Last Wednesday, the School of Arts & Culture at MHP (SOAC) closed out its $1 million statewide workforce development initiative California Arts Council Administrators of Color Fellowship, or “CAC ACF” for short. The initiative was a part of an effort to increase representation in the arts administration field, which is a microcosm of the overall sector’s lack of equity and access to positions of influence.

The 2021 cohort included 10 individual Fellows paired with mentoring Host Organizations across 9 regions in CA both of who have been officially recognized by the state legislature for their commitment to uplifting an inclusive workforce and supporting the vibrancy of those that create and preserve the cultural identities of all California communities.

We’d like to recognize and celebrate the 10 individual Fellows and Host Organizations for their participation.

Fellow: Khalil Bleux (he/him)

REGION: INLAND EMPIRE | HOST ORGANIZATION: Riverside Art Museum.

Fellow: Theodore Davis (he/him) | REGION: CENTRAL VALLEY | HOST ORGANIZATION: Arte Americas

Fellow: Sarah Guerra (she/her)

REGION: BAY AREA (Oakland/Richmond) | HOST ORGANIZATION: The Richmond Art Center

Fellow: Nanette Kelley (she/her)

REGION: GREATER NORTHERN REGION (UPSTATE) | HOST ORGANIZATION: Ink People Center for the Arts

Fellow: Luisa Martínez (we/they/she)

REGION: SAN DIEGO AREA | HOST ORGANIZATION: The Museum of Us

Fellow: Eric Mora (he/him)

REGION: CENTRAL COAST | HOST ORGANIZATION: Santa Cruz MAH

Fellow: Betty Nguyễn (she/her)

REGION: BAY AREA (SAN JOSÉ)| HOST ORGANIZATION: Red Ladder

Fellow: Jade Puga (she/her)

REGION: GREATER LOS ANGELES | HOST ORGANIZATION: Avenue 50 Studio

Fellow: Javier Stell-Frésquez (she/he)

REGION: BAY AREA (SAN FRANCISCO) | HOST ORGANIZATION: World Arts West

Fellow: Beatrice Thomas (she/they)

REGION: GREATER NORTHERN REGION (CAPITAL)| HOST ORGANIZATION: Sol Collective