Learning the Fire of Things
By Elyanna Montalvo
I started working with Cultural Coalition in October of last year, when I received the Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture student worker grant. The fall is a very busy time for them as they host the valley’s largest Mikiztli: Día de los Muertos festival. As I began onboarding, I realized the team was juggling responsibilities in preparation for the upcoming festival and additional collaborations they had booked. Although there was so much happening in front of me, I excitedly stepped into my role as Art & Community Engagement Assistant, eager to connect with my community and learn the fire of things.
During my time, I gained very valuable experience learning about non-profit operations, museum collections care, and event planning for large festivals! I’m grateful to have had a supervisor like Renee who trusted me to take the lead on many projects and continuously helped me connect with the local community and network. I was very hesitant to take the lead since everything was so new, but after a couple months I started to feel confident sharing ideas and leading multiple projects.
This role helped me fulfill two major goals I set for myself upon graduating from university. The 1st one was getting experience in the museum/arts field. The 2nd was learning and reconnecting with my Mexican culture in Phoenix. Kickstarting my career in Phoenix was extremely important to me as my family is from Phoenix, but I didn’t grow up here. I had a strong desire to connect with the city where my family chose to lay their roots. At Cultural Coalition, I learned about traditional performances, arts, and healing practices that expanded beyond Mexican culture to various Indigenous cultures as well. Through festival organization, collections management, and spontaneous museum visits, I learned about the Indigenous people and traditions that make this land so special. I am grateful I was granted the opportunity to work in an environment that uplifts Indigenous communities and promotes the visibility of their traditions.
Although I don’t know what’s next for me, I’m stepping out of this role with clarity and abundant knowledge – eager to expand my growth and relationship with the world around me.
Last year, Cultural Coalition hired Elyanna as an ArtCorp Student Worker thanks to a grant program from the Phoenix Arts & Culture Department. She contributed so much as part of the team, we were lucky to have her and miss her already!
Thank you Elyanna for all your hard work and we wish you the best of luck in future career in the arts!