With over 14 years of experience in LA's creative economy, Emily Wanserski partners with artists disciplines to build sustainable careers, organizations, and systems. While she has written her fair share of strategic plans, she's far more interested in strategic doing: rapid prototyping, developing framework and testing ideas in real time. She is a Co-Founder of the Center for Provocative Thought, an experimental residency space that fuels research, creative process, and bold ideas.

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Emily also co-created and co-leads JUMPSTART/LA with Laura Berg and Gracie Whyte Ground Grooves / WHYTEBERG). This week-long summer program supports early career artists in building sustainable dance careers, navigating LA's performing arts ecosystem, and sharpening essential entrepreneurial skills. 

 

Her client list spans institutions and grassroots initiatives alike including — the Annenberg Foundation, Arts Bridging the Gap, Barak Ballet, Banjee Ball/Purple Crush, BODYTRAFFIC, City of Cedar Park (Texas), City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, City of West Hollywood, Ground Grooves, Intel, Invertigo Dance Theatre, LA Contemporary Dance Company, LA Follies, MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, Nike, Pasadena Dance Theatre, Perkins+Will, Royal Shakespeare Company, Suarez Dance Theater, Sundance Film Festival, and the University of Southern California.

 

Emily also works closely with individual artists, particularly choreographers, through one-on-one coaching that pairs big picture strategy with hands-on in budgeting, grant writing, marketing, and creative planning. She's worked with artists across a range of practices including Brian Golden, Cat Rendic, Gianna Burright, Leah Zeiger, Madi Hicks, Marissa Labog, Melanie George, Toogie Barcelo, and Diana Wyenn. 

 

A frequent guest lecturer, Emily has taught at AMDA, LMU, Santa Monica College, UCLA, USC, and the University of Michigan, where she earned dual degrees in Political Science and Dance. She currently serves on the Choreographers Guild Advisory Board.