1. RACHEL JOYCE
racheleejoyce@gmail.com
Summary
Communications professional with over twenty years of experience in the promotion of arts and cultural events with an
emphasis in performing arts.
Experience
Assistant Director, Public Relations 09/2004 to Current
Walker Art Center Minneapolis, MN
Manage media relations and serve as key media contact for select Walker programs:
• Performing Arts
• Education/Community Programs
• D'Amico Catering/Gather by D'Amico
• Walker Shop
• mnartists.org
• Rock the Garden
• International Cat Video Festival
Key responsibilities include:
• Regularly cultivate relationships with existing and new press contacts and independent writers/bloggers locally,
nationally, and internationally
• Develop and implement public relations strategies and initiatives
• Develop media relations plans and timelines
• Identify target publications and develop pitches for Walker programs
• Coordinate interviews with Walker staff and visiting artists
• Coordinate press events throughout the year including media previews and special access opportunities
• Interview curators, programmers, and other content experts in order to develop content for press materials
• Oversee press emails, online pressroom, and the development of specialized media kits
• Write and/or edit all Walker press releases, media alerts, public service announcements, and media-related materials
• Coordinate the electronic distribution of press materials—both via email and in the electronic pressroom
• Travel to meet with key contacts
• Understand the confluence of social media and traditional media relations strategies
• Leverage social media and Web 2.0 tools to enhance public relations efforts
• Cultivate relationships with influential bloggers and develop outside bloggers for Walker platforms
Key successes include:
• Promoted to Assistant Director, from PR Manager, in 2006
• Increased total media mentions and media impressions for the last three years
• Increased awareness of Walker Performing Arts events and commissions in local and national media
• Developed communications strategy for the Internet Cat Video Festival resulting in saturated, international
coverage that raised the event to pop culture status

2. Communications Consultant 07/1996 to 09/2004
Freelance Minneapolis, MN
Managed media relations strategy and execution as well as serve as media contact for a wide variety of art groups/events
• Clients included the Walker Art Center; Sound Unseen Film Festival; First Avenue; MN Spoken Word Association;
Glam Slam; All the Pretty Horses and many independent artists and musicians
Education
Bachelor of Arts: International Relations
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN, USA
1987-1991
Pursued a B.A.in International Relations
[Degree not conferred]
Coursework in Business, Communications and Advertising
Related Experience
• World Music DJ, area venues, formerly KMOJ, KFAI, Radio K
• Co-founder, Afrifest
• Member, PRSA, MN Chapter
• Member, Walker Art Center Diversity and Inclusion Work Group
• Director, Twin Cities Pan African Festival
• Former board member, Cedar Cultural Center
• Former Board President, Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO)
• Cable access producer/host, Playing with Fire, MTN
• Volunteer ESL instructor