Helping funders and arts organizations realize their vision since 1996.

In working with you, we were able to get a really good assessment of our standing in the field. It got into the heart of what makes our organization tick. And, we sense your ongoing concern.


—Jawole Zollar
Artistic Director/Chief Visioning Partner, Urban Bush Women

ABOUT US

Company Profile

The whole process of your consultancy with us has been compelling, frank, to the point, realistic, positive, and extremely helpful. The report you created will be an important resource for us for years to come. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

—Septime Webre
Artistic Director, Hong Kong Ballet

Former Artistic Director, 
The Washington Ballet

About

Callahan Consulting for the Arts, LLC helps artists, arts organizations, and funders realize their vision through services that include strategic planning, resource development, program evaluation, and philanthropic counsel. Founded by Suzanne Callahan in 1996, the firm engages in strategic partnerships with senior consultants as well as freelance writer/administrators.

In the past two decades, the firm has enjoyed growing recognition. For over 20 years, the firm has designed, managed and/or evaluated national funding programs for Dance/USA and other organizations. Founder Suzanne Callahan is a regular trainer, college educator, panelist, and guest speaker. Published by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Callahan’s book entitled Singing Our Praises was awarded Outstanding Publication of the Year (2005) from the American Evaluation Association for its contribution to the theory and practice of evaluation. She has also been published in the areas of fundraising, planning, and philanthropy. The firm was approved to join the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers, which provides services to funders, as well as the consultant roster for the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, which provides government funding for planning and capacity building to business enterprises in Harlem. Callahan was appointed as an Affiliate Researcher for the Center for Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Assessment (CREA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Callahan Consulting for the Arts, LLC offers its clients a wealth of experience in national policy and philanthropy; professional certification and documented success in fundraising; graduate-level training and trend-setting expertise in evaluation; and a thorough and effective approach to assessment and strategic planning. Most importantly, the firm prides itself on its track record of accomplishment and concrete results in its key service areas, and the strong and trusting relationships that it has developed with its clients.

Clients

The firm has attracted a wide and growing client base of small to mid-sized arts ensembles, large institutions, presenting organizations, foundations, and national associations. Philanthropic clients include The Mellon Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Kenan Institute for the Arts, and the Walder Foundation. Its national client base (most of which serve as re-grantors) includes Dance/USA, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and the National Performance Network. The budget size of 501(c)3 organizations served has varied from under $100,000 to over $6 million. Artistic disciplines have included dance of a wide variety of forms and styles including ballet, modern, tap, African, Latin-influenced, Middle Eastern, and swing/lindy; contemporary, experimental, and traditional theater; spoken word; and orchestral, choral, chamber, gospel, and Latin music and hip-hop.

Mission And Values

These principles guide both our work and relationships with clients.

Staff

We are committed to working with artists as freelance staff, which allows our clients to benefit from their insight and experience while also supporting their careers.

Senior Partners

Through carefully developed partnerships, we work with a range of senior consultants to bring our clients the best range of skills for their needs.