A COMMUNITY Q&A WITH NATALIE FRAZIER-ALLEN OMEN WHO MPOWER PERSPECTIVES

Natalie Frazier-Allen is an attorney and CEO of The Arts Empowerment Project.

As CEO of The Arts Empowerment Project, Natalie Frazier-Allen is a tastemaker for inspiring empowerment initiatives in visual and performing arts. Her team acts as catalysts for generating a positive impact by helping underserved youth thrive through exposure to creativity and artistic fundamentals. Opera Carolina asked Allen to share her story about how art allowed her to become the person she is today and her advice for women building their creative careers.

Q: First, can you tell us more about The Arts Empowerment Project and your reasons for starting the program? How did your earlier experiences with art influence your path today?

A: I grew up in New York City in the 80s. My parents provided a safe, stable home and always shared the importance of faith, empathy, integrity, and giving back. From a young age, I played piano and loved to draw and paint. My father worked in advertising, and my mother taught choral music in the city’s public schools. I dreamed of attending art school and got accepted to two Manhattan specialized arts high schools. But with NYC’s crime rates then, my parents ultimately decided I should attend a magnet school closer to home. My attention then shifted to joining my high school’s law team and becoming an attorney.

Early in my career, I worked in Washington D.C.’s attorney general’s office and served as chief of the Domestic Violence Unit. I began volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem for Mecklenburg County, investigating and promoting the best interest of abused, neglected, and dependent children in the county’s foster care system.

After several years as a Guardian ad Litem, I began exploring the idea of using the arts to mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences. National studies have shown that at-risk children exposed to the arts have more positive life outcomes, including getting better grades, being more likely to attend college, and showing more civic-minded behaviors such as voting and volunteering. And yet, many young people who experience social, racial, health, and economic disparities never have the opportunity to participate in high-quality arts programming. I wanted to help bridge the gap for this community of children and empower them through the arts, so I founded The Arts Empowerment Project.

Q: What pathways would you recommend for adolescents interested in becoming visual/performing artists?

A: Adolescents should become engaged in their community, accessing new opportunities and gaining experiences that expose them to various artistic outlets. A broad understanding of different art disciplines will give them a wider lens to view the world of art and make their chosen discipline richer.

Q: La traviata translates to The Fallen Woman. How do you believe art paints the stories of women?

A: That is a question that would take a long time to answer and is an extensive topic, but suffice it to say that art has often portrayed women from an archaic perspective, which includes female tropes and the subjugation, over-equalization, and marginalization of women.

The concept of the fallen women dates back to biblical times, but fortunately, positive and empowered female-centered art is ever-evolving. Women are creators, innovators, sources of inspiration, and leaders sharing critical, beautiful work.

Q: Have you experienced a piece of art or music representing your story?

A: Music and art representing different parts of my life story inspire me. It’s tough to pick just one. Still, a favorite right now is a piece of art I recently acquired — Three Women of America by Elizabeth Catlett, which focuses on feminine strength, race, and unity. It makes me smile every day.

Q: Do you believe there are gender biases in the art world? What advice would you give to women looking to overcome gender bias in their artistic careers?

A: Gender bias has been a reality in art and will happen forever. If you look at visitation compared to male representation in museums worldwide, women are underrepresented.

However, I’m grateful that Charlotte has such amazing female creatives and art leaders validating and sharing the tremendous talent and visions in Queen City.

Women remain courageous, resilient, and resourceful. Seeking out role models, mentors, and like-mindedness is invaluable.

To learn more about The Arts Empowerment project, visit theartsempowermentproject.org.