Officially Funded. Time to Work

I applied for this grant last year and was notified the day after the election in November. After waking up to chaotic headlines about Trump winning, this was the one piece of good news that cut through the noise. It felt like a win in a moment that felt uncertain. The announcement was made public in January 2025, and now it’s time to work. I’m honored to be part of the 2025 Artist to Work Grant cohort, alongside other incredible artists doing meaningful work.

This grant isn’t just about funding. It gives me the reassurance of financial stability. With or without this funding, I was planning on doing this. But getting this grant gives me peace of mind, along with creative freedom, recognition, and the opportunity to connect with other artists in the cohort. It’s a push to invest in my own work in a way I haven’t before. As someone who has spent years using design and photography to support movements, I’ve been thinking more about what it means to create space for reflection, conversation, and impact through my own projects. This is a step in that direction.

In 2023, I took a leap with CONÓCETE AL HUESO, blending photography, storytelling, movement, and sound into a personal and raw experience. That process gave me even more drive to create and take on new challenges. It reinforced my commitment to my work, driving me to keep evolving in storytelling, movement, and photography in ways that feel meaningful. This grant gives me the space to build on that momentum and see where it takes me.

Thank you to the City of Phoenix Arts and Culture Department for investing in artists and recognizing the power of creative work. Congratulations to all the other grantees. You can check out the full list of artists and their work here: https://www.phoenix.gov/arts/grants-program/artiststowork/grantees. I’m excited to see what we all create.