Can you tell us a little about your background and what drew you to the field of arts research?

Jasmine: I began my research career focused on gender-based violence, dedicating my undergraduate and graduate studies to understanding how survivors—especially Black women—navigate trauma while caring for themselves, their families, and their communities. Over time, I saw that healing was often intertwined with storytelling, and that art offered a unique space for survivors to process experiences and reclaim their narratives in ways words alone could not.

This realization was a turning point. It connected my commitment to social justice with a deep appreciation for the arts as a vehicle for healing, empowerment, and cultural preservation. Guided by a Black feminist lens, I want to continue that work here by supporting Black artists and other artists of color whose work reflects their lived experiences and challenges Eurocentric definitions of art.

Drawing on what I’ve learned from my work in the gender-based violence movement and my own personal values, I aim to lead with the values of healing, accountability, and social consciousness into the arts field. My goal is not only to understand how the arts sector operates, but also to help ensure it remains a space where underrepresented voices are amplified, respected, and valued.

Nicole: My research career began with a focus on the child welfare system following my years as a foster parent and caseworker supporting families. During these years, I had witnessed the inequitable treatment that families, especially Black, Latino/a/x, and Native American families, experience in the child welfare system. I realized that I wanted to and needed to better understand how decisions are made within systems that impact families and communities as well as the racial inequities deeply rooted within social systems which irreparably harm communities.

Through my graduate studies, I learned about the importance of advocating alongside communities affected by policies and social systems, and how their lived experiences must inform research and policy. My studies allowed me to better understand the experience of individuals and communities within social systems and the need for culturally-competent, equity-centered research. I learned that research on communities must be conducted with communities no matter the focus area (e.g., child welfare systems, social issues, and the arts).

I have long been drawn to the arts as I began to study music from a young age. This fellowship feels like a full-circle moment for me as I am returning to the arts field, not as a musician, but as a researcher in the arts. I am looking forward to combining my passion for the arts along with my experience supporting families and communities through research to support artists and to better understand their experiences and needs.

How do you see your unique perspective or background influencing how you approach your fellowship projects?

Jasmine: Through my work in the gender-based violence field, I learned that harm is shaped not only by individual relationship dynamics, but also by structural conditions such as housing insecurity, limited resources, social support, and emotional well-being—factors I’ve come to see as equally influential in the arts field. Artists, like survivors, create within systems that can either nurture or restrict them, and their work is often shaped by lived experiences of inequity, resilience, and community. As a community psychologist, I bring a trauma-informed, systems-level perspective and expertise in community-based participatory research to center voices, preserve diverse stories, and co-create solutions. These skills equip me to approach my fellowship projects by working alongside artists and other influential players in the arts sector to document and honor their work, highlight its social and historical significance, and strengthen the networks that sustain it—valuing both the art itself and the ecosystem that makes it possible.

Nicole: As a social worker and researcher, I have learned that research is influenced by who conducts it, the systems it interacts with, and the perspectives a researcher brings. For this fellowship, while we do share our passion for the arts, I recognize that I am not a professional artist. As a researcher, I have often not held similar identities with the communities I partner with. For this reason, I ensure that I practice equity-centered research, such as community-based participatory research. I am committed to centering the voices and experiences of the communities and its members the research is focused on. This includes recognizing that I am not the expert, and that the artists and community organizations are as they are the ones with the direct experience. Just as Jasmine has shared above, I will work alongside artists and related partners to amplify their work, support the arts ecosystem, and advance arts vibrancy. I hope to draw on my blend of social work, music, and research backgrounds to positively support the fellowship’s projects. 

Is there a particular skill or area of knowledge you’re hoping to strengthen during this fellowship?

Jasmine: I’m hoping to strengthen my quantitative research skills during this fellowship. While my background is strong in qualitative and mixed-methods research, most of my recent work has centered on narrative and storytelling. I value those approaches deeply, but I also recognize how powerful numbers can be—especially when paired with context—to communicate impact. I want to build my capacity in areas like data analysis and visualization so I can more effectively use quantitative evidence alongside qualitative insights to tell a fuller, more compelling story.

Nicole: Similar to Jasmine, I hope to strengthen my quantitative skills as I have had most of my experience in qualitative and mixed-methods research as well. I also recognize the importance and power of numbers, and their ability to provide validation for the experiences and narratives of participants captured in qualitative data. Finally, I am excited to work deeply in the arts field as I have truly missed it. I am looking forward to learning how to better support artists and organizations to share their stories through research.