Sarah Nelson Application PackageNelson Sarah G
Last Name First Name Middle Initial
Please use business address Miami Beach
Home Address City
FL 33140
State Zip Code
HomeWork
sg221@yahoo.com
Email Address
773-960-2484
Cellular
Miami Beach
Business Address
975 Arthur Godfrey Road, Suite 600
City
FL
State
33140
Zip Code
Less is More Organizing Services
Occupation:Business Name:
Architectural historian and professional organizer
Please list your preferences in order of ranking [1] first choice [2] second choice, and [3] third choice. Please note
that only three (3) choices will be observed by the City Clerk’s Office. (Regular Boards of City)
Choice 1:
Choice 2:
Choice 3:
Design Review Board
Historic Preservation Board
Planning Board
BOARD AND COMMITTEE
APPLICATION FORM
Note:If applying for the At-Large position of the Historic Preservation Board, please answer the below
questions:
Have you ever resided in one of the City's Historic Districts for at least one year?Yes
No Address in City Historic District submitted.
Professional License
No Professional Licenses Submitted.
Note:If you are seeking appointment to a professional seat (e.g. attorney, architect, etc.), you must attach a copy of
your currently effective corresponding professional license.
Pursuant to City Code section 2-22(4) a, b and c: Members of Agencies, Boards, and Committees shall be
affiliated with the city. This requirement shall be fulfilled in the following ways:
YesResident of the City for a minimum of six (6) months:
Demonstrate an ownership interest in a business established in the City for a minimum of six (6) months:Yes
AFFILIATION WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
a.
● I am resident of:Middle Beach
Or
b.
"Ownership Interest" shall mean the ownership of ten percent (10%) or more (including the ownership of 10%
or more of the outstanding capital stock) in a business.
"Business" shall mean any sole proprietorship, sponsorship, corporation, limited liability company, or other
entity or business association.
c.Full-time employee of such a business (for a minimum of six months); and I am based in an office or
other location of the business that is physically located in Miami Beach (for a minimum of six months):No
Notwithstanding the requirements set forth herein, the qualified full-time employee of a business must be
approved by a 4/7th vote of the Mayor and City Commission.
NOTE: Members of Agencies, Boards, and Committees shall be required to demonstrate compliance with the
City affiliation requirements of section 2-22 (4) a and b of the Miami Beach City Code by executing an affidavit,
stipulating that they have met either (or both) of said affiliation requirements. The original affidavit shall be filled
with the Office of the City Clerk prior to being sworn in as a member.
Or
No● Have you ever been convicted of a felony:If yes, please explain in detail:
● Do you currently have a violation(s) of City of Miami Beach codes:No If yes, please explain in detail:
● Do you currently owe the City of Miami Beach any money:No If yes, please explain in detail:
● Are you currently serving on any City Boards or Committees:Yes If yes, which board?
DRB
● Are you presently a registered lobbyist with the City of Miami Beach?No
● I am applying for an appointment because I have special abilities, knowledge and experience. Please list below:
I am an art and architectural historian who is a 3rd generation native of Miami Beach currently raising generation
number four. In fact, my grandfather founded the DRB in the early 1990s. I have a BA in the History of Art and
Architecture with a minor in Urban Studies from Brown University, and a Master's Degree in Art History, Theory
and Criticism from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I am the co-author of Designing the Good Life:
Norman M. Giller and the Development of MiMo (University Press of Florida, 2007).
I was appointed to the DRB January 2020. I was selected by the board members to serve as Vice Chair spring
2020, and then selected to serve as Chairwoman summer 2023.
NOTE: IF APPOINTED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW CERTAIN LAWS THAT APPLY TO CITY
BOARD/COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THESE LAWS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
o Prohibition from directly or indirectly lobbying city personnel (Miami Beach City Code section 2-459).
o Prohibition from contracting with the city (Miami-Dade County Code section 2-11.1).
o Prohibition from lobbying before board/committee you have served on for period of one year after leaving office
(Miami Beach Code section 2-26)
o Requirement to disclose certain financial interests and gifts (Miami-Dade County Code section 2-11.1).
o Sunshine Law - Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law was enacted in 1967. Today, the Sunshine Law
regarding open government can be found in Chapter 286 of the Florida Statutes. These statutes establish a basic
right of access to most meetings of Boards, Commissions, and other governing bodies of state and local
governmental agencies or authorities.
o Voting conflict - Form 8B is for use by any person serving at the county, city, or other local level of government on
an appointed or elected Board, Council, Commission, Authority, or Committee. It applies equality to members of
advisory and non-advisory bodies who are presented with a voting conflict of interest under Section 112.3143.
Florida Statutes.
o Commencing with terms beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and as a condition of applying for appointment to
a City agency, board, or committee, each applicant must voluntarily agree that in the event the applicant files with
the City Clerk a Statement of Candidate formally announcing candidacy for City elective office, such filing with the
City Clerk shall be deemed a tender of resignation from the City agency, board or committee, and the member's
automatic resignation shall thereby immediately create a vacancy in the agency, board, or committee.
