Newark School of the Arts Makes a Historical Statement with the selection of its first, All-Female Executive Board

Newark, NJ (August 1, 2023) - During Newark School of the Arts’ Annual Board Meeting, NSA was pleased to announce the selection and election of an all female Executive Board.  Most notably, this selection includes its first African American Female President of the Board of Trustees. The historic moment was memorialized with plaque awards for outstanding Service and Leadership.

The Executive Board consisting of: Lori A. Scott-Pickens (Rutgers University), Carmen A. Corrales (Attorney), Denarra Simmons (Merck & Co) and Cristina M. Tarulli (PriceWaterhouseCoopers) was elated at the opportunity to represent professional women, supporting the performing and visual arts, education, youth and families everywhere. 

“Words cannot convey the feelings that I have about being elected as President of the NSA Board of Trustees and being the 1st woman to do so.  This is a full circle moment for me, having been a dance student at the school as a child. Getting recognized is an unexpected delight and I am grateful.  I am most humbled and honored to serve in this role with three other outstanding women; Carmen Corrales, Denarra Simmons and Cristina Tarulli. I don't take this responsibility lightly and will always work to promote the mission and goals of the NSA.” - Lori A. Scott-Pickens, NSA Board President.

“I am honored to serve on the board of the Newark School of the Arts and to be part of an Executive Committee that includes wonderful, insightful and dedicated women.” - Carmen A. Corrales, NSA Vice President.

“Art expression is a gift. Through art people practice skills that enhance creativity, innovation, perseverance and self-reflection. It is an honor to serve on the NSA Executive Board with such intentional, ambitious and transformational women.” - Denarra Simmons, NSA Board Secretary.

"I am deeply honored to be recognized alongside my Executive Committee colleagues [for] this accomplishment. I am proud to be a part of the ever growing Newark School of the Arts and its community. Thank you to the faculty, staff, students, parents, fellow Board members and all other contributors for continuing to believe in and support the School's important purpose and future." - Cristina Tarulli, NSA Board Treasurer.

BRIEF EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND OF NSA EXECUTIVE BOARD

Lori A. Scott-Pickens

Director of Outreach for the School of Criminal Justice- Rutgers University-Newark

Commissioner, Essex County Youth Services Commission

Associate Member,  National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives 

Recipient,  Dr, Clement Price, Human Dignity Award 2022- Rutgers University 

Bachelor of Arts-- Montclair State University 

MA, Public Affairs and Administration -- Rutgers University

Carmen A. Corrales

Retired partner of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, an international law firm.

B.A. University of Pennsylvania

J.D. Harvard Law School

Denarra Simmons

Proud Mom

Senior Scientist, Merck & Co.

B.A. Drew University

M.S  Biomedical Sciences Johns Hopkins University

Cristina Tarulli

Director, PwC

CPA

B.S. Accounting and Finance, Manhattan College 

The Newark School of the Arts (NSA) changes the lives of youth through access to high quality education in the performing and visual arts.  We do this by providing excellence in sequential arts education and training, offering an emerging state of the art learning environment, accepting students of all ages and abilities, and partnering with other successful arts educators while maintaining affordability and accessibility. 

The NSA provides high-level training in the performing and visual arts. Since 1968, the school has offered instruction for everyone with an interest in the arts regardless of age, talent, and financial resources. NSA is a family and community-oriented school that has served over 50,000 individuals since its inception and provides education for 750 students each week. The school serves children from age 3 months to senior citizens through long-term sequential training that often contributes to lifelong learning and professional careers in the arts. Many additional students have benefited from individualized instruction and became successful in other fields of endeavor. Through the emphasis of comprehensive arts education, all students are given opportunities to perform and exhibit in formal and informal settings. Specialized instruction is offered on all musical instruments, voice, music, dance (ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop, zumba, social dance), drama and the visual arts (drawing and painting, acrylic painting, clay hand-building, cartooning, jewelry design, digital photography, portfolio development). Ensemble training opportunities include dance workshops, string, wind, guitar, and percussion groups. Special programs are available for talented students and children of preschool age. Individuals with special needs and senior citizens are integrated into NSA programs. In addition to on-site training, the school also serves area preschools, public, charter and private schools as well as other organizations through special arrangement. The international faculty with degrees and advanced degrees from leading conservatories is chosen with a view toward professional competence and ability to work effectively with children and adults. Teachers strongly identify with the mission of the school. Some have remained with NSA for many years. Newark School of the Arts supported in-part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, and funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.  

The NSA received a 2016, 2017 and 2020 "Citation of Excellence" and was designated a "Major Presenting and Service Organization" by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Other major support comes from the City of Newark (CDBG/HUD), Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Prudential Foundation and Prudential Financial, Victoria Foundation, Turrell Fund, William Randolph Hearst Foundation, Inter-Atlantic Group, and Wells Fargo.

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