Seattle Arts Organizations Announces Inaugural Seattle Arts Fellowship Cohort

Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Seattle Symphony have announced the founding cohort of the Seattle Arts Fellowship, a new initiative for aspiring performing arts leaders and color administrators.

The Fellows 2021-22 are Dalanie Harris, Kierra Nguyen and Gabriela Paez Shutt. They will be placed at the Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Symphony, respectively, where they will focus on aspects such as marketing, community building and artistic planning. Next year’s program will include a broadcast when Classical KING FM 98.1 joins partner organizations.

The program is aimed at young professionals such as university graduates or young professionals in the non-profit arts sector.

“The fundamental goals of this scholarship reinforce my belief that art and artists must be cared for in such a way that their growth is sustained for generations to come,” said Nguyen in a press release. “As a recent college graduate, I would like to continue serving in artistic administrative roles that promote the arts in an informed and innovative manner.”

“Ultimately, in return for all the joy it has brought to my life and the world, I want to be able to elevate, celebrate and promote black music,” added Harris. “I want to question the way we as individuals interpret and analyze music.”

“My ultimate goal in the arts is to improve access to arts education for students, especially low-income students,” said Shutt, a recent Florida State University graduate with an MA in Arts Administration. “I have been very fortunate to have received incredible training in performing and visual arts through my public schools, but that is not the case with many students.”