fellowship program
program manager
Santa Fe Art Institute, NM
2017 - 2018 (program continues today) 

SFAI received a major grant from the Ford Foundation to launch a new program called “Story Maps” and I was hired to launch the program which still continues today. In the beginning, Story Maps described itself as “a fellowship program that mentors young, local, creative leaders of color in community engagement.”

Working with government and non-arts organizations, selected Story Maps Fellows gathered stories, created maps, visualized data and realized artworks over a ten-month fellowship term. This “mapping” of Santa Fe culminated in an annual, theme-based, community project.

As the program manager, I wrote, designed, and structured the program which happened in three phases, woven together via five themes:  Relationships & People, SFAI Annual Theme, Story Skills, Mapping Skills, and Creative & Professional Practice. I designed the selection process, including identifying and inviting panelists to participate in interviews. I also secured commitments from art-mentors and from city staff-mentors who worked with fellows directly.  I also developed and managed timelines and budgets for the program. Most enjoyably, I designed and led a number of programs that included workshops, conversations, activities, talks, and ritual.