Hi, I’m
Fiona Sharp
Fairfield,Lower Hutt
Summary
Experienced leader in arts accessibility, program development, and community engagement with a proven track record of strategic planning, fostering stakeholder relations, and securing funding to expand impact. Passionate about cultivating inclusive creative environments, mentoring professionals, and advocating for cultural sustainability. Demonstrated expertise in team leadership, curriculum design, and professional development. Strong commitment to Te Tiriti Waitangi and empowering the community. Results-oriented professional well-versed in project coordination and process improvement. Known for driving initiatives that streamline operations and enhance productivity. Proven ability to foster teamwork and adapt to evolving project needs with a focus on achieving objectives.
Overview
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Arts Access Aotearoa
Project Coordinator – Creative Spaces Network Development Advisor
03.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Strategic Network Development: Advise on the growth and sustainability of a network of 54 creative spaces across New Zealand, fostering environments for inclusive creative expression
- Professional Development & Mentorship: Provide strategic leadership in developing professional resources, mentorship, and fundraising guidance for network members
- Advocacy & Communications: Strengthen the voice of the network through social media, communications strategies, and coordinated engagement with stakeholders
- Fundraising & Resource Development: Support the implementation of a national fundraising strategy, identifying new revenue streams to sustain creative spaces
- Data & Impact Measurement: Promote participation in data collection initiatives to evaluate the long-term impact of creative spaces on community well-being
- Cross-Regional Collaboration: Work closely with the Auckland Creative Spaces Activator to align regional and national initiatives for greater impact
- Leadership Growth: Progressed from an assistant role to leading the strategic direction of a nationwide creative spaces network
- Training & Facilitation Success: Designed and facilitated a major government-funded training program, equipping creative spaces with essential skills and resources
- Enhanced Sector Visibility: Developed communication strategies that amplified the reach and impact of network members through digital platforms and advocacy efforts
- Funding Contributions: Played a key role in supporting fundraising strategies that secured financial sustainability for creative spaces
- Data-Driven Impact: Assisted in developing long-term evaluation frameworks to measure the effectiveness of creative spaces in community engagement and accessibility
Arts Access Aotearoa
Project Coordinator – Creative Spaces
03.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Promoted from Administrator to Project Coordinator within a year due to strong leadership and project success
- Designed and managed a national professional development programme supporting 54 creative spaces, fostering inclusivity in mental health and disability sectors
- Led the planning and execution of a free two-day national creative spaces conference, bringing together industry leaders to drive collaboration and innovation
- Facilitated a travelling two-day wānanga across New Zealand to provide training and foster engagement within the network
- Collaborated with Exult on governance and sustainable funding initiatives for non-profit organisations
- Delivered advocacy training to empower creative spaces towards independence and self-sustainability through partnerships and return-on-investment (ROI) strategies
- Enhanced Creative Spaces Network by planning and executing events to foster collaboration
- Developed marketing strategies, including website development and targeted messaging, to increase engagement
- Built strategic partnerships to improve resource sharing and facilitate network growth
- Secured and diversified funding streams in collaboration with the fundraising team
- Designed programmes that align with long-term strategic goals and vision
Artstart
Wellington Regional Manager
09.2022 - 04.2023
Job overview
- Lead a scholarship and exhibition programme, mentoring secondary students to showcase creative excellence
- Build and maintain partnerships with teachers, artists, and organisations to expand programme reach
- Secure funding and develop strategic initiatives that align with Artstart’s mission
- Embed cultural values into programmes, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility
Wainuiomata High School
Leader of Learning Arts
09.2011 - 08.2022
Job overview
- Managed a team of five creative practitioners in Visual Arts, Music, Drama, and Dance
- Co-constructed annual goals linked to strategic school objectives, with measurable outcomes
- Oversaw budget planning and resource management to sustain departmental success
- Implemented evaluative practices to ensure alignment with NZ Curriculum guidelines
Wainuiomata High School
Teacher of Art
09.2008 - 12.2011
Job overview
- Designed and delivered art programmes that celebrated student creativity while meeting curriculum standards
- Fostered a safe, inclusive learning environment, encouraging experimentation and self-expression
- Built strong, empowering relationships with students to nurture their artistic growth
The Dowse
Educator
09.2006 - 08.2008
Job overview
- Developed learning programmes for primary and secondary students that aligned with NZ Curriculum
- Delivered educational workshops that unpacked artistic narratives and values
Education
Victoria University Wellington
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching
01.2008
Quay School of Fine Arts, UCOL
Bachelor of Fine Arts
01.2004
WelTec
Diploma of Visual Arts
01.2002
Skills
- Leadership & Team Development
- Strategic Planning & Programme Development
- Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy
- Fundraising & Resource Development
- Cultural Competency & Inclusion
- Proficient in Microsoft 360 Suite
- Proficient in Adobe Photoshop
- Knowledge of CRM functionality and application
- Experienced in digital technologies for STEAM education
- Confident navigating Te Ao & Reo Māori
- Adept in Tikanga practices
- Problem-solving
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Operations
- Motivating teams
Professional Development
- Restorative Practice, Margaret Ross, 2011
- Cultural Competencies Framework, Tapasā, 2020
- STEAM Education Summit, EdTechNZ, 2018
- Solo Taxonomy, Pam Hook, 2019
- Leadership in Education, CORE Education, 2019
- Tātaiako & Ka Hikitia, Teaching Council of Aotearoa, 2016
- Microsoft 360 training
- Creative New Zealand Advocacy Training
- Community, Education and Māori Governance Training
- Evidence based evaluation
Professional Highlights
- Implemented and managed $900,000 Art, Managed a 3-year $900,000 training and development fund administered by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. I was tasked with optimizing resources allocation, co-designing and delivering needs based, targeted nationwide program of learning to increase organisational capabilities and strengthen network visibility through active advocacy.
- Led Curriculum and Pedagogy Changes, Championed significant curriculum and pedagogy changes at Wainuiomata High School, enhancing educational outcomes.
- Built Partnerships with Arts Organisations, Established key partnerships with Wellington Arts organisations and councils increasing community engagement.
- Developed Te Ao Māori Initiatives, Developed initiatives for establishing reciprocal relationships with local iwi and Tanagata Whenua ensuring Te Ao Māori principles are held at the helm.
- Facilitated Educator Professional Development, Facilitated transformative professional development programmes for educators, enabling alignment with national curriculum changes.
Timeline
Project Coordinator – Creative Spaces Network Development Advisor
Arts Access Aotearoa
03.2023 - Current
Project Coordinator – Creative Spaces
Arts Access Aotearoa
03.2023 - Current
Wellington Regional Manager
Artstart
09.2022 - 04.2023
Leader of Learning Arts
Wainuiomata High School
09.2011 - 08.2022
Teacher of Art
Wainuiomata High School
09.2008 - 12.2011
Educator
The Dowse
09.2006 - 08.2008
Quay School of Fine Arts, UCOL
Bachelor of Fine Arts
WelTec
Diploma of Visual Arts
Victoria University Wellington
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching
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