June 25, 2021
Creative Growth announced today the departure of Executive Director Elizabeth Brodersen, effective July 1. Brodersen joined the organization as executive director in February 2019, and is departing after successfully leading the organization through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic to the eagerly anticipated reopening of the Studio to artists on July 6.
During her tenure, Brodersen guided Creative Growth through a tumultuous period, during which the organization had to reinvent every element of its programs from predominantly in-person operations to entirely remote and online, while navigating a constantly shifting regulatory, financial, and sociopolitical landscape. Despite the uncertainties generated by the pandemic, under Brodersen’s leadership the organization completed three consecutive fiscal years with operating surpluses, while developing innovative ways to help Creative Growth artists stay connected and supported in their artistic practice, participating in virtual exhibitions and art fairs, and developing online viewing rooms and enhanced social media communications for sharing the artists’ creative expression with a growing global audience. At the same time, Brodersen guided the development of a strategic plan focusing on elevating the artists’ role in organizational policy and decision making, advancing justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility throughout the organization, and building systems to enhance internal collaboration and operational infrastructure, while preparing to safely reopen the Studio. She also fostered a collaborative board-staff process to develop new mission, vision, and values statements centering on creativity, respect, care, self-expression, accessibility, and equity. Brodersen also nurtured strong collaborative relationships with other nonprofits serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Bay Area, while colleagues at progressive art studios across the world participated in two symposia hosted by Creative Growth to provide a forum for sharing best practices, as well as for establishing new studios inspired by the model created by Creative Growth’s founders, Elias and Florence Ludins Katz.
As a result, Creative Growth is poised to welcome artists back to the Studio as a stronger, more flexible, and more adaptable organization, at a time when many arts organizations have been forced to close their doors permanently.
“Over the past year and more of sheltering in place, Creative Growth staff and artists have achieved remarkable feats,” says Brodersen, “staying connected through hundreds of Zoom classes, dozens of art drop-offs and pickups, and thousands of check-ins, establishing the organization’s first Artist Advisory Council and monthly Town Halls, hosting diverse visiting artists, presenting their own artist talks and participating in press and corporate partnership opportunities, publishing a celebrated book of poetry, learning to use technology in new ways, grappling with acute issues of equity and social justice, and supporting each other through an unbelievably difficult time in our country’s history—all the while finding new ways to keep making spectacular art in some very uncommon spaces.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this incredible creative community, and, after 15 months of pandemic-driven sprinting, this feels like a good moment for me to hand the reins over to a new leader who will help write the next exciting chapter in Creative Growth’s history.”
“Elizabeth’s legacy of leadership during an unprecedented time of change and challenge will be remembered with gratitude,” says Stephen Walrod, President of the Creative Growth Board of Directors. “She led a strategic planning process in the midst of the pandemic, creating an ambitious roadmap for organizational maturation, while at the same time supporting staff and artists daily as they creatively adapted to remote services. Elizabeth brought a big heart, a passionate commitment to art and equity, and an incredible work ethic to her job every day. Her impact will continue to be felt for years to come.”
Creative Growth will begin the search for a new executive director immediately.