Instagram: @juliannacrespo
jcrespo@theatricals.org
Julianna Crespo is a seasoned arts administrator with more than a decade of experience strengthening arts ecosystems across the region. Rooted in her Chicana heritage and a deep commitment to community-building, she has partnered with hundreds of local and national arts organizations, bringing a relationship-centered approach to her work.
Her career spans both corporate and nonprofit sectors, with expertise in project and event management, program development, talent booking, educational outreach and mentorship. Julianna is recognized for revitalizing business models for the arts, leading significant organizational expansion and revenue growth. She is known for driving strategic development, cultivating impactful partnerships, and securing meaningful funding for arts initiatives. Her work has broadened access to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido’s stages and programs, strengthened inclusion efforts, and helped bring nationally touring acts to North County San Diego.
She and her teams have launched new arts programs, established community engagement frameworks, and secured more than $1 million in seed funding pledges for a theatrical conservatory. Julianna also played a pivotal role in expanding professional theatre in Escondido through early collaborations with regional, critically acclaimed theatre organizations.
Her contributions have been recognized with the San Diego Critics Circle Don Braunagel Award for Outstanding Achievement of a Small Theatre, an Escondido City Council Award for Outstanding Service, and a California State Board of Equalization Recognition for Empowering Women in Leadership. She was also featured in season three of the Emmy Award–winning series Theater Corner discussing the founding of the Dorris Staples Theatrical Conservatory and the importance of inclusion in the arts.
Julianna is a member of California Presenters, Western Arts Alliance, the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, the San Diego Performing Arts League, and Americans for the Arts. She also serves on the CSUSM Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences.
