New Nonprofit Established to Foster Artist Development
Founding Executive Director, Ben Nissen, is humbled to announce the establishment of the Jeffrey L. Nissen Arts Education and Development Fund, in a moving tribute to the legacy of his father. This New York-based nonprofit is dedicated to supporting artists in their pursuit of knowledge and enrichment through educational opportunities - helping to empower artists to achieve their full potential and enhance the future of the arts.
Jeffrey L. Nissen, a former partner at TRIAD Theatrical Lighting and Special Effects Company, was an artistic luminary. He provided distinctive lighting and special effects for theatrical productions and legendary rock concerts, including Pink Floyd, The Jackson Five, The Commodores, and KISS. His unwavering dedication and creativity became a guiding light for many artists, both within his family and within the broader artistic community.
"As we navigated the past year without him, my family and I asked ourselves - how can we best honor his legacy? Today, on what would've been his 67th birthday, I'm both humbled and proud to introduce this organization," said Ben Nissen, Founding Executive Director. "Our mission is simple: we want to support artists, help them grow, and empower them to reach their fullest potential. We aim to do for others what my dad did for us – create opportunities and foster a passion for the arts."
The inaugural board of directors of the nonprofit proudly includes Jeffrey L. Nissen's wife, Ellen Nissen, as well as a seasoned group of theatre industry professionals. Bringing their wealth of experience and passion to the organization, the board members are playwright and performer Joseph Allen (The Eulogy Approach), theatre educator Russell McCook (Bad People), Emursive’s Nicholas Puglia (Sleep No More), photographer Michaelah Reynolds, and Broadway performer Talia Suskauer (Wicked).
As a vibrant new organization in the arts sector, the Fund is eager to usher in a new era of support for artists, utilizing scholarships and other development initiatives to empower creatives in their journey.
