Beau Kenyon
The Arts and Culture Alliance is pleased to welcome Beau Kenyon to Oakley Collective as its new Senior Advisor for Partnerships and Planning. Kenyon will work alongside Executive Director, Amber Danielson, to support the definition of vision and details for long-term programming and strategies, with the primary goal of implementing the Arts and Culture Master Plan.
This dynamic team will continue to build cultural vitality, celebrate diverse communities, and sow the seeds of multi-generational civic pride and an overall sense of belonging.
“We are excited to expand our creative leadership team to advance the implementation of the Arts and Culture Master Plan,” Danielson said. “Bo has extensive experience in community engagement, operational planning, and community development that will strengthen and amplify Marshalltown’s creative ecosystem. The Alliance is grateful to have the support of the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation for the opportunity to grow and continue to increase our impact within the community.”
Kenyon has built his career on collaboration and interdisciplinarity. After earning degrees in music composition from Berklee College of Music and Tufts University, he has devoted a decade to research in the areas of cognitive neuroscience, curiosity-based teaching practices, and community engagement.
In 2017, Kenyon founded Oakley Collective to align all parts of his practice – interdisciplinary collaboration, culturally responsive programming, cognitive neuroscience, music composition, and artistic leadership. Oakley Collective's sole purpose is to sustainably build capabilities from within organizations as a thought partner to executive leadership.
Working collaboratively with organizations, Oakley Collective contributes to the vision and details of long-term strategies, which include timelines, performance metrics, staffing and training needs, and partnerships between organizations. At the same time, build culturally responsive programming, engagement opportunities, institutional partners, and advancement strategies. “There are a lot of people across the state who have connections to Marshalltown. It's a very special place, and I'm honored to be invited to support this work,” Kenyon said.
In addition to his work with the Alliance, Poe teaches graduate courses in Arts Management and Cultural Leadership at Northeastern University's College of Arts, Media and Design. His multidisciplinary creative work has appeared at SITE Santa Fe, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, MFA Boston, Des Moines Civic Center, and ICA Boston, with public artwork installed at Governors Island, Emerald Necklace, Des Moines Water Works Park, Boston Public Library, and Fenway Park. .
