SPA Artist Testimonials

"My coach gave me a beautiful balance of solutions, strategy, empathy and encouragement that made me feel inspired to take action on her suggestions and recommendations.  And these strategies are ones that I know will be able to return to throughout my career.”

- Kendra J. Bostock, 2023 Jerome Fellow

“[My SPA coach] totally understood what I was saying, was empathetic and also clear-minded and direct on practical steps I could take to stay organized and keep the work of running the company and creating the work itself feel more manageable in my life, ultimately allowing me to make strong and new work that was constantly evolving as I moved forward.”

- Tina Satter, 2013 & 2014 MAP grantee

“When striving to create groundbreaking art, there are times when no one understands. In those moments, the SPA coach was the first to truly recognize my vision.”

- Migiwa “Miggy” Miyajima, 2019 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow

“I went into SPA feeling like I don't know if I can continue as an artist, I don’t know how I’m going to survive as an artist. And I left with concrete tools that helped me get work.”

- Kate Marks, 2019 Jerome Fellow

“Art demands more than creativity—it requires courage to hold onto your humanity when institutions and oppressive systems attempt to erode your spirit. My coach was a lifeline during one of those moments when systemic pressures threatened to silence my voice, helping me transform my grief and anger into powerful, uncompromising care that led to a bold collective vision."

- Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, 2023 Jerome Fellow

"I felt like my coach consistently met me where I was and helped me recognize certain frameworks and blind spots that I had not considered."

- jaamil olawale kosoko, 2022 MAP grantee

"I have a short-list of notes from my coaching sessions and Gathering that I refer to regularly, things I want to keep in mind as I continue with my practice. The biggest thing I learned from SPA was that rest is an essential part of creative practice, not something separate from it. That alone has been life-changing. There are no other programs like MAP and SPA out there."

- Stephanie Chou, 2022 MAP grantee

“The Gathering exceeded my expectations. The kind of openness and vulnerability it facilitated allowed all of us to show up fully and offer support to one another over the course of those two days. It was incredibly helpful to hear what other artists are bringing into the space—questions, dynamics, and challenges—and made me realize how rare this kind of exchange truly is.”

- Tali Keren, 2023 Jerome Fellow