Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona Project Creosote grantee Apache Skateboards Collective pictured in their most recent series titled, Future Intercept, a project that presents Native Futurism and how it affects Native communities. Photo by Douglas Miles Sr.
Adriana Gallego recalled that she joined the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona as executive director during the April 2020 Pink Supermoon. Gallego marked this time with the astronomical phenomenon because it signifies changes, new growth, and adaptability, all of which she has channeled since the beginning of her tenure.
The past two years have not only been the start of something new for Gallego, but for the whole foundation, which has welcomed four new staff members since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Despite this transitional time, the Arts Foundation, which was recommended for a $500,000 American Rescue Plan (ARP) grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in November 2021, took great strides to fulfill their mission of inclusivity and support for local artists and arts organizations.
The Arts Foundation was incorporated in 1971 to serve Tucson, but over the years has expanded to serve Pima County and the greater Southern Arizona region. This shift reflects the vision of the agency to serve a community and region rich in culture and both urban and rural communities. As a local arts agency, the foundation’s regular activities include managing the public art process for the city and county, providing grant opportunities, and supporting professional development for artists and arts organizations in Tucson and Southern Arizona.
The Southern Arizona creative economy was hit hard by the pandemic. Four months into the pandemic, Tucson ranked third nationally for creative jobs lost in the sector, and at seven months in, the Arts Foundation surveyed 300 local artists and organizations which reported a loss of more than $26 million.
Despite the challenges in 2021, the foundation distributed 500 grants totaling $2.2 million to artists, youth, collectives, and organizations reaching 66 percent first-time applicants, 75 percent BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) grantees in five counties, three Native sovereign nations, and spanning three congressional districts. In the past few years, the foundation has also jumpstarted new programs, including the inaugural AZ Creative Flowers series, a partnership with Unlock Creative for 29 Black women creatives interested in creativity, and reinvented the model for Open Studio Tours as a virtual marketplace with workshops and 40 virtual studio tours.
“It is surely because of the work of my predecessors and the labor of love that they put into this organization and this region for many, many years, and that stressed building programs and basic initiatives that really put Tucson on the map,” said Gallego of her team’s ability to continue supporting the Tucson arts community even in difficult times.
“Tucson is home to thousands of artists, over 200 non-profits, and many more collectives in all disciplines,” added Arts Foundation Communications Manager Jenea Sanchez. “The American Rescue Plan funding is helping us invest …….