Welcome to Diverse Advocacy Foundation for the Arts (DAFA), where creativity meets inclusivity and passion fuels purpose. Founded by artists with a shared vision, DAFA is more than just an organization; it's a vibrant community dedicated to celebrating diversity, promoting cultural understanding, and advocating for equitable opportunities within the artistic landscape.
At DAFA, we believe that art is a powerful vehicle for change and expression. We are committed to building bridges within the artistic community, forging partnerships, and creating opportunities for growth and collaboration.
History
The idea for the Diverse Advocacy Foundation for the Arts (DAFA) emerged from our collective experience as contributors to the artistic community. In early 2023, three of us began discussing the needs present in the current artistic landscape. We soon realized that we were not alone in this belief and recruited four more like-minded professionals, creating a team of seven pioneers committed to fighting for change, inclusion, recognition, and a brighter future for the arts.
Our first official meeting took place on March 23, 2024, where we swear in the board of directors, adopted our bylaws, code of ethics, and established the foundation for what DAFA stands for today.
Before officially stablishing DAFA and as early as May 2023, Luis Cepeda (now President & Executive Director at DAFA) and Raphael Diaz (now Program Manager and Event Coordinator at DAFA), in a collaboration with the Dominican Consulate in Boston presented our first initiative by hosting a solo exhibition for the celebrated artist Rafael Trinidad. The exhibition saw successful results, including several of the artist's pieces being sold. This marked the first official representation of DAFA as an organization. Shortly after, we collaborated again with the Dominican Consulate for second exhibition by plastic artist Ramon Santiago, a resident of Lynn, MA, which also yielded successful sales.
In June 1, 2024, we hosted an invitation event (Calling All Artists) which was a tremendous success, drawing over 20 artists and non-artists, with about 15 signing a communication agreement and expressing their desire to join our growing community. DAFA remains committed to advancing the arts and continues to collaborate with artists, institutions, and the broader public to achieve this vision.
By July 2024, DAFA expanded its reach with an international collective exhibition at the renowned "Centro Cultural Perello" in the Dominican Republic, highlighting the diversity and impact of our mission. In august of the same year (2024) the exhibition moved part of the art pieces to the Instituto Cultural Dominico - Americano becoming our second international venue.
Most recently, on September 17, 2024, we collaborated with URI Department of Arts and History to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through a collective exhibit featuring 20 artists from Latin America, Central, and South America, reflecting on their rich cultures.
Board of Directors Election:
March 23rd, 2024
Check out the full details of our first official meeting where we voted to select our officials.
"Our core team comprises a carefully selected group of professionals united by a common mission."
Contextual Analysis
At Diverse Advocacy Foundation for the Arts (DAFA), Our journey begins with a comprehensive understanding of the artistic landscape we navigate. We acknowledge the different cultures that make up the artistic community across our country. We identify the challenges and opportunities present in the artistic sphere around us, uncovering a collective hunger for inclusion and representation.
Our organization is poised to address these realities, leveraging them as catalysts for our mission to foster an inclusive, empowering, and vibrant environment.
We believe in unity and highlighting the different stories and talents in our diverse artistic space. We aim to create an environment that is welcoming and empowering and supports artists of all backgrounds.
Who we are
Diverse Advocacy Foundation for the Arts (DAFA) is dedicated to promoting unity within the diverse identities of our artistic community. Our approach is centered on the transformative power of cultural diversity, which enriches our collective narrative with aim to foster an inclusive environment that connects a multitude of cultural backgrounds and artistic styles, empowering artists and ensuring just recognition for their contributions.
DAFA is built on support, mentorship, and collaboration. We strive to create a nurturing ecosystem that inspires creativity and fosters growth. We are committed to ensuring fair economic opportunities for artists, valuing their contributions, and ensuring they receive fair compensation.
We strive in promoting understanding, respect, and equitable distribution of resources. We believe diversity is the key to creating a vibrant, collaborative, and culturally rich artistic community. We are committed to promoting unity and inclusivity and we are proud to be champions of the transformative potential of diversity in the fine arts.
Mission
Our mission is to unite multicultural artists to cultivate, exhibit, celebrate multiculturalism, empower artists, foster community connections, and nurture a unified artistic narrative. We provide a national online platform, fair opportunities, recognition, and equitable compensation. We drive a unified arts culture fortified by artists united under the protective umbrella of unity and identity, preserving heritage, and fostering equal opportunities.
Vision
Our Vision at Diverse Advocacy Foundation for the Arts is to promote and celebrate diverse cultures through the fine arts. We are committed to providing equitable recognition and opportunities to all artists while empowering diverse communities to resonate with a wider audience. We aim to establish a dynamic and inclusive community of artists dedicated to preserving and promoting cultural richness. We firmly believe that by nurturing this community, we can ensure the enduring impact and recognition of diverse artistic expressions within our society.
Values
At the heart of our organization lies a commitment to fostering an inclusive artistic community where diversity is celebrated and respected. We believe in the power of unity and collaboration, recognizing the collective strength that arises when artists from diverse backgrounds join forces.
Respect and recognition are paramount in our values, ensuring that each artist's unique voice is not only heard but also honored with equitable opportunities.
Our dedication to preserving cultural heritage is evident in our support for artists who cherish and celebrate their roots through their art.
