Aaron Martin

Biography

Aaron oversees the college’s Corporate and Foundations Relations Program. Aaron specializes in fundraising for the arts, with more than 15 years development and management experience with museums, visual and performing arts organizations and other nonprofits. Aaron most recently served as director of development at Contemporary Craft, successfully completing a $5.5 million capital campaign for a permanent new facility in Lawrenceville, while growing the organization’s foundation, individual giving, corporate and government funding program from 2017–2021. As director of development at Carnegie Museum of Art from 2015-2016, Aaron oversaw fundraising for the museum’s major programs and exhibitions, including the Carnegie International, 57th edition.

Prior to pursuing a career in fundraising, Aaron was an art educator, teaching inner city public middle and high school students in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. Aaron holds a BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design and studied Arts Administration at the University of Akron. Before relocating to Pittsburgh in 2012, Aaron served multiple museums and arts organizations, including Canton Museum of Art, Akron Art Museum, Mass MoCA and Ballet Western Reserve.

Martin's Role

Aaron works with CFA faculty and staff from across the schools of architecture, art, design, drama and music, as well as the Miller ICA, Frank-Ratchye STUDIO and BXA Intercollege Degree Programs, to design and deliver meaningful industry partnerships and grant programs that advance the collective knowledge and creative practice of the College of Fine Arts and the university at large.