My name is Nafeesah Symonette and I was born in Oakland, California, where at the tender age of seven discovered that I could draw.  I forced my parents to pay attention and thankfully, they did.  In an effort to foster my natural ability, when I turned nine, they enrolled me in Young Artists & Co., a non-profit youth arts initiative in Detroit, Michigan.

 

Young Artists & Co. became the training ground of my career.  Because of it, I understand the importance of cultivating creativity in young people.  I understand the how and why it’s imperative that we acknowledge art and infuse it into our everyday existence.  I understand how being introduced to the arts early and often can impact how we think, feel and grow, especially when introduced through the vehicle of education.  From birth through higher education, I know how art builds confidence, helps one think critically and effect change.

 

I have a BFA in drawing and painting with K-12 teaching certification and a Master's of Art in Arts Administration.  My passion lies in the arts, specifically arts education, advocacy, collaboration, program development and effective professional development practices.  Currently, I work as Manager of Art Education for Paint Creek Center for the Arts, located in Rochester, MI.  With 13 years of experience as a visual arts educator, present day arts advocacy champion, I hope to serve in the role as change agent. My goal is very simple, to disrupt the the status quo of how the world engages with the arts.

​

My journey thorough the arts has been guided by Educator's, Director’s and Mentor's who have helped usher me into the space of Thinker, Leader and Creative in the field of Arts Education, Arts Advocacy, Program Development and Event Design. 

 

I'm elated to be back in Michigan and look forward to what the mitten has in store for me. 

​