OUR STAFF

Born and raised in West Orange, NJ, Lauren Meehan pursued music, playing violin at the age of 8. While perfecting her musical craft in her teens, she performed at Lincoln Center, the Capitol, and the United Nations. A former youth violinist, she recognizes the need for early and engaging arts education opportunities for young people. She has been an active participant in the arts, education and philanthropic communities since, serving as a founding member and later the co-chair of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers Emerging Leaders Affinity group, a 2014 Leadership Newark Fellow, and is a charter member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education Emerging Leaders Affinity Group. She graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor’s in Art & Archeology in 2008 and completed a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University in 2010, focusing on art crime. Lauren currently serves on the board of the Newark Preservation & Landmarks Committee and interviews applicants in greater Newark with the Princeton University Alumni Schools Committee. She also works with the Princeton University Office of Career Services and the FLI Program for low-income, first-generation undergraduate students.

Mayuri Chandra has worked for arts organizations and museums for over thirteen years developing, administering and evaluating programs for audiences of all ages in cities such as Boston, New York and London. For two academic years, she managed all teen programming in- and out-of schools at Studio in A School in New York City across all five boroughs. In her time there, she managed mentorships, workshops, internships and afterschool classes, developing curricula, administering sites and reporting feedback to foundations and funders. As the sole staff member of American Friends of Attingham, a British-based NGO committed to the study of historic houses, she managed membership, development, and communication of a network of alumni, consisting of leaders across arts fields around the world. Immediately following her Masters in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2005, she worked for two years in the Adult Education department of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, overseeing programs in the galleries and a weekly lecture series.

In 2015, the Summer Youth Program assigned me to my first summer college internship with Newark Arts Council and what is formerly known as Newark Arts Education Roundtable. It was easily one of the best experiences, giving me the idea of what a great opportunity, environment, and supportive people look like. Seven years later, being a college graduate from Rowan University, former Financial Education Coordinator, and WIOA Counselor,  I am now a Program Coordinator working with the same people who encouraged me at a time when I couldn’t even imagine how far I would go. 

My name is Amber Brown-Kelly, I am a former Newark ACT-SO alum, Education Abroad Student and I love the arts so much. It gave me balance during my K-College experience, and I know that our youth on the rise deserves the same. I look forward to meeting and working with you all!