With much love and gratitude, I thank you and those who have supported my tenure at Leonardo. Today I am stepping aside as Chief Creative Officer of the International Society for the Arts, Sciences, and Technology.

My Leonardo journey started out in graduate school in the CADRE Laboratory for New Media, where I began to understand the meaning of hybridity through a geocaching experience I led with artist Natalie Jereminjinko on the San Jose Guadalupe River Trail. Jereminjinko’s social practice project xClinic provided an opportunity for those impatient with unjust systems to become “In-Patient,”and pose a research question that would then be explored through art, science, engineering, and humor.  The concept of Intervention Art and art as a means to disrupt social systems provided me with the confidence and belief that change can happen through the lens of an Artist and through using formal material to shape a narrative derived from data and scientific knowledge. 

This was preceded by contextual readings from the Leonardo Book Series, Leonardo journal, and Leonardo's publications. A new set of dialogue and aesthetic language opened a window into understanding the world around me and how art can propose an inquiry into the complex and impossible.

Over time, I found myself in the Leosphere more and more, co-producing a symposium on environment and art at the City of San Jose with ZERO1, presenting as an artist at LASER Talks at the L.A.S.T. Festival, and helping design the Leonardo Institutional (formerly  Affiliate) Member program to build community leadership.  This led to me taking on my evolving role at Leonardo.

The past six years have been a time of growth for me and the organization.  Leonardo is designed with the community at its core, fueled with the curiosity and fearlessness that we need today. We (The Leosphere) are not afraid of the complex and the uncomfortable. We need to remove barriers and systems steeped in injustice, racism, and greed. And replace them with pipelines built with equity, justice, and restoration. We are just beginning this work starting with institutional change, fully supporting access programs like Leonardo CripTech Incubator, and centering black and Indigenous voices. 

I leave knowing this work will continue as it is embedded in the ethos of what we do. Leonardo is not just a journal; it is a method to support radical creativity. Leonardo is an ecosystem that centers on impact orbited by research, creative experiences, communities/networks, convenings/symposia, decentralized education, residencies/fellowships, and media/documentation

I’m sharing an abundance of gratitude to all who have made this possible. I have many of you to thank, but I want to highlight the incredible Leonardo staff, both past, and present, who have lifted me up daily; thank you to the volunteers and interns who have given their time, passion, and expertise; thank you to the countless hours Leonardo reviewers, artists, authors and editorial board members have contributed to the organization; thank you to the LASER Chairs have created an incredible support network; thank you to the institutional leaders and partners who have always believed in Leonardo and for your collaboration, and thank you to the Governing Board who have supported me every step of the way.

None of this would be possible without the mentorship and leadership of our CEO Diana Ayton-Shenker and our Board Chair, Marc Hebert, who encourage me every day to be fearless. The new path led by our CEO is one that moves us beyond the imaginable and into achieving the impossible. Reshaping fields with creativity, Leonardo will empower a new tomorrow. I am leaving Leonardo in an exceptional position to fulfill a mission that will empower an inclusive global network. In this borderless community, all belong in pursuit of a more vibrant, just, and regenerative world.

What is next for me? I am joining the City of San José Office of Cultural Affairs and Economic Development as a Senior Arts Manager (yes, I will commute from Oakland ;). Like many hybrids, I plan to continue my research and artistic practice.  

This is not the end for me and Leonardo, I will continue as the inaugural member of a newly formed Creative Advisory Council. Stay tuned on that front.  

And for you and me? Let’s keep in touch and make this world better for all.

Danielle Image for Exit Blog