Contact: Joshua Russell
Director of Communications & Emerging Initiatives
jrussell@1stact.org
408-200-2020 ext. 104

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

1stACT Silicon Valley Announces Participants of
2009 Multicultural Arts Leadership Initiative

San Jose, CA, January 12, 2009 - 1stACT Silicon Valley, a network of business, civic and arts leaders working to improve the cultural vibrancy and aesthetic quality of life of Silicon Valley, has announced the participants of its 2009 multicultural arts leadership training and mentoring initiative, MALI (Multicultural Arts Leadership Initiative).

Now in its second full year, MALI strives to accomplish three overarching goals to: 1) identify future and emerging multicultural arts leaders; 2) develop and deliver a training program that will provide these individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to stabilize or grow their organizations; and 3) equip these leaders to participate in community-wide forums, initiatives and taskforces as advocates for a strong and healthy multicultural arts community.

Here are the participants of the 2009 MALI Class:

  • Hector Armienta: Founder & Composer, OperaCultura - San Jose
  • Adrian Avila: Owner, AD Prints; Artistic Director, Silicon Valley DeBug - San Jose
  • Patricia Cheng: Chair, Performing Arts Committee - Mtn. View
  • Lidia Doniz: Co-Founder, Movimiento Cosmico Aztec Dance - San Jose
  • Elisa Echeverria: Transition Manager, Mexican Heritage Plaza - San Jose
  • Ester Fernandez: Curator of Education/ Associate Curator, Triton Museum - Santa Clara
  • Rodrigo Garcia: Artistic Program Manager, Teatro Vision - San Jose
  • Reiko Iwanaga: Program & Outreach Manager, Contemporary Asian Theater Scene; Head dance teacher Obon Odori, San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin - Saratoga
  • Melissa Locsin: Outreach Associate, SJ Repertory Theater - San Jose
  • An Lu: genARTS Steering Committee - San Jose
  • Nora Nguyen: Grant Writer, Community School of Music & Arts; Board Member, Association of Viet Arts - Mountain View
  • Ben Soriano: Owner, South First Billiards - San Jose

"These 12 individuals represent a wide range of cultures and multiethnic organizations," said Tamara Alvarado, 1stACT Silicon Valley's Director of Multicultural Leadership. "I am very excited to be working closely this year with the future leaders of Silicon Valley."

The year-long training program of 1stACT Silicon Valley promotes civic engagement and includes the following activities: training sessions led by skilled practitioners and consultants enabling participants to acquire skills needed to successfully lead an arts organization; access to information resources not typically available to small and mid-sized organizations; regular opportunities to network and collaborate with peers, and onsite training and problem-solving opportunities with prominent business, government and community institutions.

ABOUT 1stACT SILICON VALLEY
1stACT Silicon Valley is a network of cross-sector leaders who care about the cultural and aesthetic quality of life in Silicon Valley. We are working collectively to build: 1) authentic sense of place that fuels community pride and investment; 2) a quality of mix of creative experiences that foster community, cross-cultural understanding and innovation; and 3) a cultural and aesthetic quality of life that attracts and inspires a creative workforce. For more information, visit www.1stact.org.