Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Sierra.
Hi Kat, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I began my career in the arts from a different perspective than today. I come from a line of artists and experienced the power of creativity from the womb. My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or a teacher, but my rebellious nature propelled me into arts where I felt most connected to my true self. Photography was the focal point of my education. I began to study photography and film in NY before moving and completing my studies in South Florida. Upon graduation I took an intern position at Tiffany Photo in Fort Lauderdale. Robert Hurth the owner, and his wife Sheila, were photographers, educators, and well respected in the photo sector. I intentionally sought a position there because they offered training, and opportunities to grow. I knew I wanted to develop as many skills as I could as I could to give myself more range and opportunities in the arts. The Hurth’s allowed me to develop my talents as a photographer, film retoucher, production manager, and at the time a complete education in digital photography. This was in the early 2000’s, when everyone was just transitioning into a whole new world of capture. Film became a memory for the most part commercially. I would continue my relationship with Tiffany’s for 6 years before moving on to other photo studios, and partnership businesses focused on graphic design and marketing. I have learned different skills throughout the years because I had to. As an artist then I knew it was a faint line between staying in my apartment or moving home at any moment.
Fast forward to 2009 when I returned to NYC, where I was born, to take care of my mother who was battling cancer. I had to leave my life in South Florida without knowing what was next for me. After my mom passed, I worked at several agencies by contract providing creative direction, some design, and photo work but never returned to a full-time position in production. As I learned to market myself it occurred to me that learning business was the only way I would get through this next cycle of life. Often artist don’t have the bandwidth to understand sustainability, and I really didn’t have a choice. I tried other types of work here and there but it made me feel unfaithful. It was a choice to stay in the arts world. Without much inspiration from battling depression after losing my mom, I focused on studies once again and learned Business Administration.
A few years later while still in NYC, I met a group of core people that would be my mentors, and who gave me an opportunity that would change life for me once again. In 2014, I met the Holden family whose patriarch, Spencer Holden, a retired actor, child advocate, and activist, asked me to join the board and work with his daughter Tracee to activate his passion project, The Marion Holden Theatre, an arts education program for youth at risk in New Jersey. The theatre and the work we did to create scholarship opportunities would build a foundation for me in the nonprofit arts sector as the Vice President then Director on staff. I was not expecting to be called this loudly to service, but it made me feel good about the work I was doing for the community. Not only for the students, but for their parents, and anyone who participated in their journeys. I would stay with the theatre for years before feeling the call to expand once again.
In 2019 I made a call to the universe and said, “send me where I need to be”.
I was committed to nonprofit work and supporting emerging artist. I made a list of named the “perfect position for Kat”. The list detailed all the things I wanted to in an opportunity. I began to look online for a nonprofit manager position. I ran across an ad for an Arts Administrator in Fort Lauderdale. I committed to being open about my next steps and applied. I went through an interview process over the summer of 2019 and began there in September of the same year. So began my life with Funding Arts Broward.
Funding Arts Broward (FAB) is a 20-year-old organization that supports, sustains, and preserves the arts in Broward. It’s the dream child of artist and philanthropist, Francie Bishop Good. The organization made up of 75 women at the time answered the call for arts support to the tune of $75,000 in 2003. They all got together in what they considered a club and began the membership. The women would each contribute $1000 each toward an annual grant pool and open a call for arts organizations to apply for the funds. Although there are many funders in the county, FAB is the only arts organization dedicating to supporting arts organizations, and whose purpose is to promote culture through the arts programs funded. FAB continued for many years until I arrived, completely run by volunteers, which include a working board of up to 20 dynamos who have their hearts and souls embedded into the fabric of FAB. I was astonished at the level of dedication these retired and working folks were willing to invest. It’s safe to say our relationship works so well because they allow me space to grow. Being the first employee came with some pressure. There was a call to reinvent the organizations current structure and scale this nonprofit to grow and focus on long term sustainability. FAB is completely funded by its 200 members, corporate partners, dedicated foundations, and donors. Taking this on for all of us at FAB was a challenge. Leadership changed and we began to run this ship like a well oiled machine, little did we know that in 2020 everything would change. It was a scary time for everyone.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge for us was, how do we survive Covid, and not lose our membership? How do we keep everyone connected and engaged through all of this…… When the whole world stopped working, we stepped into high gear.
Our president lead us so amazingly into unchartered waters with certainty.
We developed a strategic plan to address sustainability, hosted a virtual environment for meetings, and created a virtual series to educate and keep our members connected. I had to once again figure out how to do something I really did not know how to do. Keeping our members and funding grantees was paramount. Our grantees were struggling, they couldn’t have performances, and some were in danger of closing there doors during lockdown. The board decided that although we fund in arrears, we would award the money to the applicants who applied that year whether they exhibited, or performed, or not. It was a good faith award in hopes of helping them through a tough period. It was a no brainer for us.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In December I was promoted to Director for FAB. My role with the organization today includes, marketing, communications, brand development, new business development, event management, grant administration, campaign management, fundraising, procedure and policy development, staff development, graphic design, photo work, and community outreach. The volunteers at FAB are active, I support them on an executive level. Whatever must be done, I do. That’s the world of nonprofits, we just do it. I also still partake in art, I am always capturing the world from my perspective. Art is life for me. It’s always happening.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
FAB’s Board deserves so much credit and so do each member, supporter, guests at events, and community partners. We are all interconnected by a common thread, the arts are healing, unifying and holds the stamp of time when expressed. It’s amazing what can come out of community.
Pricing:
- $750 Under 40 memberships
- $1500 Individuals
- $2250 Couples Membership
- $3500 FAB Corporate Partner Supporter Level
- $5000 FAB Corporate Partner Patron Level
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fundingartsbroward.org
- Instagram: @fundingartsbroward
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/fundingartsbroward
- Youtube: www.YouTube.com/fundingartsbroward
