Diverse Community. Real Artists. Thoughtful Conversations.
In this Community Conversation, we will explore the role of public art and policymaking in recognizing the labor and legacies of women’s work. Inspired by the themes present in Sawyer Rose’s exhibition, we’ll discuss how we hold space for women as institutions, individuals, and collectives.
Join us in conversation with Amanda Rawson and Quynh-Mai Nguyen of the Womanhood Project. Womanhood, a project of Art Builds Community, is an arts-based initiative that explores different ways to commemorate women from all intersectional identities and their significant contributions to the region and beyond. Womanhood is an initiative through the County of Santa Clara Office of Women's Policy. This conversation will also feature Julie Ramirez, the current Interim Director for the County of Santa Clara Office of Women’s Policy. You can learn more about the Womanhood Project’s upcoming programs, project updates, artist calls, and more here!
Nominate a woman or group who inspires you and should be considered for recognition through Womanhood.
Help the Womanhood Project identify places within the County for women's recognition through coUrbanize!
This event is free for all with an RSVP.
Featured Panelists
Amanda Rawson (she/her) has participated in the cultural art sector for more than eight years. She joined Art Builds Community, a small public art and consulting firm in 2019, where she manages and leads research for many different public projects for cities, counties, and communities. Previously, Amanda worked as the Major Gifts Officer for the San Jose Museum of Art and the Donor and External Relations Manager at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles.
Rawson’s background in art history, development, and program management enables her to create spaces that bring together community. She is a 2017 Fellow of the Emerging Arts Professionals Bay Area with a focus on the topic Creative City and she participated in The Silicon Valley Organization’s Leadership San Jose program in 2018.
Amanda currently serves on the Board of Directors for Local Color in San José, the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, and is a founding member of San Jose Arts Advocates. She is the current chair of genArts Silicon Valley, a program of Silicon Valley Creates that is dedicated to empowering creative individuals and emerging arts leaders through professional development, advocacy, and networking.
Amanda holds a BA in Art History from the University of California Berkeley.
Quynh-Mai Nguyen (she / her / chị / em) is a social practice artist, poet, musician, community organizer, and creative producer with experience leading projects that focus on storytelling and building cultural awareness around the narratives of women, AAPI, people of color, and other underrepresented minority groups. Quynh-Mai joined Art Builds Community in 2020 as a Creative Director and helps lead marketing, community engagement and outreach for public art projects for communities and institutions.
In 2018, KQED Arts Bay Brilliant named her one of 10 recognized movement builders for arts and culture in the Bay Area. She has worked as a production assistant for Giant Creative and Left Coast Live Music Festival, organizer for TEDxSanJoseCA, executive producer for Sonido Clash Music Fest, graphic designer for Sonido Clash, co-producer for All-Womxn's Showcase, art director and graphic designer for Kooltura Marketing, producer for ImagineSJ Showcase, producer and marketing consultant for SV De-Bug, and web/graphic designer and consultant for the County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs.
Nguyen holds a Bachelors in Advertising (creative track) and Graphic Design from San José State University. She is a 2020 Emerging City Champion for San José and is also an alumni to the Multicultural Arts Leadership Institute, a leadership network of artists and arts administrators of color.
Julie Ramirez currently serves as the Interim Director for the County of Santa Clara Office of Women’s Policy. Following a nearly two-year departure to help start up The Office of Gender-Based Violence Prevention, she returned in June 2021 to lead Women’s Policy in its mission to elevate and empower women and girls. With a focus on gender equity, she has trained and facilitated work groups on human trafficking, pay equity and youth leadership. Her high-quality work and can-do attitude serve as an anchor for the collaborative nature necessary to make systemic change.
Julie’s strong commitment to public service runs deep and is demonstrated by her long history of civic engagement. She currently serves as Chair for both Somos Mayfair and San Jose Jazz. She has been recognized by her peers for her community service, receiving the 2013 La Familia Award from the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, The Sisterhood Award from the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley in 2019, and was recently one of 18 participants from the state of California to be named a Rise Up California Leader to improve gender equity and advance social justice.
Julie earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and her master’s degree in Public Administration from San Jose State University. She resides in East San Jose with her husband, Len, and three children, Lenny, Amanda and Lucas.
About Community Conversations
This regular discussion series is open to all and will feature the voices of our diverse community of artists, guest collaborators, and museum staff. We will unpack the questions and ideas present in our current exhibitions.
Sawyer Rose, Lauren, 2021. Wood, Chains, Gold And Silver Leaf, Cardboard
Community Conversations: Recognizing Women Through Public Art & Policy
NUMU's mission is to make programming accessible to all. Donations directly support the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs. Please contribute whatever you are able.
Major support for NUMU's virtual programs and events provided by Badger Meter, Inc.
With additional program support from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation
and SVCreates, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara.
