MARIAN TAYLOR BROWN

Marian (she/they) is a soul activist, cultural strategist, artivist, and death doula. Marian centers collective action to deepen justice-rooted liberatory work as a transdisciplinary educator, learner, researcher, and creator. They have lived many lives and presently work at the nexus of praxis and academia — centered on justice, healing, creativity, and leadership nurturing.

Marian’s unyielding optimism in what we can collectively nurture and grow keeps her on the path. Her life is committed to 'big love' – spending her remaining time in Earth School (life) attuned to cross-generational healing, creative justice, and joy.

Marian adores being in nature and with animals, is a Buddhist practitioner, proud auntie, and goddy to many nibblings, and above all, is a fierce lover of people. They spend much of their free time in the mountains, with family and friends, and at various community (arts) events. Marian calls Dorchester, MA, home; the lands of the Massachusett peoples, where she lives with her life partner, Avanish, and their fur babies Annabelle, George, Bond, and Kittu. Their hearts belong to family globally, with tender holding for Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, India) where Avanish was raised, and the Finger Lakes (Upstate, New York) where Marian was raised.

Marian asserts no work is free from bias, acknowledging that our ways of being and navigating the world are deeply connected to our intersectional identities. With this, they offer their identities as a queer, white, educated, multi-disabled, millennial, gender-fluid being. Marian welcomes you to learn more about their education, work experience, teaching, consulting, publications, art and more below.

Marian's life is dedicated to living with courage, laughter, and love in honor of their beloved Sara Marie Ferrarone, 10.7.86 - 11.25.12.

HIGHER EDUCATION TRAINING

2016 - 2020 | Doctorate of Philosophy, Global Inclusion & Social Development, University of Massachusetts Boston

2011 - 2012 | Master in Education, Arts in Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education

2005 - 2009 | Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art, minor in Education, Colorado College

CERTIFICATES & ACCREDITATIONS

2024 | End of Life Doula Professional Certificate, Lerner College of Medicine, University of Vermont

2015 | Scaling for Impact Completion Certificate, The Harvard Graduate School of Education

2014 | Nonprofit Management and Leadership Core Certificate, Questrom School of Business, Boston University

2012 | Global Health Leadership Training Certificate, Global Health Corps, Yale University

2008 - 2011 | Level II Alpine Skiing, Children’s Level II, and Freestyle Level I accreditations, Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA)

HIGHER EDUCATION

2023 - | Harvard Graduate School of Education, Adjunct Lecturer

2022 - | UMass Boston, Visiting Researcher & Lecturer

2021 - 2022 | Hochschule Heilbronn, Visiting Assistant Professor

2016 - 2019 | UMass Boston, Research Assistant - Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI)

2011 - 2012 | Harvard Graduate School of Education, Research Assistant - Project Zero

ARTS & CULTURE

2014 - 2024 | Arts Connect International, Founder & (co)Director

2013 - 2014 | Art & Global Health Center Africa, Global Health Corps, Research and Development Fellow

2012 - 2013 | ARTZ: Artists for Alzheimer’s, Associate Director and Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, Research Associate

2011 - 2012 | Open Door Arts, Research Assistant

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

2008 - 2012 | Private Ski Instructor and Competitive Mogul Skiing Coach for Vail Resorts, Aspen Skiing Company, and Team Breckenridge

PRESENT

Marian is an Adjunct Lecturer at The Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Visiting Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Boston, School for Global Inclusion & Social Development.

PREVIOUS

Marian taught as a visiting Assistant Professor at Heilbronn University (2021 — 2022) and for the Honors College at UMass Boston as an Associate Lecturer (2019 — 2020).

CLASSES DEVELOPED + TAUGHT

• Transformative Leadership in Arts in Learning | Harvard Graduate School of Education

• Healing, Creative & Intersectional Justice | UMass Boston

• The Art of Systems Leadership | Harvard Graduate School of Education

• International Aspects of Culture & Leisure Management | Hochschule Heilbronn University

• Case Studies on Current Issues in Culture and Leisure Management | Hochschule Heilbronn University

• Systems Leadership for Social Change | UMass Boston

SUMMARY

Marian works alongside arts and culture and higher education leaders as a consultant, thought partner, and coach. They specialize in systems analysis, asset mapping, strategic planning, organizational transformation, transition management, leadership development, research, monitoring and evaluation, community-directed grant processes, systems leadership models, and application and programmatic development. All of their work is rooted in equity and justice.

CLIENTS | COLLABORATORS

• Mass Cultural Council

• Massachusetts College of Art & Design (MassArt)

• New England Museum Association (NEMA)

• The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)

• Harvard EdPortal

• Now + There

• MASSCreative

• Open Door Arts

• Laughter League

• Magik Theatre

• The Dance Complex

• New Rep Theater

• MassMoca by way of MassAssembly

ARTS & CULTURE INNOVATION

In 2014 Marian founded the Boston-based non-profit Arts Connect International (ACI), where she was a (co)Director from 2014 to 2024. ACI focuses on building equity and creative justice in arts and culture. Contact ACI’s co-directors to get involved in their current work.

