By Bill Parry
Sheila Lewandowski is about to get even busier.
In addition to the upcoming fall schedule at The Chocolate Factory Theater, of which she is the founder and executive director, she was the only New Yorker named to the latest class of The Chief Executive Program at National Arts Strategies, an organization dedicated to leading change throughout the arts and culture sector.
“I love learning from peers, but this is a group made up of community leaders in arts communities from 23 different nations,” Lewandowski said. “The interaction with like-minded people, all leaders in their communities that do art-driven projects, will better prepare me to tackle challenges here in my community.”
In addition to her work at the Obie Award-winning theater, at 5-49 49th Ave. in Long Island City, Lewandowski is a member of Community Board 2, a founding member of LIC Business Women, founder of The Taste of LIC, a member of the Queens Botanical Garden and on the Steering Committee at Hunters Point South Park.
She was also the first managing director at the Queens Council on the Arts, where she increased the budget by 20 percent, and two years ago she was added to a list of Women of Distinction by the state Senate for everything she does in the community.
“You find the time when it’s something you’re passionate about,” she said.
Now she joins the National Arts Strategies’ Chief Executive Program.
“These 50 leaders will have the ideas, tools and connections to affect change in their organizations and to accelerate their work collectively to strengthen communities and the cultural sector,” NAS CEO Gail Crider said.
The roster includes directors of cultural institutions from across the country and overseas, including Taiwan, England and Egypt. The program will include three in-person educational events at Vanderbilt University in Memphis, Tenn., the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and finally at the Sundance resort.
The events are designed to help leaders move forth their own unique objectives and goals.
“The project I’m working on that’s most important to me is finding a permanent home for my Chocolate Theater,” Lewandowski said. “I can’t wait to learn what leaders from Palo Alto, California, or Bogota, Colombia, would do if they were in my position. That will make me more effective and definitely broaden my own personal network.”
When the director of National Arts Strategies, Sunny Widmann, informed Lewandowski of her place on the Chief Executive Program, she wrote, “We are certain that we’ve assembled a truly exceptional group of leaders for this program, and your vision and experience make you a perfect fit.”
Lewandowski’s selection was roundly applauded in Long Island City.
“We’re all very proud of her because it’s such a big honor,” Manducatis Rustica owner Gianna Cerbone Teoli said. “She’s such a great leader in our community and she totally deserves the recognition.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
