Release: Nevada Arts Council Taps Sogand Tabatabaei as Northern Nevada Arts Learning Specialist
The Nevada Arts Council has hired Sogand Tabatabaei as an arts learning specialist based in northern Nevada. Tabatabaei will coordinate and execute K-12 and lifelong learning arts educational programs, such as the Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Roster, Nevada Poetry Out Loud, and Creative Aging programs.
She will also assist with arts learning grants available to teaching artists and nonprofit organizations statewide to improve teaching practices and ensure the high-quality delivery of programming throughout the state.
She works to increase arts learning and arts integration into Nevada classrooms and foster partnerships to ensure accessible arts education for all Nevadans regardless of age and background. She is exceptionally passionate about bringing more resources to underrepresented communities in northern Nevada. Tabatabaei is based in the agency’s Reno office.
“I’ve always been passionate about education and the arts,” Tabatabaei said. “I’ve looked for a career in art education because it’s very important to help the next generation of creatives develop their skills that will help build stronger and more resilient communities.”
Tabatabaei earned her Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts from the University of Nevada, Reno, and her Bachelor of Arts in Painting from Tehran University of Art. She has spent more than a decade as a visual artist, incorporating her drawings and textile designs into a tapestry of artistic identity. Tabatabaei also is involved in the northern Nevada arts scene as a board member for Double Scoop, a nonprofit arts reporting outlet, and an art educator at the Nevada Museum of Art.
“Sogand shares a deep passion for arts education and has already begun to develop strong connections within the northern Nevada community,” said Tony Manfredi, Nevada Arts Council executive director. “Her experience in arts education is an asset to the team, and we are ecstatic to now have a second position dedicated to arts learning alongside our southern Nevada position.”
Get to Know Me More: Sogand Tabatabaei (she/her)
How do you pronounce your name?
So-gahnd Tah-bah-tah-bah-ee
[soʊ-gænd tæbɑːtɑːbɑː-iː]
What are you passionate about?
I’m really passionate about teaching because it not only has the power to impact someone’s life, but it also creates a meaningful exchange of knowledge. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about passing on what I’ve learned to others. At the same time, I’m a lifelong learner, and teaching puts me in environments where I can both share and absorb knowledge. I often sign up for new art classes—not just to develop new skills, but to learn the techniques my peers use.
How do I get inspired?
I get inspired by seeing other people’s art, and I love engaging in conversations with people and hearing their stories. Both keep me motivated and fuel my creativity. I’m also a bit of a history fan—I enjoy looking back, reading about what’s been done before us, and exploring older techniques.
What discipline do you practice?
I’m a collage artist, primarily working with collages and ink drawings. I love incorporating what I call “visual memories,” which are essentially found objects that tell the story of my journey. Recently, I’ve been diving into installations and experimenting with my collages in three-dimensional forms. It’s been a lot of fun testing out different techniques for these installations!
Tell me more …
As I explore different mediums, I’ve also been getting into fiber art and textile design, especially the intricate, richly textured artifacts from my home country, Iran. One fascinating example is Persian carpet weaving—it’s an art form full of layers, meaning, and stories. Fiber art has quickly become one of my favorite creative outlets, and I find so much inspiration in it. The way each layer comes together to form the whole piece resonates with me and conceptually connects with the collage process I use in my own work.
Final thoughts?
In this position, I am committed to making arts education accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or age. My goal is to clarify the concept of arts education, making it approachable for all. I envision a vibrant community where more individuals engage with art, fostering an environment where art education can truly thrive.
If you have any art education ideas for Nevada, you can reach Sogand Tabatabaei at stabatabaei@nevadaculture.org.