Graycen Bigger, PCED

Experience

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  Arkansas Business Publishing Group

  May 2008 - Nov 2019

  Arkansas Business NEA Reporter, Freelance Photographer, Photography Intern

  o Researched and composed weekly content highlighting business development throughout Northeast Arkansas o Conceptualized visual content alongside writers and editors and executed assignments while building relationships with state and community officials, business executives, organizations as well as area residents, resulting in intern of the year recognitiono Assisted supervising photographer on daily photo shoots for business, lifestyle, sports and educational publications

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  The Flinn Clinic

  Oct 2009 - May 2010

  Media Coordinator, Personal Assistant

  o Advanced public persona and media relations of Dr. George Flinn, Diagnostic Ultrasound Clinics and Flinn Broadcasting through marketing, social media, philanthropic efforts, speaking engagements and various community events o Increased fundraising revenue and community support for political campaigns o Maintained daily schedule, coordinated travel and completed daily tasks and errands for businesses and personal residences

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  The Jonesboro Sun

  Jul 2010 - Jul 2011

  Photo Editor, Lead Photographer, Feature Writer

  o Composed, edited and archived art-infused imagery for daily and special print, resulting in readership increaseo Engineered photo layouts for news, sports and community arts sectionso Liaised with writers and editors while overseeing and instructing company interns to create daily product outputo Researched and wrote community feature articles, highlighting education, the arts and philanthropic activityo Interviewed and facilitated relationships with officials and residents, resulting in network source, lead and ideas Show less

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  Sotheby's Institute of Art

  Aug 2011 - Mar 2013

  Master of Art in Art Business

  Completed thesis on the cultural and economic effects of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art on Arkansas

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  The Armory Show

  Mar 2012 - Mar 2012

  VIP Collections Volunteer

  Assisted private collectors with visit preparations and tours Welcomed and escorted guests

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  Paragould School District

  May 2013 - Jul 2017

  District OST Director

  o Oversaw classroom activity, executed daily lesson plans, lectured and scheduled travel opportunities for K-12 studentso Created formal lesson plans and energetic activities for art classes and district out-of-school-time programs based on museum education practices and art history curriculumo Led and managed employee team of nine, facilitated parent and district communication, managed budget for OST programs as well as maintained necessary student grant information while complying with all state licensing regulationso Submitted grants for district OST programs and worked as part of a grant writing team, resulting in awards of Better Beginnings Quality Status as well as 1 of 16 state 21CCLC grants. o Created inclusive extended school year program for students with disabilities with district administrators focused on mitigating learning loss, culture and the arts through the principles of STEAM learningo Developed 21CCLC after school program with team of teachers and school administrators for minority, low-income and at risk youth centered on character building, team work and academic aid in which at least 80 percent of participants fell below the poverty threshold. o Completed more than 150 hours of staff development training in the areas of finance and administration as well as inclusive curriculum programming and safetyo Served as a member of the Arkansas Out of School Network Leadership in Action Cohort Show less

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  Arkansas State University System

  Aug 2013 - Jan 2020

  Adjunct Professor

  o Formulated contemporary, engaging art history curriculum for non-art majors anchored in technology and social media, principles of museum education and the economics of art, resulting in a 95 percent student retention rateo Lectured both in a classroom, online and gallery (situ) setting to an average of 30 studentso Represented ASUN at various community events for marketing purposeso Traveled between main campus in Jonesboro, AR and Arkansas State University-Newport campuses in Marked Tree and Jonesboro Show less

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  Museum of Contemporary Art Arkansas

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2014

  Director
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  Ozark Artisan Innovation Hub Feasibility Study

  Dec 2016 - Sept 2018

  Arkansas Outreach and Resourcing Coordinator

  o Developed case study research of creative placemaking in rural communities and planned site visits to innovation hubs in the U.S.o Conducted presentations at various community meetings throughout project scope o Led community outreach events for local artisans and small business owners o Edited marketing materials and worked with area media outlets to bring awareness to feasibility studyo Developed database of area artisans and creative resourceso Forged partnerships with various education, business and creative agencies throughout Arkansaso Served as project Visual Arts Subject Matter Expert Show less

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  My Cherokee Village

  Jul 2017 - Dec 2019

  Director of Placemaking

  o Revitalize the town center in partnership with the city government, the suburban improvement district, and local citizenso Build local business incubator and continue development of regional innovation hub network in partnership with Doniphan Vitality o Leverage arts and culture to build unique community character and promote economic growth

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  Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority

  Jan 2018 - now

  Executive Director

  o Led regional strategic planning and strengthened cooperation between member communitieso Developed regional business retention and expansion programo Forged partnerships with various government, economic development, business and educationagencies throughout Arkansaso Created public relations materials and worked closely with media outletso Secured grant funding for infrastructure and workforce initiativeso Raised funding to create an AR Community Foundation regional affiliate in order to support localnonprofits, develop scholarships and revitalize community assets Show less

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  Farmers & Merchants Bank

  Dec 2019 - Jun 2023

  Assistant Vice President Community Development and Marketing Coordinator

  o Partnered with various community organizations to support regional economic developmento Developed business marketing materials with a statewide teamo Managed local charitable donations and community reinvestment fundso Represented Farmers & Merchants Bank in the local community

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  FNBC Bank

  Jun 2023 - now

  AVP, Strategic Partnerships

  The AVP Strategic Partnerships cultivates relationships with internal and external stakeholders, focusing primarily on community development to develop and maintain community partnerships