Creative In Residence
The Creative in Residence program uses a people-centered approach that prioritizes racial equity and social justice, recognizing the intersection of how systemic inequities impact individuals both because of who they are, but also the work they do (intersectional identity). In order to make a real impact and move towards positive change, solutions must incorporate equitable practices and prioritize decision-making principles that do not perpetuate the systemic inequities that have historically harmed our communities. If solutions do not prioritize racial equity while recognizing and addressing socio-economic status, gender, sexuality, ability, and other identities, they will not work.
Each year we will host an artist in residence who is addressing a systemic inequity through their creative practice. We will support artists in developing their ideas into sustainable solutions, acquiring investment and documentation and evaluation of their work. Our creative placemaking strategies combine our organizational values and data-driven solutions with aligning equity-centered creative work. The arts are an important component of justice movements as we work to make change in our communities. Artists tell the stories of the pain, the people, the victories, and craft a vision for a future that we hope to achieve.
This year, we will support our inaugural Creative in Residence, writer and storyteller, Tiffany Huff-Strothers, in developing a new project for storytellers of color. Through the residency, our Creative in Residence will receive support in designing a holistic and comprehensive curriculum as well as implementation of the initiative.
The Creative in Residence program intends to:
- Enhance the leadership capabilities and methodology of creatives that prioritize racial equity and justice in their work and practice
- Implement a successful program design model that is developed and executed by those with lived experience, critical skills, knowledge, and expertise
- Increase the capability of artists and creatives to assess and evaluate their work and effectively report their organization’s outcomes and impact
- Create affirmative spaces for marginalized artists and creatives to connect, share, learn, and collaborate
- Model an equity-centered program design and implementation model that centers traditionally marginalized people which could serve as a framework to be replicated by any organization, government entity, or foundation missioned to be more equitable, just, and inclusive
- Support creatives in developing strategies to navigate an inequitable system while simultaneously working to dismantle and improve it through creativity and culture
- Support regional initiatives by designing arts-centered solutions and strategies that prioritize equity and long-term impact in all phases of planning, design, implementation, and evaluation.
Welcome 2023 Creative in Residence, writer and storyteller, Tiffany Huff-Strothers.
Tiffany’s storytelling journey began in high school when she became the go-to person for family and friends who needed new or updated resumes. Better able to describe the skills and experience for others than they could for themselves. Before long, she had an unofficial resume coaching business that grew solely by word of mouth. Thus began her journey to helping her community, primarily Black women, with sharing the stories of their experiences in an effort to increase both their impact and access to opportunities.
The business soon expanded to include writing the stories of those we’ve lost, powerfully communicating the legacies of loved ones at home-going celebrations. In college, Tiffany developed a love for both blogging and grant writing, knowing that crafting stories about her own experiences could be impactful to others. One of the many iterations of her blogging journey included her blog “The Scenes From a Single Mom,” which today has blossomed into “The Scenes From a Single Mom Book Project,” an anthology series that has helped close to 50 women become authors and entrepreneurs with an additional stream of income to support their families.
In 2017, Tiffany also became a self published author of two books: EmpowerMoments for the Everyday Woman: A 31-day Devotional to Empower Your Womanhood and the award-winning 30 Day Stay: A Story of Escaping Death, Healing From Heartbreak and Finding Hope in Homelessness.
Connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date with her work and services.