CV
Publications
Walker Street
Jordan Chesnut
Writer, curator, and arts organizer based in California.
Creative Practice
Jordan is a poet, playwright, and curator whose work exists both on the page and in the public sphere. Her writing has appeared in Jacket2, Tarpaulin Sky, and Adroit Journal, among others. She is the author of How Gross, My Séances (Plays Inverse / 53rd State Press, 2024) and curates the Edna Pocket Gallery in San Luis Obispo. She has taught writing at the University of Montana, Pomona College, and Hyperlink Academy.She is a Founding Partner of Walker Street, an artist-led creative venue located at 1335 Walker Street, San Luis Obispo.
Consulting
Jordan brings nearly a decade of senior leadership in the nonprofit arts sector to project-based consulting engagements. Her work is grounded in a graduate education in creative writing and the building of programs, relationships, and infrastructure from the ground up.She works with arts organizations, funders, and cultural agencies on:
＊Grant writing and management | Narrative development, application strategy, funder relationship management, and compliance support across local, state, and federal funding streams.
＊ Program design and planning | Building new programs or strengthening existing ones — from concept through implementation, with attention to community impact and organizational capacity.
＊ Interim and fractional executive support | Senior-level thinking and leadership for organizations in transition, growth, or strategic planning phases.
＊ Arts writing and curatorial projects | Exhibition writing, program documentation, impact reporting, and curatorial development for galleries, presenting organizations, and public art initiatives.
Available for project-based engagements. Based in San Luis Obispo; works remotely and regionally.