Six ArtsHERE Coaches Announced
We’re thrilled to introduce the six exceptional coaches who will be guiding the ArtsHERE grant recipients!
ArtsHERE is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with South Arts and in collaboration with the five other U.S. Regional Arts Organizations (RAOs) dedicated to supporting organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to equity within their practices and programming.
By focusing on specific projects that enhance an organization’s capacity to sustain meaningful community engagement, ArtsHERE aims to increase arts participation for underserved groups and communities.
As part of their ArtsHERE award, grant recipients gain access to peer-learning and technical assistance opportunities designed to foster knowledge sharing and network building. Central to this support system are our monthly cohort meetings, where our newly appointed coaches will play a crucial role.
The Role of ArtsHERE Coaches
Our six coaches have been selected to work with cohorts of 18-19 organizations each. They will lead one-hour monthly sessions tailored to the unique needs of participants, informed by evaluation data and direct feedback. These professional development sessions may cover a wide range of topics, including fundraising, evaluation, strategic planning, community engagement, and more.
In addition to group sessions, coaches will also schedule virtual one-on-one meetings with each participant in their assigned cohort, ensuring personalized guidance. They’ll also have access to quarterly workshops featuring topic experts.
As the Lead Technical Assistance Provider for ArtsHERE, Mid-America Arts Alliance will coordinate with grantees and coaches to identify appropriate areas of professional development, capacity building, and peer-network development.
Meet the ArtsHERE Coaches
Bryan Joseph Lee (he/him)
Bryan Joseph Lee is a Queer Black creative producer and civic organizer from the South, who founded CNTR ARTS, a creative agency that supports artists, activists, and communities of color. He has led cultural placemaking initiatives in cities across the United States and internationally in Egypt and Australia. Bryan frequently speaks on building relevance and resilience in arts organizations, having delivered keynotes at conferences in Sydney and Wales. His work focuses on helping arts organizations and communities develop equity-based strategies for social cohesion and civic development through the arts.
Deidra Montgomery (they/she)
Deidra Montgomery is a queer Black consultant, sound artist, facilitator, and coach supporting individuals, groups, organizations, and projects that seek to make the world more joyful and just. Deidra co-founded Congruence Cultural Strategies, a cooperatively run, New England–based consulting practice. Deidra plays trombone in Undertow Brass Band and is a member of the board of directors of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and a trustee of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Awesome Foundation. Deidra holds a B.A. in music from Amherst College and an M.A. in arts administration from Goucher College.
Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar (she/her)
With over two decades of experience in design and leadership, Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar brings a unique perspective and a passion for reimagining the future of work by putting people at the center of an organization’s purpose and helping leaders navigate change through design. She has led dynamic and diverse communities of artists, designers, and scholars committed to excellence, innovation, and social impact throughout her award-winning career in higher education and at the Smithsonian Institution. She has an MFA in design from Iowa State University and professional certificates from Harvard, Northwestern, and Yale Universities. In her nationally operating consulting practice, Arc C-Suite Advisory, she helps leaders navigate change through design.
Dr. Michelle Ramos (she/her)
Dr. Michelle Ramos, founder of Ramos Coaching, applies critical race theory and lived experiences to disrupt long standing white supremacist structures and systems. She has held leadership roles as Executive Director of Alternate ROOTS, Managing Director at the Vera Institute of Justice New Orleans, and Program Officer for the Women’s Foundation of California. A licensed attorney with a PhD in Psychology, Dr. Ramos has over 20 years of consulting experience and serves on the boards of Foundation for Louisiana, Dancing Grounds, and Grantmakers in the Arts.
Amy Sadao (she/her)
Amy Sadao is an independent curator and consultant specializing in the strategic development of contemporary art and community-based organizations. She is currently co-organizing an exhibition project for the Manetti Shrem Museum at UC Davis, focusing on abolishing the category of Asian American art. Amy has held leadership roles as Interim Director of Denniston Hill, Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania, and Executive Director of Visual AIDS. Dedicated to sustainable nonprofit cultures and equity, she is pursuing ICF coaching certification and restorative justice training. Amy co-chairs the Leeway Foundation and serves on the advisory board of Denniston Hill.
Paul Ternes (he/him)
Paul Ternes is a seasoned leader and professional coach with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropy sectors. As a community investment officer with the Peter Kiewit Foundation, he supports organizations and communities in addressing their needs and priorities while focusing on community amenity projects and strengthening the arts sector in Greater Nebraska and Western Iowa. Paul is a certified TOP facilitator and Gallup-certified strengths coach, and has contributed as a panelist and reviewer for several arts and humanities organizations. Before joining the foundation, he spent over a decade in arts administration, focusing on finance, programming, and community engagement.
We’re excited to see the impact these coaches will have on our grantees as they work together to strengthen community engagement and increase arts participation in underserved groups and communities.
