Influential Woman · Arts Consulting
Carol S. Ward
Founder, Outside the Lines Consulting
West Boylston, MA 01583
Her Story
About Carol S.
Carol S. Ward is an arts leader and consultant with more than 20 years of experience spanning museum leadership, nonprofit management, financial oversight, fundraising, strategic planning, and grant-winning program development. She is currently Executive Director of Artisan's Asylum, Inc. in Boston, a position she has held since January 2025. She also leads Outside the Lines Consulting, which she founded in 2017 to help nonprofits and emerging contemporary artists create pop-up galleries, installations, and workshops. Her firm also teaches artists to market themselves and build their businesses, and that work now makes up roughly 75-80% of her practice.
Earlier in her career, Ward directed the Morris-Jumel Mansion in Washington Heights, New York City, where she collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda during the early development of Hamilton and organized an exhibition with artist Yinka Shonibare. She later served as Executive Director of the Lexington Historical Society, Associate Executive Director of the Worcester Historical Museum, and Development Consultant for Mechanics Hall. In partnership with Shashama, an organization that donates vacant real estate to artists and curators, she curated a post-COVID exhibition of five Latino artists that drew strong exposure and sales. Ward is the author of Visions of America: The Morris-Jumel Mansion (2015), has appeared in the documentary about the making of Hamilton, and has written for publications including The Magazine Antiques and the American Alliance of Museums Magazine. She has also delivered keynotes and conference presentations for CLHO, NYCMER, Mary Washington College, and the New-York Historical Society.
Ward holds a BA in Art History from the University of Mary Washington, a master's in Museum Education from The College of New Rochelle, an MA in Art History from Hunter College, and a certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Florida Atlantic University. Her honors include the 40 Under 40 Rising Star Award from the Business Council of Westchester and completion of the Launch 1000 incubator, which came with a $5,000 grant. She is a member of the American Alliance of Museums and Vice President of the Board of Trustees at Journey Lab. She credits mentors Frank Vignone, Jim Totis, and Ron Miller with amplifying her voice and helping her earn a seat at the table. Looking ahead, she plans to grow her consulting business and launch Outside the Lines Gallery, a roving gallery that would showcase emerging artists in empty commercial spaces.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carol S.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong support system and the perseverance to work through difficult times, including the loss of my father and challenges in my career. A close friend often says, "If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together," and that philosophy guides me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I was advised to concentrate on developing people skills instead of aiming solely to become a curator, and to gain real-world experience through a job before pursuing further education. My professor, Tom Soma, encouraged me to take a job right after college, even in retail, to learn how the working world operates.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Your path will rarely be straight; expect it to be winding and full of unexpected turns. There is always something to learn along the way, and those lessons ultimately make you stronger.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is the tension between traditional and newer approaches in the art world, where the establishment often overlooks alternative methods of exhibiting and representing artists. The greatest opportunity is making art more accessible to a broader audience and countering the perception that the field is elitist.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Dedication, resiliency, and finding joy matter most to me. I give my full effort at all times, stay resilient through setbacks, and look for moments of fun even on the most stressful days.
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