Edie Demas, PhD

PRESIDENT

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Edie founded EDG in 2020. Its focus is on strategic, creative, and collaborative consulting for the arts and culture sector. Priority areas include centering artists and audiences in shared, cultural experiences; harnessing the transformative power of the arts for change; and working alongside organizational stakeholders to envision, build and implement programs and operational systems that create healthy, thriving organizations for all. 

Together with her extensive network of expert, international artists, arts leaders, educators, creative and technical consultants, Edie provides clients with the tools, strategies, programs, and processes that will position them to thrive in an ever-changing environment.

Edie Demas, PhD

PRESIDENT

Edie is an award-winning, internationally recognized, creative leader with experience in performing arts, film & media, arts education, creative youth development, school & community, festival, and academic environments. In 2019 she was recognized as a leading woman in business by 914INC and in 2018, she received a Responsible 100 Award from City and State Media, honoring New York's most outstanding and socially responsible thought leaders and visionaries making transformative change.

Prior to launching EDG, Edie served as Executive Director of the Jacob Burns Film Center during its transition from founding leadership. A critical component of this work included oversight of the organization’s first strategic plan and workplace culture survey. At the JBFC, she brokered successful national partnerships in film and education; launched the Creative Culture fellowship and residency program; and oversaw the construction of two theaters. Additional projects: campus wide master planning; customization and implementation of the Tessitura Enterprise System; initiation of digital marketing training and campaign strategies; and pilots in new technology, immersive storytelling, exhibition and audience engagement. 

Prior to joining the JBFC, Edie worked as a strategic collaborator on the opening of The Wallis in Los Angeles, where she consulted on mission, vision, and strategy as well as on the final phase of construction for the center’s education wing; collaborated on artistic programs, commissions, and presentations; and designed a range education and engagement programs serving people of all ages. 

Edie has spent much of her career focused on multi-disciplinary family and arts education programming as well as professional development for teachers and teaching artists. She served as the Director of Education at New York City’s New Victory Theater, launching its renowned Teaching Artist Ensemble.

Edie’s international experience includes several years in Ireland, where she worked with the Graffiti Theatre Company and The Abbey Theatre, launched an international film festival for young people, worked in children’s film and TV, and produced the short film, Not A Bad Christmas, with Tony award-winning playwright, Enda Walsh.

Edie holds an MA and PhD from the NYU’s Program in Educational Theatre, where she has also held positions as a teaching fellow; theatrical, festival and conference producer; and adjunct faculty member.