1. How do you envision expanding Rhode Island’s commitment to the arts?
My work has always been centered on making the arts accessible to all and centering racial equity. RISCA’s new strategic plan does just that. … We need to tell more stories and highlight how arts and culture contribute to the state’s well-being; how arts education drives innovation; how arts-based businesses create jobs; and how activities focused on arts and culture heal us.
2. What role will the arts have in the state’s economic development efforts under your tenure at RISCA?
We can partner more intentionally with R.I. Commerce [Corp.], statewide workforce development efforts and place-based economic inclusion. The RISCA staff has been working across departments to build relationships. And the education staff has opened a pathway from the state’s career and technical high schools directly to workforce development partners.
3. How can you apply to Rhode Island what you learned at your previous role as national program director of creative placemaking for Local Initiatives Support Corp.?
During my tenure with LISC, I had the privilege of working with artists, culture bearers and community leaders across the country. … When arts and culture are employed to create social connection, drive economic opportunity or create neighborhood visions for the future, we are using an asset-based approach to solving challenging problems. When we are intentional about exploring a place’s history, we can begin to heal and repair injustice. … I think we can do more in terms of technical assistance support and I think we need to be investing in place-based approaches.
4. What are some steps you plan to take to keep local communities engaged in the arts?
RISCA will continue to invest in local community partnerships. We work very closely with school districts across the state. And we are exploring ways to provide more direct support to cities and towns to incorporate arts and culture into their planning and development work.
5. What do you see as the biggest challenges to the growth of the arts and culture sector in the state?
In working nationally, I saw that the monetary investment in arts and culture [in Rhode Island] is not robust as in other places. We need to leverage other funding sources. … I’m excited to work across government to find new modes of support by working to integrate arts into all the efforts we have going on in the state, from commerce to climate change.