About Us
MISSION
Global Alliance of Artists, Inc or “GAA” is committed to solving social and environmental challenges on a local, national and international level by leveraging artists and creativity inherent in communities. Artists are too often marginalized in mainstream society when in fact, their visionary outlook should be applied.
VISION
Throughout history and around the world, artists have had a key role in impacting society whether through changes in corrupt governments to improved workers’ rights to better living conditions for the poor. The Velvet Revolution of 1989 that took place in the former Czechoslovakia and was initiated by a group of artists including the playwright Vaclav Havel is one example.
Our world is suffering. War has broken out in many countries. AIDS is ravaging many countries. Women continue to be denied their basic rights. Minorities in communities throughout the world are threatened. Global warming and other environmental threats are continuing. Cultural standards in countries such as the United States are eroding. We believe one of the underdeveloped resources that can help correct some of these challenges is creativity—both that of the individual and society collectively.
ACTION
The heart of Global Alliance of Artists is developing an international network of literary, visual and performance artists who have declared a social cause and demonstrated action towards that social cause. Artists like Carla Goldberg, who is committed to human rights and worked on projects where proceeds went to an organization working on her issue—Amnesty International. Or artists like Judith Joseph, whose primary medium is in a folk-art medium. Judith has participated in exhibitions of Muslim and Jewish artists and is interested in exploring their cultural common ground and promoting mutual understanding and respect. She believes that art is a powerful force that helps us find, express and share the best of our humanity.
In addition to developing an international artist collective, Global Alliance of Artists also achieves its mission in the following ways:
1. Developing GAA special programs along the strategic areas of focus—currently the environment and human rights, via programming such as the Chicago Arts + Environment Xchange and the Arab Women and Financial Literacy project.
2. Developing partnerships with individuals, nonprofits and socially responsible corporations to execute programming, reach out to artists and generate support.
3. Facilitating exhibits, conferences, and workshops to increase awareness and collaboration
4. Positioning artists as potential social issue problem solvers due to their innovative nature
HISTORY OF GLOBAL ALLIANCE OF ARTISTS
Global Alliance of Artists was founded by writer, Dina Rabadi, in 2006 who felt that creativity could be used not just to create literature and physical art, but could be applied to creatively solving social problems. Inspired by the role of artists in her mother’s country (the Czech Republic) and concerned about the turmoil going on in her birth region (the Middle East) as well as other countries in the world, Dina Rabadi approached Hanadi Abukhdeir, Imrana Khera and Andrea Harris who shared similar concerns about starting the Global Alliance of Artists. A few weeks later, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago agreed to partner with GAA on their first event taking place during the Federal Reserve 2007 Money Smart Week. GAA was formed September 6, 2006 at the Fine Arts Building Gallery in Chicago, IL and later granted 501 (c) (3) status in the summer of 2007.
FINANCIAL
For a copy of our tax determination letter and/or more information about our financials, please contact DinaRabadi@globalallianceartists.org.
STAFF, BOARD, and ADVISORY BOARD
Global Alliance of Artists is currently an all-volunteer organization. The individuals below have donated and are donating many hours of their time to further GAA’s mission and develop a healthy, ethical and powerful organization (we’re also fun!)
STAFF
Dina Rabadi, Founder and Executive Director
Nicki Harada, Director of Marketing
Catherine Game, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
Valerie Cleaver, Program Manager, Human Rights Initiatives
Board of Directors
Hanadi Abukhdeir, Chairperson
Martin Kamenski, Treasurer
Dina Rabadi, President and Secretary
Advisory Board
Imrana Khera —project manager, previously Program Officer for Asian American Programs at the Asia Society. Founding board member, Global Alliance of Artists.
Cathy Lebowitz — editor at Art in America magazine and visual artist.
Joseph Zak— photographer and Test Centre Technical Manager, VUKV a.s. (Prague, CZ)
Rob Spillman — writer and editor of Tin House (http://www.tinhouse.com)
Ann Mladnov— independent management consultant for non-profit and arts organizations.
Contributors and Thank Yous
Special thanks to:
Steve Nelson, Photographer, Major Donor
Makoto Kern, President, IIIMPACT, for building GAA’s new site
Marci Rolnik and William Ratner, Lawyers for the Creative Arts
Menna Eltaki, Jennifer Mikulina, Neal White, Attorneys, McDermott Will & Emery
Alejo Torres, Senior Program Manager, Money Smart Week
Lincoln Ellis, Managing Director, Linn Group’s Asset Management
Nora Shaykhutdinov, MBA student, Notre Dame
Carol Merriweather — research and development, volunteer
Mahima Joishy — attorney
Todd Ziaja — logo design
Laura McGlone — photographer, (http://www.LauraMcGlone.com) educator and consultant
Mark Mirsky — author and editor of Fiction
David Novak, Michael F. Burke, Ghada Shalabi, Rema Fakhouri, David Novak and Anam El-Jabali — work on behalf of Arab Women and Financial Literacy
David David Katzman for championing our cause and helping with communication needs.