● In what organization(s) in the City of Miami Beach do you currently hold membership in?
Name Position
Temple Beth Sholom member
100 Women Who Care - Miami Beach Chapter member
● List the address of all properties owned or in which you have an interest within the City of Miami Beach:
Property
My home at 4500 N Meridian Ave.
If so, which department and title?No● Are you now employed by the City of Miami Beach:
● Pursuant to City Code Section 2-25 (b):
Do you have a parent, spouse, child, brother, or sister who is employed by the City of Miami Beach?No
If "Yes", identify person(s) and department(s):
No relative's information submitted.
BOARD & COMMITTEE FINANCIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT
Acknowledgement of fines/suspension for Board/Committee Members for failure to comply with
Miami-Dade County Financial Disclosure Code Section 2-11.1(i)(2)
I understand that no later than July 1, of each year all members of Boards and Committees of the City of Miami
Beach, including those of a purely advisory nature, are required to comply with Miami-Dade County Financial
Disclosure Requirements.
One of the following forms must be filled with the City Clerk of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,
Miami Beach, Florida, no later than 12:00 noon of July 1, of each year:
1. A "Source of Income Statement;" or
2. A "Statement of Financial Interests (Form 1)¹ ;" or
3. A Copy of your latest Federal Income Tax Return.
Failure to file one of these forms, pursuant to the Miami-Dade County Code, may subject the person to a fine of no
more than $500, 60 days in jail, or both.
_____________________________
¹ Members of the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment will be notified directly by the State of Florida, pursuant
to F.S. §112.3145(1)(a), to file a Statement of Financial Interests (Form 1) with the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of
Elections by 12:00 noon, July 1. Planning Board and Board of Adjustment members who file their Form 1 with the
County Supervisor of Elections automatically satisfy the County’s financial disclosure requirement as a Miami Beach
City Board/Committee member and need not file an additional form with the Office of the City Clerk. However,
compliance with the County disclosure requirement does not satisfy the State requirement.
DIVERSITY STATISTICS REPORT
The following information is voluntary and has no bearing on your consideration for appointment. It is being asked to
comply with City diversity reporting requirements.
WhiteRace/Ethnic Categories
What is your race?
No details providedOther Description:
Gender:Female
Are you Spanish/Hispanic/ Latino? Mark the "No" box if not Spanish / Hispanic /
Latino.
No
Physically Challenged:No
I HEREBY ATTEST TO THE ACCURACY AND TRUTHFULNESS OF THE APPLICATION; AND I HAVE
RECEIVED, READ AND WILL ABIDE BY CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE VII, OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE,
ENTITLED “STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR CITY OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENCY MEMBERS AND
ALL OTHER APPLICABLE COUNTY AND/OR STATE LAWS AND STATUTES ACCORDINGLY.”
I Sarah Nelson agreed to the following terms on 12/4/2023 1:53:02 PM
Received in the City Clerk's Office by:
Name of Deputy Clerk Control No. Date
Board and Committee Application Checklist: Please ensure you have provided all information before applying or
reapplying to any Board and Committee.
YES
YES
YES
YES
I have answered all questions fully.
I have uploaded a current resume, photograph, and a copy of any applicable professional license.
I have completed and attached the Board & Committee Financial Acknowledgment Statement.
I have completed and attached the Diversity Statistics Report.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the City Clerk via email: BC@miamibeachfl.gov or
telephone: 305.673.7411
Note: Florida Statutes 119.071: The role of the Office of the City Clerk is to receive and maintain forms filed as
public records. If your home address, telephone numbers, and/or photograph are exempt from disclosure and you
do not wish your home address, telephone numbers, and/or photograph to be made public, please:
1) Use your office or other address for your mailing address;
2) Use your office or other telephone number for your contact number; and
3) Do not attach a photograph.
YES I voluntarily agree to the resignation from the City agency, board, or committee, if I file a Statement
of Candidate for a City Elective Office (1).
(1) I understand that commencing with terms beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and as a condition of applying for
appointment to a City agency, board, or committee, I must voluntarily agree that in the event I file with the City Clerk a
Statement of Candidate formally announcing candidacy for City elective office, such filing with the City Clerk shall be deemed
a tender of resignation from the City agency, board, or committee.
SARA H GILLER NELSON
4500 N Meridian Ave • Miami Beach, FL 33140 • Phone : 305.912.7890 • Email: sg221@yahoo.com
E D U C A T I O N
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• M.A. Modern Art History, Theory, & Criticism, May 2001
Brown University, Providence, RI
• B.A. History of Art and Architecture, May 1997
Sarah Lawrence College in Florence, Florence, Italy
• Spring semester abroad, January – June 1996
E X P E R I E N C E A N D I N I T I A T I V E S
Less is More Organizing Services, Miami Beach, FL Jan. 2010 – present
Owner
• Run a successful professional organizing business with offices in two states.
