## **Purpose of this Guide** This guide outlines when and how to connect with our team, shares guiding principles that inform our work, and provides links to useful resources and assets. Whether you’re launching a major initiative, have just received an important recognition, or would like to share a compelling story, this guide provides a clear roadmap for how we can most effectively collaborate. ## **Who We Are** The UCLA Arts Strategic Communications team are storytellers, culture builders, strategists, creative problem solvers, and collaborators who develop content, campaigns, and initiatives that communicate and advance the institution’s mission, vision, and impact. - **[Anne Marie Burke](mailto:aburke@arts.ucla.edu)**, Assistant Dean, Strategic Communications - **[Kylie Carrigan](mailto:krcarrigan@arts.ucla.edu)**, Assistant Director, Communications and Digital Strategy - **[Sean Arenas](mailto:Sean.arenas@arts.ucla.edu)**, Assistant Director, Strategic Communications (Media Relations & Storytelling) ## **What We Do** UCLA Arts Strategic Communications advances the school’s mission, enhances its reputation, expands its audience, and inspires support through integrated strategic communications. Our work spans core messaging, brand strategy, media relations, storytelling, events and special projects, cross-campus partnerships, and more. We collaborate closely with colleagues across the school—including academic departments, research centers, public arts units, and key functional areas such as development, enrollment management, student services, Inclusive Excellence, and operations—to amplify their efforts and achieve shared objectives. Our comprehensive approach ensures cohesive and impactful communication that supports and elevates the entire UCLA Arts community. ## **Core Functions:** - Executive Communications - Issues Management - Media Relations - Events & Special Projects - Brand Essentials - Content Strategy (Storytelling) - Documentation - Data & Insights - Policy & Compliance ## **Guiding Principles** - **Institutional Values:** We align our work with UCLA’s values— _inclusive excellence_, _respect_, _integrity_, _accountability_, and _service_. - **Collaboration**: a consultative, collaborative approach informs how we work. - **Audience-centered storytelling**: we craft messages to foster engagement and community with students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, donors, friends, the UCLA community, and the broader arts community. - **Innovation:** We approach our work with _curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to experiment._ We embrace new ideas, make the most of available resources, and ensure we are ready to act when opportunity arises. - **Strategic impact**: our work is rooted in purpose, aligned with institutional priorities, and designed to produce meaningful outcomes. ## **When to contact us:** - To share research, news, events, or faculty/student stories - For writing or copyediting support - For media opportunities or preparation - For design support - To schedule documentation/photographer for a class or event - To update your unit’s website or collateral - For social media guidance or content amplification - For UCLA Arts branding guidance and assets - For help with related UCLA policy **For urgent, time sensitive, or issues management/crisis communications matters, please contact Anne Marie Burke, Assistant Dean, Strategic Communications at [aburke@arts.ucla.edu](mailto:aburke@arts.ucla.edu).** ## **How to contact us and request support:** To request non-urgent support from our team, please complete this [Strategic Communications Request Form (SCRF)](https://form.asana.com/?k=Vo6Eh2oqnHnnlC1LqM5_1Q&d=134753301162464) and we will get back to you as soon as possible.