CONVERSATION SERIES
Alexandra: We are now one year into our terms! What are a few of the highlights from your work with the board this year?
Vicky: This year, I loved the chance to get an even closer look at all the details that go into making the big things happen. Everything starts by having talented, driven, and caring people in a room together, and being the Chair meant I got to experience many more of these conversations, both internally and with artists, leaders, and groups from the community. I love the relationship building that comes from sharing stories, insights, and experiences.
One of my favorite memories from this year was when I interviewed Roy Hirabayashi, a former Board member and current Faculty member, about his new appointment as California Arts Council (CAC) Member. I learned a lot from that conversation, from how the CAC is organized and how state-wide arts funding gets allocated, but my biggest takeaway was what Roy shared about the importance of artists supporting each other and learning how to advocate for themselves and their art forms. Not everyone knows how to do this at state or national level, and it can seem intimidating. But SVCREATES helps by creating spaces for conversation by hosting educational webinars and round tables that get us all into the room together. Shared wisdom elevates everyone, together. It felt great to contribute to work like that this year.
As an internal highlight, SVCREATES also did a lot of Board recruitment this year, and we are fortunate to bring on some very exciting new additions to our Board. Interviewing Board candidates was, and continues to be, one of my favorite parts about my role. We’ve brought on folks from all sorts of professional backgrounds, disciplines, personal identities, and geographic locations, but the thing everyone has in common is art. It’s kept them going in some way, whether it’s as a practicing artist or as a supporter of the arts. For me, this is a constant reminder that even with all our differences, creativity is something that connects us all together.
Alexandra: How about highlights from SVCREATES’ work this year?
Vicky: I’ll never pass up an opportunity to talk about SVCREATES’s amazing Content Pick-Up Parties! The Content team does such an amazing job engaging the public, activating cool public spaces, and elevating artists of every kind. My favorite Pick-Up Party of the year was the one held in partnership with West Valley College (I’ll admit that this one is my favorite one every year– check it out!). I loved the chance to see such an incredible variety of student work, especially the amazing, student-led fashion show–the sheer talent blows my mind, every time!
I’m also so excited about how we continued to scale our community education and support initiatives this year. Creating an arts organization is already hard, but sustaining it is also extremely challenging, and it’s not a conventional journey with lots of readily available resources. The SVCREATES team understands that deeply, and I hope that with our educational webinars, community round tables, and annual Town Hall we’re able to help people feel more connected and supported in their journeys. It is inspiring to see resilience in action, as our arts community rebuilds and regrows in a post-pandemic world.
Vicky: It was also your first year as CEO — what’s something you are particularly proud of from 2024?
Alexandra: It’s been such a pleasure to work with you, Vicky, and the SVCREATES Board. The Board Executive Committee have been important thought-partners with me and have helped make this a smooth and successful year. And our truly remarkable staff and faculty are continually bringing innovation, energy, and deep care to the work we do to uplift the local arts community. I was particularly inspired by our Folk & Traditional Arts Roundtable, co-hosted by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts that was held in October. It was an evening spent in conversation with over 40 local artists and culture bearers on cultural transmission, sustainability, and legacy — it was powerful and deeply moving.
Alexandra: What’s something that surprised you or you didn’t anticipate as board chair?
Vicky: I think the biggest surprise this year was that it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be! That isn’t to say that it hasn’t been a lot of work, or that it hasn’t required a lot of brainpower, because both of those things are definitely true. But when I was first approached about the Board Chair role, I honestly had a bit of imposter syndrome, and wasn’t sure what I was going to be able to bring to the table. But now, a year in, I’ve found that not only have my personal experiences as a practicing artist helped a lot, but I’ve also been constantly supported by so many strong, conscientious, and collaborative leaders on this Board, whose top priority is always the community and never themselves. Plus, we are so fortunate to have such an incredible bench of talent and expertise on our staff, including you, Alexandra! And on top of all that, every time we need input from the community, there are so many incredible artists and arts leaders who are ready and open to sharing their voices so that we can all grow together. None of that is new in itself, and it’s what makes this community so special–but I just have to say that it is incredible to experience the collaboration, from the perspective of this new role.
Alexandra: What are you looking forward to in 2025?
Vicky: All of the same work, but even bigger and better! I look forward to continuing to elevate the arts, and helping more and more people experience the creativity around them. I especially look forward to the work SVCREATES will be doing to help improve arts access for children and schools, and for communities outside of Silicon Valley who haven’t historically had as much support. And lastly, I’m excited to continue meeting the people who keep this ecosystem going–whether it’s fellow creatives, community leaders, funders, policy makers, or arts fans. It’s going to be an incredible year!
Alexandra: Thanks so much for this conversation. I look forward to our continued partnership in 2025! Have a happy holiday season.
