Remembering Marcelo Avilès
Dear WAA Community,
Many of you know Marcelo Avilés. You may have sat on a committee with him, scouted new artists at WAA or APAP with him, or simply felt the warmth of his presence in a room. For those who did not have that chance, we hope this note begins to introduce you to someone whose spirit is now permanently woven into our community.
Marcelo was the program director at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival and a leader in our field. He was a mentor to artists across the Bay Area, a champion of emerging voices, and a dedicated member of WAA. His passion for the arts was matched only by his genuine love for the people who make this work possible.
One of the last things Marcelo said before he passed:
“I love the work, I love the people, I love my life.”
We intend to honor that.
Introducing the Marcelo Avilés Scholarship Fund
We are proud to launch a new scholarship in Marcelo’s memory. With the blessing of his mother Linda Lucero and the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, The Marcelo Avilés Scholarship Fund will support talented and dedicated young arts professionals to attend the WAA Annual Conference and make an impact on our community.
How to Give
The Oakland Host Committee is leading this effort, of which Marcelo was a member. It’s a fitting tribute as we prepare to gather in Marcelo’s home region this September. Join our colleagues by giving at the following levels:
$1,000+ — Charter Member: Your support sends a talented young professional to WAA. This special designation recognizes your founding support in all scholarship materials for the next three years, at which point you can renew your Charter Membership.
$500+ — Mentor: Funds travel expenses for an out-of-state young professional to attend the WAA Annual Conference.
$250+ — Connector: Funds one night stay at the Marriott City Center for an out-of-state young professional to attend the WAA Annual Conference.
Up to $150 — Supporter: Contributes toward a scholarship and joins our community of supporters.
Sponsor the Scholarship Fund
This year, we’re offering you the chance to direct your conference sponsorship to the Marcelo Avilés Scholarship Fund. When you become a Scholarship Fund Silver Sponsor ($2,500), you bring an out-of-state colleague as well receive all sponsor benefits which include your conference registration.
By becoming a Scholarship Fund Gold Sponsor, you support two full scholarships and receive two (2) conference registrations.
We’re thrilled to announce our first Charter Members:
UCSB Arts & Lectures
Linda Lucero, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Bill Bragin, globalFEST / The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
Marcelo's mother, Lulu, shared these words that capture his spirit perfectly:
"People are asking how they can help or what they can do. Marcelo would say, 'buy a record, go to a concert, buy a book, dance."
You can now add to this: send a young colleague to WAA.
You can earn more about Marcelo’s legacy and the parallel fundraising campaign at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Marcelo would tell you to go to a concert this weekend. We’d add: consider sending someone else to theirs.
With love and in community,
Joshua Heim, Executive Director