About.
An experienced communications strategist,
publicist and marketer. . .
I’m Karen (K.Rae) Nelson
I am a savvy communications leader with a record of achievements gained at prestigious national non-profit, government and higher education organizations – now ready to share that experience with you!
Our team helped sway opinion to save public funding for the arts when the National Endowment for the Arts was targeted in Washington D.C. At the J. Paul Getty Trust we weathered legal challenges to open the new Getty Villa and navigated international collections scrutiny. At UCLA Live/Center for Performing Arts at the University of California in Los Angeles, I publicized hundreds of world-class performances. In the Midwest, I’ve marked successes at the American Swedish Institute, Hennepin Theatre Trust, Arts Midwest, American Composers Forum, and the Playwrights’ Center.
My Experience.
American Swedish Institute
Minneapolis
As the head of Communications, Marketing and Media Relations, I planned and implemented all of ASI’s paid, earned, owned and cross-channel social media, in addition to web site updates and maintenance. As editor of Posten/Catalog I wrote articles and was a staff photographer. ASI gained unprecedented press coverage, record museum/event attendance and increased class registrations, smoothly transitioning to many virtual programs during the COVID shutdowns. Promotional successes also drove business to FIKA Cafe and the ASI Museum Store.
Hennepin Theatre Trust
Minneapolis
As Communications Director, I managed and implemented organizational communications strategy, public relations and publicity initiatives for Hennepin Theatre Trust, owner of the historic, State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres, with ticket sales capacity for more than 5000 seats. From "WeDo" urban cultural district planning to publicity for hundreds of Broadway touring productions and performances, my leadership of communications and marketing brought international attention and substantial profits.
UCLA Live - Performing Arts
Los Angeles
At U.C.L.A. Live, the Performing Arts Program at the historic Royce Hall on the Los Angeles campus, I publicized almost 200 music, theatre, dance, comedy, and spoken word programs with media campaigns that gained extensive coverage, generating ticket sales, learning, participation and support.
J. Paul Getty Trust
Los Angeles
I conceived and managed communications strategy, marketing and publicity initiatives for the J. Paul Getty Trust including the Getty Museum, the Getty Research and Conservation Institutes and the Grant Program. Acted as spokesperson to local, national and international media and the public. Managed media inquiries, public access campaigns, museum exhibition promotions, grant announcements, performing arts publicity, visiting delegations and issues regarding the renovation of the Getty Villa. Coordinated television and radio broadcasts
National Endowment for the Arts
Washington, D.C.
At the National Endowment for the Arts, our communications team planned and implemented public and media strategy that helped raise national understanding about the value of arts and restore government funding.
Arts Midwest
Minneapolis
As a communications specialist, writer, publicist and publications editor for the regional agency Arts Midwest, we served the multi-state region with an annual booking conference, the Jazz Masters program and Visual Arts Fellowship, working closely with national partners.
Projects & Milestones
Launching the Bob Dylan Mural with Brazilian Eduardo Kobra...
When the Brazilian mural team led by Eduardo Kobra hit Minneapolis to paint what has since become one of the city's most recognizable downtown landmarks, as Director of Communications at Hennepin Theatre Trust, I orchestrated an Star Tribune exclusive story that hit the A.P wire and gained national and international attention with more than a million media hits at major print and broadcast outlets including . Using my Portuguese language skills, acquired while living in Brazil, I translated so the non-English speaking crew could deliver TV and Minnesota Public Radio interviews. I also led the documentation, not only photographing the creation, but coordinating the production time-lapse project video.
"The Vikings Begin" sets exhibition records...
As head of communications, marketing and media relations at the American Swedish Institute, I guided the promotional campaign for the international touring exhibition "The Vikings Begin," which resulted in record breaking attendance and earned income. My solo publicity efforts, including a coordinated press preview, landed feature articles in the major daily newspapers and statewide magazines as well as a coveted Minnesota Public Radio interview with the lead exhibition researcher. Coverage reached more than 16,230,230 people with a value of $150,000. This earned media, combined with marketing elements including targeted emails, direct mail, signage, partnerships, audience/donor outreach, related programming and tours resulted in an unprecedented success.
National Heritage Awards & National Medal for the Arts
These two national arts awards are some of the most prestigious in the country. Working with White House communications staff and as a lead team member for the National Endowment for the Arts, we coordinated the announcements, national publicity and artist/media attendance at the White House ceremonies and related State Department Dinners. I received a Distinguished Service Award in recognition of my contributions.