Pamela Young joined DANCECleveland as Executive/Artistic Director in March 2003 and retired from the organization in 2021. With a strong background in project management, development and non-profit organizational and transition management, she has brought focused leadership and experience to northeast Ohio’s premier dance presenting organization.
During her tenure with DANCECleveland, she was recognized for her innovative leadership, created a new model for audience development which was nationally recognized, commissioned 10 new works by national dance makers, launched an innovative early childhood educational program-Read To Learn…Dance To Move, and curated season after season of remarkable dance performances by national, and international dance companies.
Ms.Young garnered two Joyce Awards by the Joyce Foundation (Chicago) to commission new work, was awarded the coveted Martha J. Joseph Prize-for distinguished service to the arts from the Cleveland Arts Prize in 2014, and was a featured speaker at the first Arts and Innovation Summit in Denver Colorado. She served on a number of non-profit boards, including Dance USA and was a Co-Chair for the organization’s annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. She has served as a panel reviewer for The Ohio Arts Council and MAPFund.
During her tenure at DANCECleveland, Ms. Young provided theater and rehearsal spaces for visiting dance companies to create new work. Understanding the extreme need for these types of resources, Ms. Young raised $250K to launch a Blue Ribbon Panel and lead a feasibility study exploring the need and viability for a new choreography center. Upon the completion of the study, Ms. Young founded the National Center for Choreography at the University of Akron, raised a $5 million dollar endowment and additional operating support, completed the founding documents and articles of incorporation, negotiated donated office and rehearsal space, served the search committee to hire the organization’s first Executive/Artistic Director, formed the first Board, and served as the first Board Chair for the organization.
Prior to joining DANCECleveland, Ms. Young had an esteemed career working with a number of arts organizations in the Greater Cleveland community, including: MOCA-Cleveland, Cleveland Public Art, Dancing Wheels/Professional Flair and Cleveland/San Jose Ballet and has served in a variety of functions from Acting Executive Director, Development Director and Earned Income Specialist. Before entering the non-profit arts sector, Ms. Young worked for a number of architectural and design firms.
Since her retirement from DANCECleveland, she has continued to serve the non-profit arts field as a consultant, launched a jewelry design business, and is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Cleveland Institute of Art teaching nonprofit administration.
Ms. Young received her Bachelor of Science in Design from the University of Cincinnati and Certificate of Non-Profit Management from CASE-Mandel Center for Non-Profit Management.
