A New Network for Arts Administrators of Color

It happened! ArtsBoston has launched a Network for Arts Administrators of Color to support and address the professional needs of people of color working in Greater Boston’s arts and culture sector.

The idea for the network came from my desire to connect with other arts administrators of color, especially as a newbie in the field and as the only fulltime person of color currently on staff. Before joining ArtsBoston last year, I spent the majority of my professional career in higher education as an undergraduate admission officer recruiting students of color, low income students, and students from other underrepresented communities. During my tenure, I was fortunate enough to learn from, connect with, and belong to ABAFOILSS, a networks for admission and financial aid officers of color in the Ivy League and Seven Sister schools.

After ten years in higher education, I wanted to get back into the arts, and ArtsBoston seemed the right place to work as someone who grew up in Boston loving the arts community and vividly remembers frequent visits to the Copley BosTix Booth as a child. My mother would actually idle the car by the booth while I scurried over to get our tickets. I also wanted to work for an organization committed to providing access to the arts and one that would allow me to continue my work in diversity, equity, and inclusion in this sector. I have spent the past year in conversations with other arts service organizations like the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance which runs the Urban Arts Leadership Program and our Member Organizations about launching this network – so – here we are!

On July 26, between bites of Queso Fundido Empanadas and Chile Almond Stuffed Dates, forty of Greater Boston’s arts administrators of color gathered to meet for the first time.

Staff members from ArtsEmerson, BAMS Fest, Boston Lyric Opera, Madison Park Development Corporation, The Up Truck, and more spent two hours getting acquainted and sharing stories of their work in the field. We have been surprised and delighted by the response, with nearly 100 administrators already signed-up to join the network. We are even more excited to see what the future holds for this network and for conversations and actions surrounding diversity and inclusion in greater Boston’s arts and cultural sector.

The Network Goals:
To serve as a resource for people of color in arts administration seeking to connect and support each other in their work through formal meetings, informal social gatherings, and professional development opportunities.

How to get involved:
To hear about upcoming events and other news, fill out this form here: https://goo.gl/YwSMtA.

Who should participate:
Self-identifying people of color working in a full-time or part-time administrative capacity at non-profit or for-profit arts and cultural organizations in the region.

For more information, contact us.