I am very honored to be an inaugural fellow for the new State of the Arts Fellowship Program created by the NY State Council on the Arts. This initiative embeds New York State artists into state agencies to collaborate and develop creative solutions to specific agency challenges. For the next year, I will be working with the Office of Victim Services in Brooklyn and Albany to amplify awareness and engagement around the groundbreaking Fair Access to Victim Compensation Act, which became effective December 31, 2025. This legislation significantly expands victim compensation eligibility, marking a monumental shift toward equitable, trauma-informed support, particularly for underserved populations.

This fellowship presents a vital opportunity for me to work with marginalized communities who face systemic barriers, such as racial discrimination, immigration status, language limitations, or socio-economic challenges. Through innovative outreach strategies that foster real connections, I will collaborate with OVS and key stakeholders to dismantle the walls of misinformation and fear, ensuring that the full spectrum of services is accessible to those in greatest need. I have already begun the research phase where I am embedding in their offices and meeting with advocate groups across the whole state to better understand the issues and what artwork I can do in response. So, lots more to come about all of this…