newarkschoolofthearts.org
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information about Sharon Salvador’s appointment, please contact Jamillah Cope at development@newarkschoolofthearts.org.
