Mataraza Consulting was established in 2001 as an independent arts management-consulting firm designed to help arts and culture organizations navigate the changes crucial to remaining relevant and vital in their communities. Diane Mataraza’s 30 years of experience provide boundless resources for her work with groups who understand the importance of reimagining and refreshing their offerings in order to remain current with today’s rapidly changing cultural climates. With her heart deeply engaged in her work—and the people and organizations she works with—each project is rooted in an expectation of success, so that the efforts arising from that expectation yield a successful outcome.
Diane also works with foundations, cities, states in assessment and planning. For more information about how Mataraza Consulting can help you and/or your organization, check out our list of services.
Diane Mataraza, President
As president of Mataraza Consulting, Diane applies her lifelong record of accomplishment as an arts educator, non-profit arts administrator, federal arts funder, and foundation director to helping arts and cultural organizations build strong, sustainable programs.
Diane’s early work in the “trenches” provided her invaluable inside experience that has earned her a distinguished position at the top of her field. Her career in the arts began as a trained musician and arts educator. That passion for the arts led her into the non-profit arena—from staff member of a local arts agency, to Senior Advisor at the National Endowment for the Arts [NEA] to Executive Director of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Foundation (the Grammy Awards). A former national grant maker and registered lobbyist, the considerable scale of Diane’s experience has enabled her to quickly relate to and comprehend client realities.
A native of New York’s Hudson Valley, Diane was awarded a bachelor’s degree cum laude from Ithaca College School of Music, a master’s degree from New York University, and a certificate in association management from the United States Chamber of Commerce. She lives in St. Augustine, Florida.
Diane’s work experience has included:
- Executive Director of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Foundation (the Grammy Awards) based in Santa Monica, California.
- Senior Advisor to the Deputy Chairman at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) under the chairmanship of Jane Alexander.
- Director of the Local Arts Agencies Program at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in Washington, D.C.
- Senior Vice President with a national consulting firm specializing in cultural planning and marketing.
Prior to the National Endowment for the Arts, Diane:
- Directed the Alliance of New York State Arts Councils, the lead advocacy organization for the arts in New York State.
- Represented the arts community on the New York State Governor’s Arts Award Committee; the New York State Senate Committee on the Culture Industry; the Business Council of New York State’s Tourism Advisory Committee, and the State Education Commissioner’s Advisory Committee.
- Ran the Dutchess County Arts Council and its United Arts Fund in Poughkeepsie, New York. Through her efforts, Dutchess County was one of the first NEA Local Arts Agencies Test Program Grant recipients, and the county was a recipient of a New York State Governor’s Arts Award.
- Taught high school instrumental music in New York’s public schools.
- Is a Selina Ottum Award recipient, awarded by the NEA and Americans for the Arts.
“Her contemplative, firm resolve to achieve an excellent result for her clients is evidenced in all aspects of her process.”
- Peter Dolese, Executive Director of Arts Council of Oklahoma City
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