From the heart of our ethos, advocacy for empowerment and support guides us to provide resources and mentorship that enable artists to thrive and grow. We are unwavering in our dedication to ethical and equitable practices, advocating for fairness, transparency, and just compensation for artists, laying the foundation for a vibrant and harmonious artistic landscape.
Our principles
Diverse Advocacy Foundation for the Arts embodies a noble, inclusive initiative fostering a vibrant artistic community. This organization is a testament to inclusivity, unity, and creativity by adhering to principles of “connect, create, promote, empower, preserve, and celebrate”.
These principles are the guiding pillars that shape our mission and define our approach to advancing diversity, inclusion, and equity within the arts community.
These principles embody our commitment to fostering an environment where artists are encouraged to express their creativity freely, reflecting diverse cultural narratives and personal expressions, thereby nurturing a space where imagination thrives.
We strive to build bridges within the artistic community, forging meaningful connections among artists and audiences to facilitate collaboration, idea exchange, and mutual support. Our commitment to advocacy and showcasing artistic endeavors ensures the visibility and recognition of artists' works, promoting diverse voices and narratives within the broader cultural sphere.
We are dedicated to empowering artists by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive, enabling them to explore their talents, voice their unique perspectives, and advance in their artistic careers.
We prioritize the preservation of cultural heritage through art, safeguarding traditions, folklore, and histories embedded within diverse cultures, ensuring their continued celebration and appreciation.
Ultimately, we celebrate the joyous acknowledgment and commemoration of cultural diversity through the arts, fostering a spirit of celebration and appreciation within our thriving community, where artists of all backgrounds converge to create an atmosphere that embraces diversity, fosters creativity, and cultivates a shared passion for the arts.
Goals
Our goal of achieving artistic excellence centers on development and elevating artistic standards while amplifying awareness regarding the core value of a more diverse fine arts community. We strive to delve deeper into the cultural significance embedded within artistic expressions, aiming to cultivate a broader understanding of the profound contributions diverse cultures bring to collaborative endeavors within the orbit of fine arts.
By championing artistic excellence, we seek to not only enhance the quality of artistic creations but also to celebrate and showcase the multifaceted narratives and rich cultural tapestries woven through artistic collaborations. Through this pursuit, we aspire to bridge cultures, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the diverse artistic voices that collectively enrich the fine arts landscape.
Objectives
At DAFA, our strategic objectives center on the deliberate cultivation of an inclusive artistic community. We prioritize the elevation of multicultural artists by fostering a space where their voices are celebrated and heard.
Our core objectives revolve around creating opportunities for collaboration, providing platforms for artistic expression, and establishing partnerships that amplify diverse artistic narratives.
Moreover, we emphasize the promotion of cultural preservation and recognition, ensuring that the richness of each heritage is acknowledged and showcased.
By championing these strategic priorities, we aim to nurture a supportive ecosystem that empowers artists, celebrates diversity, and advocates for their equitable representation within the broader artistic landscape.
Guide to our journey
In pursuit of our central vision to champion a truthful and inclusive space for every artist and enthusiast, we have outlined key goals to guide our journey:
(Membership Growth, Educational Initiatives, Advocacy, Cultural Celebrations, Collaboration, Preserve and Promote, community engagement, financial sustainability, and Long Term).
1. Membership Growth: We aim to foster a robust and inclusive community by attracting artists from diverse backgrounds, celebrating their unique perspectives, and nurturing an environment where diversity thrives.
2. Promoting Educational Initiatives: Our objective is to cultivate continuous learning and amplified awareness within our artistic community through diverse educational programs, workshops, and initiatives that enhance skills and nurture creativity.
3. Advocacy: We advocate for the representation and recognition of multicultural artists within galleries, museums, and art institutions, promoting diversity and amplifying the visibility of diverse artistic voices.
4. Cultural Celebration: We honor and celebrate the diverse tapestry of cultures through the medium of fine arts, showcasing artworks that explore traditions, folklore, history, and contemporary issues prevalent within various cultures.
5. Collaboration: We forge strong partnerships with art institutions and organizations to expand opportunities for artists to exhibit and showcase their work, creating a network of support and amplifying platforms for artistic expression.
6. Preserve and Promote: We collaborate with cultural organizations to support art projects that preserve and promote multicultural traditions, imparting their significance to future generations and enriching our collective artistic narrative.
7. Community Engagement: We actively engage with diverse communities to foster collaboration, idea exchange, and connections within the artistic landscape, amplifying voices and nurturing a sense of belonging and collaboration.
8. Long Term Goal: Our aspiration involves establishing dedicated physical art spaces tailored for exhibitions and community engagement, creating immersive environments that celebrate diverse artistic expressions and promote dialogue among artists and enthusiasts.
9. Financial Sustainability: We develop a comprehensive financial plan to ensure the organization's longevity and growth, securing diverse revenue streams, and establishing an inclusive online platform to showcase fine arts globally while supporting artists within our communities.
10. Tactical Plans or Action Steps: Our tactical plans include targeted programs facilitating artistic collaborations, mentorship initiatives, educational programs, forging partnerships, creating online platforms, and advocating for representation in galleries and museums.
11. Monitoring and Evaluation: We employ regular assessments, surveys, and feedback mechanisms to gauge the impact of our programs, track participation, measure engagement, and assess resonance within diverse communities, enabling data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
These goals serve as the foundation for our organization's dedication to promoting and preserving the fine arts, reflecting our commitment to artistic expression, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment of artists across all nationalities.