• Taught hundreds of overwhelmed clients how to declutter, save time, and keep their homes
organized.
• Re-design interior spaces to make them more functional, efficient, and be autiful.
• Oversee a team of four organizers. Train new organizers as needed.
• Drive sales through social media marketing, special events, networking, and public speaking.
• Design all marketing materials.
• Manage company website.
Spertus Museum, Chicago, IL
Assistant Curator Nov. 2005- Dec. 2008
• Secured and coordinated loans, wrote labels and exhibition texts, and served as photography
and rights editor for the catalogue for the exhibition A Force for Change: African American Art
and the Julius Rosenwald Fund.
• Oversaw production, wrote artist essays, and compiled biographical and bibliographic
information for the exhibition catalogue, The New Authentics: Artists of the Post-Jewish
Generation.
• Curated the local component of the exhibition The Other Promised Land: Vacationing, Identity
and the Jewish American Dream.
• Organized panel discussions, performances, and lectures presented in conjunction with museum
exhibitions.
• Oversaw the design, production, and distribution of marketing materials, including print and web
advertisements, flyers, invitations, and postcards.
• Cultivated new audiences through the development of extensive contact lists and outreach
efforts.
• Led tours of the permanent collection and special exhibitions.
• Managed interns and volunteers.
• Led training courses for museum docents.
• Conducted research on artists of interest.
Designing the Good Life: Norman M. Giller and the Development of Miami Modernism
Co-Author Nov. 2003- August 2006
• Wrote and designed the 180+ page book about the mid-century modern works of well-known
Miami architect Norman M. Giller.
• Conducted extensive research about postwar visual culture – architecture, design, fashion, art, pop culture.
• Organized and managed Mr. Giller’s image archive, processing loan requests and research
inquiries as necessary.
Donald Young Gallery, Chicago, IL
Assistant Director August 2002 – October 2003
• Managed the gallery when the owner attended art fairs in New York, Basel and Miami.
• Provided assistance with the development of exhibitions and events, including making shipping
arrangements, developing exhibition text, and serving as a liaison to the artist and the press.
• Re-designed and managed the gallery’s website.
• Compiled and distributed information to collectors, curators, and scholars about the artists the
gallery represents.
• Maintained image archive and processed image rights requests.
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Museum Education May 2001- 2010
Graduate Student Lecturer, Department of Museum Education January 2000 - July 2000
• Prepare, organize, and lead thematic tours about the permanent collection for museum goers.
• Complete art historical research in conjunction with the lectures.
Communications Assistant, Department of Museum Education Nov. 2001- August 2002
• Initiated regular meetings of the Museum Education Support Staff, as a means of keeping staff
members up-to-date on departmental events and programs.
• Answered inquiries by the general public regarding museum events and programs.
• Streamlined office procedures and provided administrative support.
• Compiled and edited weekly calendars, event signage, and flyers.
Teacher’s Assistant, Department of Art History Sept. 2000 – May 2001
• Lead two gallery-based discussion sections of the History of Art and Architecture Survey.
• Prepared and organized lessons, assignments, and exams.
Intern, Department of Modern and Contemporary Art Sept. 1999 - May 2000
• Prepared biographic and bibliographic information on artists featured in the museum’s Focus
exhibitions, including Thomas Hirshorn and Olafur Eliasson.
• Researched artists for staff lectures.
PAMM, Miami, FL
Curatorial Assistant June 1998 – June 1999
• Assisted in the planning and coordination of Re-Aligning Vision: Alternative Currents in South
American Drawing and New Work: Nancy Rubins.
• Coordinated the exhibition proposal review process.
• Organized Exhibition Committee meetings and Acquisition Committee meetings.
• Managed files on artists, collectors, and other arts institutions.
• Updated curatorial files and 1,800 volume curatorial library.
Development Assistant August 1997 – June 1998
• Assisted in the development of a number of grants and proposals, including IMLS.
• Responsible for various administrative and secretarial tasks.
Jewish Museum of Florida, Miami Beach, FL
Curatorial Assistant Summers 1993-1996
• Transformed a collection of over 7,000 items into a well-organized working archive.
• Supervised a corps of museum volunteers.
• Answered research inquiries.
O T H E R E X P E R I E N C E S , S K I L L S , & I N T E R E S T S
• Contributing essayist, Miami Modern Metropolis: Mid-century Architecture & Urbanism in the
Tropics (New York: Thames and Hudson, 2009).
• Guest lecturer, Survey of Modern of Art and Architecture, School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
• Juror, Drawing the Line, The Jewish Women Artist’s Network National Juried Exhibition, Beverly Art
Center, Chicago, 2010