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A Warm Welcome
As you might recall from our previous newsletter, Ted Cavooris, our Associate Director of Development, was recently promoted to a new position as the Director of Youth Outreach! He's been doing incredible work to foster the youth community at the Cinema Arts Centre, and we're excited to have him leading the charge on bringing in a new generation to our Cinema family.
In the absence of our Associate Director of Development, we went searching for a new member to join our team as Assistant to the Director of Development. After a long search, we're delighted to welcome Jason Salvant as the new addition to our Cinema Arts Centre team and family!
We sent Jason a few interview questions to try to get to know him better.
Tell us a little bit about your background and aspirations:
Hello! My name is Jason, and I'm a Long Island native, born and raised in Westbury. I graduated from Yale back in December of 2023 with a degree in English and Film Studies. As you might've guessed, I'm a huge fan of books, movies, and all things art. Over the past few years, I've done work in the production world through publishing, theatre, and personal projects, and now I'm glad to have found my place here with the Cinema. I care a lot about the art I find important being funded, platformed, and seen, so I'm hoping to continue down that path. I also enjoy creating my own work. In my spare time, I write (a lot), and I'm currently working on a writing and producing a film!
What first drew you to the Cinema Arts Centre?
I discovered the Cinema back in the summer of 2022, when I was searching for somewhere to watch Inland Empire by David Lynch (R.I.P). I was in total admiration of the place when I visited to watch the film. It was felt cozier than the larger theatres around me in Westbury and had all the experience I felt I was missing watching films alone. For a while after, I had to admire from afar through the mailing list as I finished up my time in college.
What is one thing you are really looking forward to in your new role?
A lot! I'm looking forward to working with René, getting to talk to people in the community, planning events, watching some movies. Right now, I'm excited for the Academy Awards Night coming up in March. I'm eager to help make it happen with the rest of the team, but it'll also be my first time at this event, so I'm excited to be there and experience it live.
What has been the most surprising thing you’ve learned so far?
I didn't expect the Tai Chi on Tuesdays.
You will be a primary contact for our members and donors if they have questions or need assistance. What is one thing you would like our members and donors to know about you?
I still need to get to know people, so if you spot me, feel free to say hi and chat!
As fundraisers, a big part of our job is to give people opportunities to act on their values. How do you think your new role will provide opportunities for you to act on your values?
I think my personal values and previous work are all united by a focus on people. In all the work I've done, I've seen how necessary it is to have the support of a community woven from different perspectives and passions — people need people. The Cinema really aims to be that space for that to happen, a community center and a home to art wrapped together. I think this role will give me the chance to have a part in resourcing a community that has that supportive power.
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