We recently caught up with Randall Nielsen, an alumnus of the 2023 Creative Community Fellows: New England program and a recent recipient of the 2024 Barr Foundation’s Seed Grant Fund. Randall is the co-founder of Queerlective, a New Hampshire-based organization dedicated to empowering and promoting inclusive environments for queer, BIPOC, and underserved communities through art. Randall discusses Queerlective’s journey, recent milestones, and how the Barr Foundation’s Seed Grant can further advance the organization’s mission.
Firstly, we’d love for the NAS community to get to know you and Queerlective better. Could you share with us how Queerlective got started, what drives its mission, and who specifically benefits from your efforts?
Queerlective began in the summer of 2022 when three queer creatives identified a community need for consistent and engaging gatherings in New Hampshire focused on celebrating and uplifting queer, BIPOC and other marginalized communities. Our founders recognized the power of art to unite and invigorate communities, laying the foundation for Queerlective’s mission. Initially focused on organizing inclusive events for these communities, our vision quickly evolved to include broader systemic changes aimed at fostering empathy, promoting social change principles, and nurturing leadership skills among community members.
Today, Queerlective continues to grow and adapt, working closely with community partners to address evolving needs. By empowering artists and community members with the tools for solidarity and leadership, we aim to drive sustainable and impactful change across the state. Our efforts are rooted in inclusivity and collaboration, ensuring that everyone benefits from the transformative power of creative expression and community engagement. Through ongoing partnerships and responsive programming, Queerlective remains committed to creating spaces where marginalized voices are amplified, celebrated, and empowered to enact positive change within their own communities and beyond.
Since your Fellowship concluded, are there any exciting new Queerlective projects or milestones you’d like to share? We’re eager to hear about what you’ve been up to lately.
Since the conclusion of our Fellowship, Queerlective has achieved several exciting milestones that have propelled our organization forward. We’re thrilled to share that we have expanded our team of decision-makers, growing from 3 individuals to 6 dedicated leaders. Additionally, we successfully obtained our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, a significant accomplishment that enhances our ability to serve our community effectively.
One of our most notable achievements has been the substantial increase in our budget, which has enabled us to expand our programs and reach more individuals within New Hampshire. This summer, we are focused on a dynamic campaign aimed at fostering connections and partnerships with diverse communities and organizations across the state through the power of art.
The Fellowship played a crucial role in shaping our strategy for board development, ensuring that our board members authentically represent and advocate for our community. It also provided clarity to Queerlective’s mission as we continue to grow and deepen our impact across New Hampshire.
Congratulations on receiving the Barr Foundation’s Seed Grant Fund! How do you envision using these funds to advance Queerlective’s mission? We’d love to hear your plans and how this support will take your work to the next level.
We are incredibly grateful for the Barr Foundation’s Seed Grant Fund, which will play a pivotal role in advancing Queerlective’s mission. With these funds, we intend to engage a consultant to help us develop our strategic plan and community impact report. These essential tools will not only guide our internal operations but also serve as documentation of our impactful work within the community.
Our strategic plan will provide a clear roadmap for future growth and program development, ensuring that we can effectively meet the evolving needs of our community. Meanwhile, the community impact report will help us measure and communicate the outcomes of our initiatives, demonstrating the profound importance of our work to stakeholders, funders, and the broader public.
By documenting our progress and impact, these tools will enable Queerlective to enhance our organizational capacity and expand our reach. They will also serve as powerful advocacy tools, showcasing the transformative role of arts and community engagement in promoting inclusivity, empowerment, and social change.
Once again, we extend our sincere gratitude to the Barr Foundation and National Arts Strategies for their support, which will propel Queerlective to new heights of effectiveness and impact in serving our community.
How can the NAS community support Queerlective’s mission?
The NAS community can support Queerlective’s mission by helping us foster regional connections and collaborations that amplify our impact in New Hampshire and beyond. We believe in the strength of collective efforts to support queer, BIPOC, and marginalized communities, and regional partnerships play a crucial role in this endeavor. If you’re interested in our work or engaged in similar initiatives within the New England region, we welcome the opportunity to connect and collaborate.
Building regional capacity involves sharing information, tools, and resources that can empower organizations like Queerlective to better serve our communities. Whether through joint projects, knowledge sharing, or advocacy efforts, supporting regional networks allows us to leverage collective strengths and address common challenges more effectively. Together, we can create lasting change and foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
