Release: Lauren Frick Joins Nevada arts Council as Community Arts Development Specialist
The Nevada Arts Council welcomes Lauren Frick as a community arts development specialist serving the northern Nevada area. Frick (she/they) will support the state’s nonprofit arts organizations, local arts agencies and community arts councils, and municipalities to develop a statewide arts/cultural network. The program helps maintain and promote the arts in Nevada at the grassroots level through community action planning, grants, and technical assistance (site visits, research, referrals, and skills-training). It also helps build relationships between arts and cultural organizations and the rest of the state.
“The existence of this position shows the power of grassroots organizations and how local arts organization can shape their community through and with the arts,” Frick said. “Arts and creativity are meaningful tools for community engagement and building. Whether going a to a gallery, witnessing a piece being performed, experiencing public art, and creating together, the arts encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and provide a sense of place and belonging within our communities.”
Frick graduated with their Master of Arts in English with a focus in Public Engagement from the University of Nevada, Reno and received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Indiana University Northwest. In addition to their work with the Nevada Arts Council, they co-run the Reno Community Art Closet. This community project circulates new and gently used art supplies to ensure that all artists and aspiring artists have the means to create. Frick is a writer and an artist, and she is excited to be able to help support grassroots art organizations continue to serve their communities.
“Through their public engagement and literary background, Lauren adds a unique perspective to the agency and the community arts development role,” said Tony Manfredi, Nevada Arts Council executive director. “They feel deeply passionate about helping the Nevada Arts Council ensure that Nevadans continue to receive the economic, civic, cultural, educational, and health benefits that arts and creativity provide.”
Frick is based in the agency’s Reno office.
Get to Know Me More: Lauren Frick (she/They)
Is there a preferred name or other name you use?
I am also known as Ren.
What do you do in your Spare Time?
I really enjoy cooking with people and for other people. I also like outdoor activities, and I’m always trying to be in a body of water. I’m a big fan of cold plunges and swimming.
How do You get inspired?
Generally, it’s when I’m with other people and collaborating. We are planning something and throwing ideas around about an event or community gathering. Often, we gather around a kitchen table, and there’s always soup or something. There’s nothing like sitting around a very cozy space and talking with people about what they want to see and are passionate about. I always leave thinking, “Whoa, that was really good, and I’m ready to do something.”
What is your favorite type of creative work?
I enjoy writing poetry. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with it by putting it on collages or different visual media. One of my friends did a bird-theme gallery exhibit. For example, they had a goose print, and I put my poem about a goose on it. I’ve also made collages and then made a blackout poem from the same magazine to go with it. I’m thinking about the intersection of the written word and the visual. I’m exploring it more.
What adventure are you eager to go on?
I want to go skydiving. I want to jump out of a plane. It’s an experience where you really get to release a lot of pent-up energy. I think it would be really cathartic.
Final thoughts?
I’m really excited to meet more people in the arts community, not only in Reno but also in rural communities. I’m looking forward to helping strengthen organizations that are fixtures in their communities and support new and upcoming organizations and emerging artists. I want to be a part of uplifting folks, sharing access to resources, and elevating their presence.
If you have any community arts development ideas for Nevada, you can reach Lauren Frick at lfrick@nevadaculture.org.