Tara Aesquivel

Tara Aesquivel is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Arts Leadership program at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music. With a career spanning over a decade in executive leadership roles within the nonprofit arts sector, she combines her expertise in fundraising, marketing, and community engagement to empower arts organizations.

• Education: MA in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University, BA in Music (Emphasis in Communication Studies) from University of Missouri-Kansas City

Her professional journey includes serving as Executive Director of Invertigo Dance Theatre and American Youth Symphony, alongside certifications such as Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Community Business Enterprise (CBE), and Local Small Business Enterprise (LSBE). As an independent consultant, she works with clients like LA28, Muse/ique, and the Association of California Symphony Orchestras, emphasizing practical solutions for organizational sustainability.

Tara’s teaching and consulting focus on strategic planning, operations analysis, and leveraging limited resources for impactful arts leadership, informed by her participation in DEI-focused programs and advisory boards.