TENURE HIGHLIGHTS

• co-created a nationally recognized & awarded organization focused on building equity and justice

• co-built the Transformative Research Collective, a group of artists, academics, and community members who generate research by and for community (initiated in 2022)

• co-founded the Cultural Equity Incubator, a collective action shared workspace for arts and culture leaders committed to racial equity, redistributed over $1.5M (initiated in 2021)

• co-built the Cultural Equity Learning Community – an asynchronous anti-racism course with wrap-around supports for sector leadership, 3K+ arts leaders trained as of 2024 (initiated in 2020)

• launched and co-led Consult with ACI, 15+ orgs served, contracts totaling $250K+ (initiated in 2019)

• co-launched Creative Justice Fellows program, an internship for undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience with equity-focused arts organizations (2021 – 2024)

• collectively awarded ripple grants to artists affected by COVID-19, distributed $60K (2020)

• created and co-led the national Arts Equity Summit, convening 2K+ arts leaders (2019 – 2020)

• co-developed the Youth United Artists program for youth-driven artistic research (2018 – 2019)

• co-developed and ran retreats for creatives working towards equity and justice (initiated in 2017)

• built an international artist-in-residence program for social justice artists – supported ten artists across disciplines and geographies, distributed $250K in grants (2014 – 2017)

• raised $3.5M+

PUBLICATIONS

2025 | In process, short-form book: Creative Justice & Collective Action. Global Creative Economy, Routledge, UK., co-authors Andrea Gordillo, mica rose

2022 | From Grassroots to Systems Change: Art for Social Justice published in the Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society, co-authors Hyppolite Ntigurirwa, Andrea Gordillo, mica rose

2021 | Embodied, Intergenerational Knowledge: Reconceptualizing Leadership Nurturing in Arts and Culture Management Education published in the American Journal of Arts Management, co-authors mica rose and Mel Taing

2020 | Examining Cultural Equity: Boston’s Arts & Culture Sector published on ProQuest, dissertation, School for Global Inclusion & Social Development, University of Massachusetts Boston

2019 | Moves Toward Equity: Perspectives from Arts Leaders of Color published by Arts Connect International, community findings report, co-authors Hanako Brais, Allegra Fletcher

2018 | Examining Cultural Equity in the Arts published by Arts Connect International, community findings report, co-author Hanako Brais

PRESENTATIONS

HIGHER ED GUEST LECTURES

• University of Michigan, Ethical Arts Leadership (2023)

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Values of Value (2023)

• Harvard Graduate School of Ed, Arts in Learning (2023)

• UMass Boston, Transdisciplinary Research (2022)

• Harvard Graduate School of Ed, Social Entrepreneurship (2017)

• Southern Adventist University, Equity in the Arts (2017)

• UMass Boston, Social Entrepreneurship (2017)

• Harvard Graduate School of Ed, Social Entrepreneurship (2016)

• UMass Boston, Arts & Human Rights (2016)

• Harvard Graduate School of Ed, Social Entrepreneurship (2015)

• William James College of Psychology, 7 Dresses 4 Health (2015)

• Stonehill College, Arts & Global Health (2014)

• Harvard Graduate School of Ed, Social Entrepreneurship (2014)

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

• Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) Conference, Workshop, Shaping Creative Justice Ecosystems: Collective Action Case Studies in Arts and Culture (2024)

• Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) Conference, Workshop, Equitable Pipelines in Arts Administration Leadership (2020)

• ArtistsThrive Summit, Workshop, Building Equitable Boards (2020)

• Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) Conference, Keynote Presentation, Cultural Equity Gap study (2018)

• Alliance on Arts in Research, Northeastern University, Presentation, Cultural Equity Gap (2017)

• Arts for Cultural Inclusion Symposium, UMass Boston, Panel, Art for Social Change (2016)

• Arts & Global Health Conference, Lesley University, Workshop, 7 Dresses 4 Health (2016)

• Harvard University Alumni of Color Conference, Harvard Graduate School of Ed, Workshop, Umunthu – LGBTQ rights in Malawi (2015)

• Building Inclusive Communities, UMass Boston, Keynote, Art for Social Change (2015)

• Humanities in Medicine Conference, Mayo Clinic, Panel, 7 Dresses 4 Health (2015)

• Humanities in Medicine Conference, Mayo Clinic, Workshop, Umunthu (2014)

• Cultivating Humanism Symposium, Harvard Medical School, Workshop, Art & Healing (2013)

• ARTZ & Dementia Conference, Newbridge on the Charles, Museums for Social Change (2012)

• Graduate Student Activism Conference, Harvard University, Workshop, Arts & Justice (2012)

PRACTICE-BASED PRESENTATIONS

• Associated Grant Makers, Panel, Art Service Organizations & Cultural Equity (2023)

