Call her a 'rising star' would be an understatement when it comes to Kat Brigian Sierra.
Credit: Funding Arts Broward
Funding Arts Broward (FAB) has announced a leadership move that comes with a compelling full-circle story.
The Fort Lauderdale-based arts philanthropy organization has promoted Katiuska "Kat" Brigian Sierra from Director of Operations to Executive Director, elevating the woman who became FAB's very first employee in 2019.
Founded in 2003 by artist and philanthropist Francie Bishop Good and a group of arts supporters, Funding Arts Broward spent more than 16 years operating entirely through volunteer leadership. Since joining the organization, Sierra has helped transform FAB from a volunteer-led effort into a professionally staffed nonprofit while maintaining its grassroots mission of supporting Broward County's arts community.
"Kat has been instrumental in Funding Arts Broward's evolution since becoming our first employee in 2019," Denise St. Patrick Bell, Ph.D., president of Funding Arts Broward, tells Browardist. "For more than a decade and a half, FAB's dedicated volunteers built a strong foundation for arts philanthropy in Broward County."
Sierra brings more than two decades of nonprofit arts leadership experience to the role. A Queens native who now calls South Florida home, she studied fine art photography at both the School of Visual Arts in New York City and Florida Atlantic University. Her background spans creative practice, nonprofit management, fundraising strategy and arts advocacy.
Before joining FAB, Sierra worked as a nonprofit arts consultant, advising organizations on governance, fundraising and organizational development. She also served as Managing Director of New York City's Marion Holden Theatre, overseeing programming, staffing and operational growth.
Bell credits Sierra with helping build the framework needed for FAB's next chapter.
"Kat helped transform that foundation into a sustainable operational model while preserving the community-driven spirit that defines our organization," Bell said. "Her deep understanding of Broward's cultural landscape, combined with her passion for supporting artists and arts organizations, makes her the ideal leader to guide FAB into its next chapter."
As Executive Director, Sierra will work alongside the board to expand support for artists and arts organizations, cultivate new philanthropic partnerships and strengthen FAB's role as a catalyst for cultural investment across Broward County.
Since its founding, Funding Arts Broward has awarded more than $6.5 million in grants supporting visual arts, performing arts, public art, arts education and cultural programming throughout the county.
