Seattle Arts Fellowship Announces Inaugural Cohort of Color

The initiative is for individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color and are seeking leadership positions in arts administration

As part of a bold new joint initiative to support emerging arts administrators and leaders of color, The Seattle Opera, Seattle Symphony, and Pacific Northwest Ballet have announced the inaugural cohort for the Seattle Arts Fellowship.

The fellowship is available to individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) or as ALAANA (African/African American (diaspora), Latinx, Asian, Arab, Native American/Indigenous, and Asian Pacific Islander), — and is catered to those just entering the workforce or those transitioning into nonprofit arts careers. Each fellow is placed at one of the presenting organizations for a year, with focuses on Marketing, Community Education, and Artistic Planning. 

The 2021-22 fellows are:

• Dalanie Harris, Seattle Symphony
• Kierra Nyugen, Seattle Opera
• Gabriela Paez Shutt, Pacific Northwest Ballet

The fellows will engage in hands-on work experience in administration and career development opportunities including leadership training, connecting with local arts leaders, and networking.

"The foundational goals of this fellowship uphold my belief that art and artists must be cared for in a way that will sustain their growth for generations to come," said Kierra Nguyen. "As a recent college graduate, I want to continue to engage in arts administrative roles that promote the arts in informed and innovative ways."