• Massachusetts Cultural Council, Presentation, Cultural Equity Learning Community (2022)

• Americans for the Arts Equity Salon, Presentation, Systems Leadership Models (2022)

• Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, Presentation, Systems Leadership Models (2022)

• Massachusetts Cultural Council, Presentation, Decolonizing Arts and Culture (2021)

• Creative Justice Initiative, Panel, Unifying Equity Activations (2020)

• Revolutionary Spaces, Panel, Arts & Racial Healing (2020)

• Boston Cultural Council, Presentation, Cultural Equity Learning Community (2020)

• Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, Presentation, COVID Relief & Racial Equity (2020)

• Arts Equity Summit, Community Session, #CulturalSalvation (2020)

• Worcester Art Museum, Panel, Art & The Brain (2018)

• Humanities in Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Presentation, Cultural Equity Gap study (2017)

• Boston Arts Consortium for Health, Workshop, Arts & Public Health Leadership (2016)

• Berman Museum of Art, Workshop, Access-ability (2013)

AWARDS

• Model Equity Organization - Arts Connect International, Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture, City of Boston (2019)

• Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, UMass Boston (2019)

• Social Science Research Center - Transdisciplinary Dissertation Development Fellowship, UMass Boston (2017 – 2018)

• Global Health Corps Fellowship (2013 – 2014)

• Outstanding customer service and work ethic, Vail Resorts (2010)

• Distinction in studio art, Colorado College (2009)

FUNDING AWARDS

2014 - 2024 | 3.5M+ awarded in support of Arts Connect International from: Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, Barr Foundation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Boston Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, The Boston Cultural Council, Foley Hoag Foundation, Living Closer Foundation, MassHumanities, Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, Cambridge Community Foundation, Cambridge Arts Council, Shinnyo-en Foundation, UMass Boston, the Social Science Research Center.

2013 - 2014 | 38K+ awarded in support of ArtGlo from: the US Embassy and the Segal Family Foundation.

2012 - 2013 | 160K+ awarded in support of ARTZ: Artists for Alzheimer’s from: The Cummings Foundation and the Skal Club.

GRANT SELECTION PANELS

• Live Arts Boston selection panelist, The Boston Foundation (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)

• Kahn Award selection panelist, Boston University (2020, 2021)

• C19 Relief Ripple Grants selection, Arts Connect International (2020, 2021)

• Boston Artist in Residence selection panelist, Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (2019)

• International Artist in Residence selection, Arts Connect International (2014, 2015, 2016)

FORMAL MENTORSHIP

• Art & Global Health Center (ArtGlo) Africa, Advisory Board Member (2015 – present)

• MIT Arts Startup Incubator, Mentor (2023 – 2024)

• Brain Arts Organization, Advisory Board Member (2020 – 2021)

• Student Alumni Mentor, Harvard University (2014 – 2020)

• Global Health Corps, Mentor (2014 – 2019)

PEER REVIEW EDITOR

• Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society (2021 – 2024)

SUMMARY

Marian investigates artistic creation as a means for community building, healing, regeneration, and joy. Trained in color theory, photography, paper making, drawing, and sculpture, Marian’s work is multi-modal and interdisciplinary. They also embody writing as an essential artistic practice. Marian centers her artistic work within community, centering process over product, and healing over economy.

SHOWS

2023 | CHRONIC, collaborating artists: Allegra Fletcher, Ellice Patterson & Andrew Choe, Cultural Equity Incubator, Boston, MA

2013 | Our Malawi, Our Vision, collaborating artist: Mwizalero Nyirenda, Art & Global Health Center Africa, Zomba, Malawi

2012 | Coming Home, collaborating artist: Ernest Bud Brown, Genesee Center for Arts and Education, Rochester, NY

2012 | Fabrics of Meaning, Open Door Gallery, Boston, MA

2012 | Family Tree, Harvard Graduate School of Ed, Cambridge, MA

2009 | Recycled Intuition, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO

2008 | One Left-Handed Footprint, Colorado College, CO Springs, CO

2008 | Prints, group show, Valland School for the Arts, Gothenburg, Sweden

CURATION

2021 | Somewhere… Away, featured artist: Alyssa Liles-Amponsah, Cultural Equity Incubator, Boston, MA

2020 | Language and Literacy, featured artist: Maung Nyeu, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA

2015 | Shades of Inclusion, collaborative show, featured artists: Basil Kincaid, Alia Ali, Andre Mestre, Miho Tsujii, Stephen Hamilton, Bes Young, Alva Mooses, Open Door Gallery, Boston, MA

2015 | Love Art, featuring Basil Kincaid, Los Angeles, CA

PERFORMANCE

2020 | Breaking Open, arts and healing community activation

2015 | 7 Dresses 4 Health, year-long arts and health advocacy campaign

RESIDENCIES

2010 | Colorado Center for Handmade Paper, Colorado Springs, CO

2010 | Genesee Center for Arts and Education, Rochester, NY