Cleo Barnett is a New Zealand-born creative director, public art curator, and impact strategist based between Guadalajara, Whidbey Island and Los Angeles.
She helps visionaries bring ambitious ideas to life—through strategy, storytelling, and soulful execution.
With nearly 20 years of experience at the intersection of public art, cultural storytelling, and creative leadership, Cleo has led everything from award-winning global media campaigns to intimate, immersive gatherings. As Executive Director of Amplifier, she has orchestrated historic campaigns that challenge societal norms and inspire collective empathy—distributing tens of millions of artworks that shift culture on a mass scale.
Her work is rooted in the belief that creative vision, when grounded in intention and clear systems, can spark meaningful transformation. Over the years, Cleo has helped raise tens of millions of dollars to support artists, storytellers, and grassroots communities. The campaigns she’s helped design and launch have reached hundreds of millions of people across every continent—from classroom walls to city streets.
Her creative direction spans narrative-driven impact campaigns, cultural movement building, and long-term placemaking initiatives that foster belonging. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, NASDAQ, and National Geographic, and exhibited in institutions like the Brooklyn Museum and the Bill & Melinda Gates Discovery Center.
With an M.A. in Art and Public Policy from NYU and a B.A. in Political Science and International Business from the University of Auckland, Cleo brings both soulful clarity and strategic depth to every collaboration. At the core of her work is a belief in art’s ability to foster empathy, reimagine systems, and unite communities in times of change.
CV / HIGHLIGHTS
CURRENT ROLES
Executive Director, Amplifier (2016–Present)
– Raised $10M+ reinvested into cultural initiatives and over 1,000 artist commissions
– Led award-winning global campaigns that have reached hundreds of millions
– Fostered a highly collaborative team culture with long-term staff retention
– Co-built one of the largest educator networks in the U.S. using art to support critical thinking, media literacy, and civic learning in the classroom
Founder & Creative Strategist, Cleo Barnett Limited (2009–Present)
– Produced 300+ public art and cultural activations across five continents
– Specializes in creative direction, impact strategy, and large-scale public storytelling
– Partners with values-aligned entrepreneurs, governments, and mission-driven brands to shape culture and reimagine systems
EDUCATION
• M.A. Art and Public Policy – New York University
• B.A. International Business – Auckland University
• B.A. Political Science – Auckland University
SELECT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
• Parsons School of Design, New York (2024) – Guest Speaker
• Bend Design: Conversations for Changemakers, Oregon (2023) – Keynote Speaker
• University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine, Creating Healthy Communities, Florida (2022) – Presenter
• Unity for Humanity Summit, Digital (2022) – Guest Speaker
• Women on the Frontlines, March for Science, Digital (2021) – Guest Lecturer
• Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis (2021) – Guest Speaker
• Unfinished Live, New York (2021) – Panelist
• KCTS 9, Community Event for Civic Engagement, Digital (2020) – Guest Speaker
• The Empathy Tour, Digital (2020) – Guest Speaker
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Staff Lecture Series, Seattle (2019) – Guest Speaker
• Impact Hub Athens: 5 Years of Impact, Athens, Greece (2019) – Guest Speaker
• The Festival of the New, New School, New York (2019) – Workshop Leader
• Hubweek, Boston (2018) – Keynote Speaker
• Design Lecture Series, Seattle Public Library, Seattle (2018) – In Conversation with Bonnie Siegler
• Brooklyn Museum Design Conference, New York (2017) – Keynote Speaker
FELLOWSHIPS & AWARDS
• Salzburg Global Fellow – Creating Futures: Art of Narrative (2025)
• Lorraine Branham IDEA Award – Syracuse University (2023)
• Creative Change Retreat – Participant (2019)
• Harness – Member (2017–Present)
• Loisaida Center Fellowship – Artist Residency (2017)
• NYU Research Fellowship (2016)
