Press Release Adrienne Arsht Center participates in new BIPOC Executive Leadership in the Arts Program 

The Adrienne Arsht Center participates in new
BIPOC Executive Leadership in the Arts Program

First Fellow to visit, Marisol Sánchez-Best, connects with Miami’s diverse cultural leaders

Miami, FL October 2022 – Continuing its efforts toward greater diversity and equity in performing arts careers, the Arsht Center (@arshtcenter) is participating in a newly launched BIPOC Executive Leadership in the Arts Program as part of Live Arts Center of North America (LACNA). This first-of-its-kind program helps to recognize and support the myriad qualified BIPOC arts professionals who are viable candidates for senior positions and strengthen their capacities to lead large cultural organizations into the future.

The Arsht Center is among 18 performing arts centers across the country that host Fellows as part of the residency-in-practice that is an integral part of the multi-faceted program. The Center recently hosted its first fellow Marisol Sánchez-Best, Director of Education and Community Engagement for Seattle Theatre Group (@STGpresents). Over the course of a week in Miami from October 18-20, the Arsht Center introduced her to many of Miami’s arts leaders, including the Arsht Center’s own senior leaders and directors at other cultural institutions throughout the city.

“The Arsht Center’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is in its DNA. Together with our fellow arts institutions, we can ensure that the most talented professionals have a network and a pathway to become leaders of cultural organizations around the country and the world,” said Johann Zietsman, Arsht Center President and CEO. 

“Being in Miami, and having the Arsht Center host me through this BIPOC Executive Leadership program, provided me with an invaluable experience. I left feeling inspired and humbled by the people and the sharing from Johann Zietsman, the Board of Trustees, community arts leaders and staff,” said Sánchez-Best.

In addition to nurturing mid-career professionals through this program, the Arsht Center expands opportunities for those early in their arts careers through a year-round paid Arsht Interns program and a Technical Theatre Apprentice Program  created especially for young people from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented communities.

Responding to the challenges of structural racism in performing arts institutions across the U.S. and Canada, Live Arts Centers of North America (LACNA), a coalition of more than 50 of the largest performing arts centers in both countries, and the LACNA Foundation launched the BIPOC Executive Leadership in the Arts Program in early 2022. Supported by AMS Planning & Research Corporation, NAS, and Stanford University, this program is designed to accelerate the development of management and leadership skills among qualified mid-career BIPOC professionals and provide them with greater access to pursue executive positions in the two nations’ most significant cultural institutions.

According to the LACNA Foundation, while 53% of principal administrators of major performing arts centers are female, only 7% of the leaders of these arts organizations are BIPOC, and only 16% of the leadership teams of these organizations include BIPOC representation. The BIPOC Executive Leadership in the Arts Program tackles this challenge head-on as a statement of commitment from these organizations to change their cultures and to diversify their leadership. Applications for the next class of Fellows are open now through November 4. To learn more, visit LACNA here.

@ArshtCenter                       #ArshtCenter

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, as well as the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from individuals, corporations and local, state and national foundations.

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AboutUs
Set in the heart of downtown Miami, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is committed to welcoming and connecting ALL people to the arts, to the Arsht Center and to each other. Our stages are alive year-round with artists from around the world, innovative programming from our resident companies and local arts partners, free community events that reflect Miami’s unique identity and arts education experiences for thousands of Miami children each year.

 Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501C3 non-profit organization, has been recognized as a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area, a leader in programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity, a host venue for historic events and Miami’s hub for arts education.

Each year, we serve more than 60,000 young learners and offer more than 100 culturally diverse and inclusive education programs — many enhanced by the Arsht Center’s relationship with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, local teaching artists and Miami-based arts organizations.

The Arsht Center is also a home stage for three resident companies — Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony — and a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage. Our 300+ events each year include the Center’s Signature Series of classical, jazz, Broadway, local theater and much more. We present a robust series of touring Broadway musicals direct from New York, the largest jazz series in South Florida, a major annual Flamenco Festival and an award-winning Miami-based theater program. In addition, our Family Fest, Free Gospel Sundays, CommuniTEA LGBTQ+ celebration and Heritage Fest are among dozens of free events that bring together people from all corners of our community. For more information, visit arshtcenter.org.