“When we combine art with traditional community development methods, we can help residents to articulate and realize aspirations for themselves and for their community. Art, in this context, is creativity in thinking, in design, and in action—it is vital for self-determination.”
Aviva Kapust is a designer, educator and advocate for equitable revitalization in underserved urban communities. Since 2013, Aviva has served as executive director of The Village of Arts and Humanities, an organization whose mission is to build opportunity through innovative arts, educational, social, environmental, and economic development programs in North Central Philadelphia. Since joining The Village in 2010 as the director of youth programs and special projects, Kapust has been dedicated to deepening The Village’s commitment to building equity and justice, and to preserving the legacy of the artists, neighbors, leaders, and builders who came before.
Previously, Kapust worked as an art director and creative director at top advertising agencies in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and as an adjunct professor at Temple University. She is a frequent panelist and speaker at events focused on creative placemaking and related economic development strategies, and provides coaching for artists, arts organizations and community development corporations that wish to deepen their community-engaged practices.
Organization:
The Village of Arts and Humanities, Philadelphia
Area of Focus:
Creative Placemaking/Workforce Development
Fellowship project:
Launch a new cooperative business strategy to prepare low-income residents for employment in the tile industry.