Think Explore Share Panelists
The Arts Work Fund
For the Fall cycle of Think Explore Share grants, AWF gathered a dynamic group of experienced practitioners, administrators, and culture workers to review the proposals.
Alexandria Eregbu
Alexandria Eregbu is an independent curator whose practice spans across art, music, education, justice, and the humanities in order to consider public discourse and human behaviors that dignify African-American experiences, women, and children. As a self-prescribed ‘art-thropologist,’ Alexandria is most invested in acknowledging the ways by which honoring the creative process contributes to wellness and liberation of people in modern society. Her work often refers to the medicine found in origin stories, songs, and Black archives to affirm and uplift Afro, indigenous, and womanist perspectives concerning community, healing, and ecology. Alexandria shares these musings through her platform FINDING IJEOMA, where she consults and curates visual and time-based media for exhibitions, programs, and DJ sets in partnership with artists, businesses, foundations, and organizations. Alexandria’s work has appeared on screen in Candyman (2021) directed by Nia DaCosta, in print and on the internet. Her writing has been published by the University of Chicago Press, Sixty Inches From Center, Terremoto Magazine, Candor Arts, and Green Lantern Press. She has presented work in partnership with MacArthur Foundation, Independent Curators International, the College Art Association of America, EXPO Chicago, Soho House, Stony Island Arts Bank, Southside Community Art Center, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, the University of Oregon’s Art + Design, the Center for Afrofuturist Studies, Poets House, the Camargo Foundation in Cassis, France, Casa Rosada in Salvador, Brazil, the Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans, among others.
She earned an MA in Visual and Critical Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she currently teaches in the Fiber & Material Studies & Writing departments.
Logan Jones
Logan Jones (he/they) is the Managing Director of About Face Theatre and a Chicago-based artist, administrator, and consultant. Logan has frequently collaborated with multiple theatre companies while utilizing his artistic and technical skills, organizational capabilities, and highly- collaborative working style. He has worked with Ensemble Consulting as Facilitator and Project Manager on various leadership transitions and organizational development projects since 2015. As a stage manager and production manager, he has helmed multiple productions for About Face Theatre, American Theater Company, The House Theatre of Chicago, Windy City Playhouse, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 13Exp, and the American Music Theatre Project, among others. Logan holds a BA in Theatre and BA in Modern Languages from Kansas State University, a certificate in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from University of South Florida, and is a graduate of the Axelson Center Bootcamp for Nonprofit CEOs at North Park University.
Sydney Murphy
Sydney Murphy (she/they) is the Operations and Grants Associate at the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. She previously served as the Administrative Coordinator for the Chicago Cultural Alliance supporting and collaborating with arts and cultural organizations across the city. She received her B.A in Africana Studies with minors in Sociology and Philosophy from Oberlin College (2020). She is a museum enthusiast and cultural advocate and has interned at several art museums including the Studio Museum in Harlem, The Phillips Collection, and the Allen Memorial Art Museum. Sydney grew up in Evanston, IL and enjoys cooking, reading and exploring Chicago’s food scene.
Kate Piatt-Eckert
Kate Piatt-Eckert, Director of the Mission Sustainability Initiative at Forefront, has twenty years of experience in theatrical production and administration, most recently serving as Executive Director of Steep Theatre where she served on the boards of the League of Chicago Theatres and the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce. As the fifth generation involved in the operations of an historic house museum in central Ohio, Kate supports her family business as the CFO at Piatt Castle. She is driven by a desire to explore the complex intersections of art, community development, data-driven decision-making, and human-centered non-profit governance. Kate has a B.A. from Reed College and a Master of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Kimeco Roberson
Kimeco Roberson (she/her), Director of Programs and Partnerships, Marwen has served Chicago’s communities for over 20 years through work in arts administration, youth development, social justice, and civics. Prior to joining Marwen, Kimeco held multilevel leadership and administrative roles at Heartland Alliance, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District, After School Matters, and other nonprofit, city, and community organizations. A trained circle keeper, graduate of Columbia College Chicago, and ensemble member of Honey Pot Performance, Kimeco is also a vocalist and songwriter.
Meet the Grantees