PHOTO CREDIT: Ron Jenkins
ABOUT
THE FOUNDER
In October 2022, Afton founded BMG Consulting, inspired by the need for arts administrators with specific skill sets, forming a network that centers the work and voices of BIPOC and women administrators. Having maintained a successful career as a Dramatic Soprano before turning to arts administration, Afton believes in the power and importance of embodying the change we want to see. As a professional arts administrator and fundraiser with fifteen years’ experience in nonprofit management, Afton has partnered with some of the country’s leading arts institutions whose mission and values align with her passion and career trajectory. Her expertise is steeped in fundraising, executive management, strategic planning and civic practices in the performing and visual arts space. From Texas to Chicago and New York City, Afton has successfully raised millions of dollars as a fundraiser and changed the landscape of Opera.
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A thought leader in advancing and broadening classical music’s cultural influence, Afton believes in supporting the evolution of the multi-hyphenated artist, mentoring the next generation of administrators and serving the community whose shoulders we stand on. A mentor for the 2022-2023 OPERA America Opera Leaders of Color Cohort, 2025 Sphinx LEAD cohort, and Opera Theatre St. Louis Clayco Future Leaders Fellowship, Afton currently serves on the board of OPERA America as Co-Chair of the Membership Council.
PASSION + PURPOSE
Afton’s dedication to giving back and pouring herself into the performing arts allows her to adjust her work style and outcomes based on the needs of her clients. An activist and ambassador for change, Afton’s work focuses on deepening engagement of both internal and external constituencies through impact and civic practices. Throughout her career, she has addressed the evolution of the classical performing arts, and continues to ask the question: what will the next 30 years of the classical performing arts look like?
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Her fire is ignited by her passion for inclusivity, access, and equity for every human. This drives her mission to ensure every person has a seat at the table and an active voice in the conversation.
PHOTO CREDIT: Raymond Ciborowski
WHAT WE DO
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As an artistic visual storyteller, Afton’s work is designed to help guide institutions on their journeys to become effective civic partners, sharing their missions, visions and efforts with the community they serve. She partners with Executive leadership to identify and bridge the gaps between artists and companies and determine what stands between them and their holistic engagement of the performing arts. For institutions in transition, her method is designed to support Boards and internal stakeholders when additional assistance is needed most. This is realized, in part, by leading the process to synthesize existing strategic plans, core values and culture to create and share a powerful message to keep communities engaged while a search for a permanent leader is underway.
As your consultant, Afton is dedicated to helping her clients cultivate strong external relationships that allow your non-profit organization to successfully offer and administer programming that targets your intended audience; enriches your community through intentional civic practices; supports a thriving artistic culture and brings the best of your cultural institution to the diverse communities by which it is served.
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As a multi-hyphenated administrator, Afton is dedicated to supporting artists at every juncture of their career. Consulting services are available for career transition, 1:1 coaching in areas of arts administration and fundraising, project and production support and more. From crafting job descriptions, managing daily business operations, supporting Board and Governance functions, among a variety of other administrative responsibilities, Afton has the experience and expertise needed to ensure companies are capable of managing sustainability and artists have reliable resources--in which they can find support and guidance.
OUR CORE VALUES
CHANGE IS HARD AND NECESSARY
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To effect sustainable and impactful change, everyone must be called into the conversation, everyone must be activated and free to speak and everyone should be intentional about the conversation.
GENUINESS AND AUTHENTICITY ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF INTENTIONALITY
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Inclusivity and Equity cannot be achieved where Paternalism lives.
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LEAVING THIS WORLD BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT
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All art is a common good. Accessibility to quality, engaging and impactful art shouldn’t be something one has to choose over livelihood necessities. Everyone needs and deserves to have art in their lives.