2024 Leadership Transition
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD
Dear JACK community,
12 years ago, 10 artists who believed in the power of experiments in art, activism, and community co-founded JACK in a retrofitted garage–a space for radical minds to make and share art and community. Since then, JACK has emerged as an essential space for live performance, where artists and audience come together to weather the seasons of what it means to be our full selves, moving with our often marginalized identities while still making art and life work in New York City. As a Board of Directors, we are composed of community members who are passionate about experimental art, activism, JACK, and Brooklyn, and we continue to grow our partnership with JACK’s leadership, staff, artists, and community members. We will also continue to co-steward JACK’s vision as we embrace seasons of change and transition, learning and growing along the way.
In that spirit, we are writing to share the news Skye Kowaleski will be transitioning out of their role by the end of December. In their time as a JACK steward, Skye has seeded and facilitated essential capacity building for the organization and has thoughtfully co-sustained the embodiment of the JACK mission. We are grateful for their contribution to this season of JACK’s development and are excited for them as they prepare for their role as Director of Artist Programs, Learning & Engagement at Brooklyn Arts Council. Congratulations, Skye! We look forward to staying in-community with Skye, and we will continue to work in solidarity with organizations like Brooklyn Arts Council to serve Brooklyn artists in responsive ways.
In support of continuity and collaboration, we welcome Brooklyn-based independent producer Jenni Bowman to the role of Interim Director of JACK; Jenni is a JACK Board member who will be temporarily shifting her focus to operations as we search for JACK’s next director. Thanks, Jenni!
Throughout all seasons of JACK, we’re so grateful for your partnership… your voice, presence, and expression. We invite you to stay connected to our next steps! This summer, during a multi-day retreat with the Board and staff, we clarified our JACK values which included recommitting to embodying justice practice through inclusive collaboration and a culture of care. In the days and hopefully decades to come, we will be guided by these values as we work to sustain this radical JACK experiment with you.
With gratitude,
Samantha Johnson & DeeArah Wright
Board Co-Chairs, JACK Board of Directors