Fresh Arts focuses on diversity

When artists and creative entrepreneurs attended Fresh Arts events before the onset of COVID-19, they saw a diverse representation of people that fostered an inclusive environment — a valuable resource for artists of color.

But because of the pandemic, the arts nonprofit made a point to continue their emphasis on diversity through virtual content by highlighting artists of color in online workshops and discussions.

“They will always be mindful that this person is from the African American community, this person is from Africa, this person is Asian America, this person is Hispanic American,” said local theater artist Neisha Bently. “I think if you’re trying to report the image of inclusivity you would host your events in that manner.”

Fresh Arts is a nonprofit that helps local artists and creative entrepreneurs succeed in the business of art. Fresh Arts treats the arts as any other industry, understanding financial success comes from a strong business acumen. Through their artist-centered community programs, they offer resource sharing and skill-building initiatives to help advance their careers.

Immediately responding to news that Houston would be following work-from-home guidelines, on March 17 Fresh Arts launched the first of many virtual programs aimed at amplifying efforts and support of Houston’s creative community.

“We have reached nearly 30,000 users from all parts of the world,” said Marci Dallas, executive director of Fresh Arts in a news release. “We are reaching twice as many artists and arts lead organizations as we were offline. We’re able to do that even more effectively now by meeting them where they are.”

Fresh Art’s strategy was to leverage what they’re good at, which was nurturing a good online following, and talk to people who already want to talk to them, then work based on that, according to Fresh Art’s programs outreach coordinator Reyes Ramirez.

Every Tuesday, Fresh Arts launches Arts on Tap LIVE on Instagram TV, featuring artist interviews and behind the scenes scoops on local art happenings. On the first and third Tuesday of the month, audiences can participate in the Resource Round-up, hosted by Ramirez, on Facebook Live that featured special guests and informs viewers on available resources and upcoming opportunities. Fresh Arts also recently launched a Facebook Live Conversation Series that is broadcasted every Thursday, where local artists talk about how they are adapting and staying engaged during the pandemic.

Beginning in August, Fresh Arts will also launch a monthly podcast discussion on career development.

Online content provides artists with an opportunity to remain engaged with their audiences throughout the shutdown, such as mezzo-soprano opera singer Jessica Blau whose work, Sonquete Iberoamericanx, was rescheduled due to COVID-19.

“The fact that Fresh Arts is there to help support some of us artists who are trying to create our own work and really showcase different kinds of projects, it really helps individual artists,” said Blau.

Still, many Houston creatives are not aware of Fresh Arts, including many artists of color. According to Bentley, many African American artists she knows do not affiliate with what they consider “non-black organizations.”

“Working in the theatre community, there’s the Ensemble Theatre community, then there’s everyone else,” said Bentley, referencing Houston’s Ensemble Theatre, an African American ran theatre company which works to bring Black Theatre to the Houston community.

In Bentley’s conversations with African American artists, many will say, “’Oh, I thought it was just for white people’, and I’ve found myself having to explain that it’s really open to all of us.”

According to Ramirez, Fresh Arts understands that Houston is one of the most diverse cities in America and makes a point to feature artists of color in their discussions and programs.

“Even before the protests, we understood that artists of color make Houston what it is. It makes the Houston arts community what it is. It’s always been great, and we know by featuring them would be paying them respect but also shows Houston that this is it, this is the heart of it,” said Ramirez. “It’s artists of color who have made Houston’s arts community great.”

One of their recent conversation series featured local artists Marissa Castillo from Teartx, a local Latinx Theatre Company, and Matt Manalo from Filipinx Artists, an artist collective of Flipinx visual, performing, literary, culinary and multidisciplinary Houston artists.

They have also featured multidisciplinary artist, curator, and project manager Theresa Escobedo, and visual artists Jamie Robertson. Their July programming is centered around cultivating equity in the arts, with topics such as Amplifying Arts Writers of Color, Implementing Language Justice for the Arts, and Prioritizing Programming for Marginalized Artists.

“They definitely do garner attention from all different types of people, ethnic backgrounds, geographic locations, and also artistic disciplines,” said visual artist Amy Malkan. “We’re bringing a different flavor, we’re bringing our own cultural backgrounds, our perspectives, to whatever that artistic opportunity is. “We’re introducing people to new cultures, new ways of thinking, new ways of seeing things.”

According to Malkan, the arts is like any other industry where people have subconscious biases and give art projects primarily to people that are white, leading to artists of color missing out on opportunities.

By Fresh Arts producing content that featuring a diverse group of people, “you can’t say ‘oh well they’re only catering to this group’”, said Bentley. “It’s never all one color”.

“It’s important now for our voices just to be heard,” said performing artist Chris Thomas, also known as Yung Chris, “It’s always been the time for that but I feel like now is more critical just because of the climate of what’s happening around the world and in our community.”

“I think people are starting to listen now versus just being silent,” said Thomas. “We have a story as well. We have narratives as well. Those narratives and stories should be highlighted, and I hope it’s not just a trend but more so it’s an actual change that will continue in the far future.”

ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com

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