Gabrielle Uballez facilitating a conversation about ArtChangeUS Community Cultural Benefits Institute’s Principle 1: Build Inclusive Organizations. Minneapolis, MN, October 2019. Photo courtesy of: ArtChangeUS
I’m a deeply curious and adaptable collaborator. I work with folks and organizations of all scopes and sizes: from individual artists, to grassroots organizations, to anchor institutions, to foundations and philanthropy. My passion for justice and transformation is rooted in 20-years of experience, at every level, in nonprofits, grassroots initiatives, cultural institutions, and philanthropy.
I am a founding co-facilitator of the New Mexico Women of Color Nonprofit Leadership Initiative at the Santa Fe Community Foundation led by initiative founder, Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz. I have facilitated strategy and alignment for New Mexico grant-makers toward inclusive wealth building for the New Mexico Asset Funders Network. I also have extensive leadership experiences through nonprofit board and municipal committee service and have served on national task forces and panels. I previously advised on national organizing strategy, programs, and non-art sector partnerships for the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture and served as the executive director of Working Classroom, a grassroots arts organization of which I am proud alumnus.
January 2019 - Present
The Asset Funders Network is a membership organization of national, regional, and community-based foundations and grantmakers strategic about using philanthropy to promote economic opportunity and financial security for low- and moderate-income families. As the New Mexico Regional Program Officer, I facilitate discussion among funders and provide them with education, resources, peer networks and information to help them make more strategic investment in strategies in their local communities which support economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income families.
January 2018 - April 2020
Provide strategic and technical assistance to local organizers and connecting efforts across the country; support and cultivate strategic relationships with local and national foundations and funders; build and support a network of Affiliate organizations; recruit and manage volunteers to build organizational capacity; develop and implement initiatives that activate the network of Citizen Artists across the U.S.; develop and manage campaigns and national actions; plan and support regional gatherings and an annual national convening; liaise with key allies, partners, and donors toward shared goals; represent the USDAC at public events and gatherings.
January 2012 - March 2018 (January 2012 - June 2014 as program and deputy director)
Guided the mission, vision, and programming for a multi-generational community of student & professional artists, writers, actors, directors, and media-makers committed to supporting new and diverse voices in the arts and to the creation of original, contemporary artwork that demands a more equitable society.Lead partnerships with non-arts-sector community-based organizations to develop high-quality, people-driven, creative projects that address social justice, narrative change, and the authentic representation of communities of color.
Raised over $450,000 annually through public funding, private foundations, and individual donors. Identified, hired, and collaborated with theater, visual, and media artists locally and nationally to participate in youth- and community-engaged residencies. Hired, managed, and supervised six full-time staff members, dozens of teaching artists, and artists-in-residence and worked with the board of directors to fulfill our mission
Established a New Media and Digital Storytelling program track, incorporating photo, animation, videography, digital editing, and media projects.Expanded the community-engaged Public Art program track by increasing the number of projects and workshops while preserving the quality of mentorship and of final products.Secured, for the first time, a multi-year 21st Century Community Learning Center contract through the New Mexico Public Education Department and the United States Department of Education.Co-produced two creative place-making projects funded by the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant.
September 2008—January 2012
Coordinated events and trips for high-profile patrons and museum members.Coordinated meetings of the Board of Directors and the Acquisitions Committee.Coordinated the budget, vendors, invitation design and printing, venue, reservations, program design, staff assignments, honorees, patron follow-up, and acknowledgements for The Studio Museum Gala that hosted 800+ guests and raised $1.5 million and The Spring Luncheon that hosted nearly 200 guests and raised over $120,000. Coordinated special projects including product development in collaboration with artists for the Museum Store and for the quarterly publication, Studio Magazine.
Grant writing & evaluation
Program design
Multi-sector partnerships
Institutional Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Racial Justice Audits + Design + Implementation
Popular Education methodologies
Facilitation
Executive coaching
B.A. ART + ART HISTORY
Graduated May 2008
EXECUTIVE PROGRAM FOR NON-PROFIT LEADERS
August 2017
EMERGENT LEARNING FACILITATION
January 2018 - January 2019
COACHING FOR EQUITY AND TRANSFORMATION
January 2020 - present (in-progress)
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Affiliate Representative
January 2021—Present
Native American Policy Committee
Environmental Justice Policy Committee
Biennial Leadership Conference Committee 2024, “Re-imagining Democracy”
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
May 2019—Present
Founding CO-FACILITATOR
September 2018—December 2023
COMMITTEE CHAIR + AT-LARGE MEMBER, MAYORAL APPOINTMENT
December 2017—January 2023
GRANT PANELIST ART EDUCATION + CHALLENGE AMERICA
January 2020 + December 2016
BOARD MEMBER
July 2014— December 2016
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT + NM MAIN STREET LIAISON
January 2012— December 2014
NATIONAL TASK FORCE
July 2011