NAS proudly introduces the 25 creative change agents of the 2019 Creative Community Fellows New England cohort. From theatrical public art projects in New Hampshire addressing community resilience, stigma and hope around the opioid crisis’s effect on families to encouraging pedestrians in Connecticut to take a moment and express themselves through an original poem, Fellows embody a drive to strengthen their communities through creative means.
Fellows will work with NAS, faculty partners, mentors and each other over the next six months to embrace their authentic leadership capacities, examine their partnerships and strategy and craft processes for deepening their connection to the community. In addition to implementing their projects, Fellows will create a vibrant, regional network enriched with the unique experiences and expertise each brings to the table.
“New England is teeming with creative entrepreneurs working at the intersection of culture and community,” said Sunny Widmann, Director at NAS. “This year’s Fellows have a clear passion to connect with others driving positive change across the region. The range of experiences and knowledge each Fellow brings to the cohort will contribute to a diverse community of practice which will strengthen and grow each project.”
Introduced in 2018, the regionally-focused Creative Community Fellows New England is generously funded by the Barr Foundation, who underwrites participation costs. This year’s Fellows join a nationwide network of nearly 200 leaders who have participated in NAS’ parent Creative Community Fellows program over the past five years.
“Creative Community Fellows New England recognizes our region’s cultural leaders whose work is driving positive change in their communities, and provides support to deepen their impact,” said San San Wong, the Barr Foundation’s Director of Arts & Creativity. “We welcome this newest class of artists and celebrate the expansion of this impressive network of creative change makers.”
The following Fellows were selected for their capacity to make immediate impacts on their communities and NAS is so excited for them to begin collaborating with one another.
2019 Creative Community Fellows New England
Rachel Balaban | Middletown, RI
Slate Ballard | Hamden, CT
Erica Barreto | North Adams, MA
Kate Beever | Cornish, ME
Elizabeth Billings | Tunbridge, VT
Ilana Brownstein | Arlington, MA
Lisa Burk-McCoy | Concord, NH
J Cottle | Boston, MA
Cedric Douglas | Quincy, MA
Melanie Faranello | West Hartford, CT
Jessica Gelter | Keene, NH
Charmane Glass-Tripp | Bloomfield, CT
Elisa Hamilton | Malden, MA
Kelly Hickey | Weybridge, VT
Tracie Konopinski | Boston, MA
Dana Legawiec | Bowdoinham, ME
Gabrielle Molina | New Haven, CT
David Norville | Allston, MA
Sam Potrykus | Jamaica Plain, MA
Hannah Rechtschaffen | Greenfield, MA
Romy Saint Hilaire | Quincy, MA
Catherine Stewart | Portsmouth, NH
Ashley Strazzinski | North Adams, MA
Jo Troll | Cambridge, MA
Ngoc-Tran Vu | Dorchester, MA
