Nikki Kirk
About Nikki Kirk
Nikki Kirk serves as the Equity in Arts Leadership Program Manager at Americans for the Arts in New York City, where she has worked since 2020. With a background in arts administration and a commitment to enhancing diversity in the arts sector, she has held various roles in organizations focused on cultural equity and leadership development.
Work at Americans for the Arts
Nikki Kirk has served as the Equity in Arts Leadership Program Manager at Americans for the Arts since February 2020. In this role, she focuses on enhancing equity within the arts sector, specifically targeting leadership opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Her work involves the design and implementation of programs that aim to improve access and advancement in the arts and culture sector.
Previous Experience in the Arts and Culture Sector
Prior to her current position, Nikki Kirk held various roles in the arts and culture sector. She worked as a front of house associate at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for eight months in 2014. Additionally, she served as a program officer for the Cultural Facilities Fund at the Massachusetts Cultural Council from 2015 to 2016. Her experience also includes roles as Presto Program Manager at El Sistema USA and Assistant Event Manager at MKTG.
Education and Expertise
Nikki Kirk holds a Master of Arts in Arts, Festival, and Cultural Management from Queen Margaret University, which she completed from 2016 to 2017. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts from Pitzer College, where she studied Political Linguistics and Spanish from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, she completed graduate coursework in Arts Administration at Boston University - Metropolitan College from 2014 to 2015.
Background in Human Rights and Community Engagement
Nikki Kirk has a background in community engagement and human rights. She worked as a special events intern at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, California, for two months in 2012. This experience contributed to her understanding of social justice issues and the importance of equity in the arts.
Involvement in Program Development
Throughout her career, Nikki Kirk has been actively involved in envisioning and developing programs that enhance entry and advancement for individuals from diverse backgrounds in the arts. She has designed and implemented initiatives specifically aimed at improving leadership opportunities for underrepresented arts administrators, demonstrating her commitment to equity in the arts.