Life & Work with Jill Dunne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Dunne.

Hi Jill, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
My journey in the arts began when I was an undergrad at Northern Kentucky University, and it was an internship at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra that set the course for my future. I found my true calling in public relations and storytelling during the two-year stint. The experience exposed me to the world of promoting concerts for luminaries like Erich Kunzel and Jesús López Cobos, and it shaped a life-long love and appreciation for Cincinnati’s vibrant arts scene. 

After graduation, it was my role of Public Relations Manager at the Newport Aquarium that opened more doors to fascinating opportunities. From introducing the world to Scuba Santa on national television to coordinating a loggerhead sea turtle documentary in Bald Head Island, North Carolina, my journey became an adventure. As I grew my skills, I transitioned to an agency and eventually became the Public Affairs Manager for the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (Metro). Amidst the unfolding story of Cincinnati’s streetcar, I honed my communication skills, handling crises and uncovering heartwarming tales, like the USA Today feature on a couple who met on the bus and shared a lifelong love story. 

Becoming a mother during my time at Metro pushed my multitasking skills to new heights. Then, my heart led me to the Cincinnati Art Museum, my favorite spot in the city. As Marketing & Communications Director, I had the honor of being the museum’s spokesperson and worked with brilliant curators and experts. The experience was a dream come true, allowing me to build a remarkable team, earn international recognition for award-winning exhibitions, and share discoveries with outlets like CNN. I was promoted to Chief Communications Officer at the end of my tenure. 

After nearly eight years, I moved on to a corporate experience, and now I work at ArtWorks Cincinnati. Surrounded by monumental murals transforming neighborhoods, I quickly discovered the organization’s profound impact. ArtWorks has employed thousands of young and working artists, fostering community-based public art. In my first six months, I collaborated with an internationally renowned mural artist and witnessed the creation of numerous masterpieces, including Cincinnati’s first Pride Mural. 

Now, as part of the leadership team at ArtWorks, I look ahead to the future, fueled by the vision of our new creative campus in Walnut Hills. Working alongside CEO & Creative Director Colleen Houston, I am confident that our collective efforts will leave an indelible mark on the city. 

But Elizabeth, my 11-year-old, is my greatest story of all. I love watching her remarkable growth, talent, and love for the arts. Her solo at a choir concert and her burgeoning talent as an artist (one piece is on view this winter at the Rosenthal Education Center at the Cincinnati Art Museum) are among my most cherished moments—a testament to the enduring power of the arts in shaping lives. 

I’m excited to be so enmeshed in the arts in our city and to continue to be one of the narrators to unfold—one mural, one masterpiece, and one cherished moment at a time. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
With reflection, things look smoother than they felt at the time. Finding the right fit for me — roles that had the right balance — was certainly hard sometimes. In many roles, I am juggling the expectations of artists, orchestrating flawless events, and ensuring a seamless experience for the audience — it’s not easy. I’ve always had roles where I was involved in high-level planning along with the execution – so there’s never enough time. The work/life balance is always a challenge. At nonprofits, there aren’t enough resources. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Whether working in a corporate role or a nonprofit or agency, I’ve put being a storyteller first. I’m proud of the national attention I’ve brought to so many organizations in the Cincinnati region. I hope that all my contacts at media outlets see me as honest, dependable, and a great source for information. Now, I’m passionate about arts leadership and get true joy from learning about each project we work on at ArtWorks. I’m not afraid of getting my hands dirty. I love visiting mural sites, climbing up the scaffolding, and picking up a paintbrush. Hearing from the young artists is inspiring — and I love that the opportunities we provide change lives. 

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I’m one of five girls in my family, and we are all close; plus, my mom is one of my best friends. I have a lot of happy childhood memories, and some are my favorites are when I had one-on-one time with my mom. I remember being sick from school; she would make me tomato soup and grilled cheese, and we would watch The Price is Right together. In a big family, it was so nice when I had my mom’s undivided attention. Even if I was sick, I loved those moments of talking and being with her. Another favorite memory is when the whole family was together – I remember when all five sisters and my parents were jammed in the car to look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve every year. It was a tradition, and there was so much excitement for the holidays. The beauty of the lights, combined with the warmth inside the car on a freezing cold night. That’s the definition of cozy in my mind! 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artworkscincinnati.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artworkscincy/ https://www.instagram.com/writerjillie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtWorksCincinnati
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artworks-cincinnati/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jilldunne/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArtWorksCincy/ https://twitter.com/writerjillie/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/artworkscincinnati

Image Credits
Romain Mayambi
Scott Beseler