behind the studio.
Kevin Burns, Founder & Principal Consultant, brings ten years of experience in grant writing and development strategy to the studio’s clients. He has raised and managed millions of dollars in grant awards for institutions across the US – from Juneau to New York – with a specialty in securing private foundation funding. His work has led to major awards from the Ford Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Warhol Foundation. Kevin holds interdisciplinary degrees in art history, philosophy, and English literature from the University of St Andrews (Scotland) and Baylor University.
Sam Giarratani, Project Management Consultant, brings hands-on experience producing large-scale public art to the studio and its clients, strengthening processes, tools, and team oversight. After years as public art manager for Hank Willis Thomas, Sam founded Negative Space, a company helping artists and organizations produce public artworks that advance social justice. Notable projects include Thomas’s The Embrace (2023) and Nekisha Durrett’s Hem of Heaven at the Obama Presidential Library (2026), as well as collaborations with PBS, Pioneer Works, Project for Empty Space, Creative Time, MASS Design Group, and public art programs nationwide.
Casey C. Powers, Executive Assistant, brings a background in executive support and stage management to the studio. Based in Juneau, Alaska, and originally from New Jersey, she also serves on the administrative staff of Perseverance Theatre (Douglas, AK) and Spice Juneau (Juneau, AK). As a stage manager, she has worked regionally and Off-Broadway with Perseverance Theatre, Chautauqua Theatre Company (Chautauqua, NY), Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (Garrison, NY), and others. Casey is also the Juneau representative for Stand Up Alaska, an organization working toward social and economic justice in the state.