Tara Bracco — writer and founder, Poetic People Power (http://www.poeticpeoplepower.com)
Jeff Leigh — CPA and CFO of Meals on Wheels
David C. Baker, Chase
Kristin Scott, Hiam Shalabi, Jack and Laura Doyle
Staff
Dina Rabadi, Founder and Executive Director
http://www.DinaRabadi.com
Born in Jordan in 1974 to a Jordanian father and a Czech mother; Rabadi and her family immigrated to the United States in 1978. A graduate of Smith College, Rabadi has been published in over 20 periodicals including The Boston Globe, Fiction, The Chicago Tribune and The Los Angeles Times. She was made a Fellow in the Arts by the Woodhull Institute of Ethical Leadership and received a Vogelstein Foundation writing grant for travel to Jordan to conduct field research for her next novel. She was a writer-in-residence at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology on the Oregon Coast supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. She works at Chicago Public Schools and is writing her first novel.
Nicki Harada, Director of Marketing
Nicki Harada is the Director of Marketing for Global Alliance of Artists. Nicki comes to GAA as a marketing professional with over ten years of experience in product marketing and market research. A Japanese bilingual and previous dancer, Nicki loves arts and cultures and possesses a master’s degree in communications with emphasis on Cross-Cultural Communication and International Marketing. Nicki has worked in technology industries holding various strategic and analytical roles in the global setting. She is currently based in Chicago.
Catherine Game, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
While alternating between painting landscape murals and coordinating environmental programs for local elementary schools, Catherine realized that art could play a crucial role in communicating about environmental issues. She has combined these interests through her education with a B.A. in art and biology and a Masters of Science focused on environmental social sciences and the arts. Catherine enjoys exploring how art can be used as a tool to develop creative experiences for people to learn about environmental issues. She joined GAA with this interest and is currently Program Manager of the Environment Initiatives.
Valerie Cleaver, Program Manager, Human Rights Initiatives
Valerie Cleaver brings a varied background to the Global Alliance of Artists including a BA in Philosophy and Psychology, professional experience in production management and product development, and a second life as an photographer, painter, and musician. She is currently pursuing her MA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology with an emphasis on training and development, and understanding and appreciating diversity. Valerie seeks to bring both enthusiasm and expertise to initiatives geared towards artists helping to make positive steps for human rights both locally and globally.
Weichin Cheng, Design and Communications Intern
After graduating from National Chiao Tung University with a Communication major in Taiwan, Weichin Cheng is pursuing a master degree of Arts Management at Columbia College Chicago and is also a graphic designer. Art and travel occupy the biggest part of her life. To broaden the reach of her work, she published her first book in 2007 about her journey in the US. Drawing from the effect of her loving and energetic family, she always wants to do something for the world and society. With her background, passion and experiences, Weichin is bringing creative ideas and international perspectives in GAA.
Akiho Sugitatsu, Marketing and Communications Intern
Akiho was born and raised in the city of Kobe, Japan which is known for its good wine and beef. She is fascinated by all the different kinds of flavorful culture in the world and has lived in four different countries including USA, Australia, and Sweden. She recently graduated from Columbia College in Chicago majoring in Marketing Communication and now attempts to gain her experience in order to grow as a global marketer.
Board of Directors
Hanadi Abukhdeir
Director and Chairman of the Board
Hanadi Abukhdeir, an Arab-American, was born to Palestinian parents who immigrated to United States in the 1960s. She grew up in Chicago, and attended college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne where she received a B.S. in Biology. She went on to receive a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. She is currently a Project Manager at the University of Chicago Hospitals working on various strategic planning projects. She is an active member of the Arab community volunteering with the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council on Arab Affairs.
Martin Kamenski
Director and Treasurer
http://www.rockstarcpa.com
Born in Poland’s capital city Warsaw, Kamenski relocated to the US at a very young age. He received undergraduate degrees in Theater Arts and Accounting from Marquette University, and continued to receive a Master’s in Accounting from Marquette the following year. After working in the public accounting sector, he started his own accounting practice, which moved to Chicago in 2006. Since then, Rockstar CPA has grown to become Chicago’s premier firm serving individuals and businesses in the creative and entertainment industries. Kamenski also serves as Managing Director for Collaboraction Theater Company, and on the board of Matter Dance Company.
Dina Rabadi
Director, President and Secretary
See above