Jordia Benjamin. Photo by Coco McCracken.

Jordia Benjamin was recently appointed new executive director of Indigo Arts Alliance. 

Benjamin is a respected community engagement specialist, educator

and cultural leader. With over a decade in the arts sector working nationally and internationally predominantly in museum education along with teaching college-level coursework, she embodies a commitment to equity, inclusion, empowerment and advocacy for spaces of color. 

Benjamin serves on the Museum Education Roundtable Board and MassAction Anti-Racism think tank committee. A Certified Museum Professional from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance; an alumni of the Cause Effective Next Generation fellowship; and alumni of the inaugural cohort of the 2022-2023 national leaders of color network representing Maine and the New England region.

Over the past two years, Benjamin has brought passion, experience and intellect to her role as IAA deputy director. In her new role, she will provide strategic direction for the development and implementation of IAA’s statewide, national and global work and will be staff lead for advancing Indigo’s mission. 

In partnership with IAA leadership, she will work to support the strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising and administrative functions of Indigo Arts Alliance.

“Indigo Arts Alliance’s work is truly transformative for the individual and the public at large,” Benjamin says. “The ripple effect of this work has impacted our local and global community significantly. I’m honored to carry this torch of truth, light and freedom. Octavia Butler’s quote ‘All that you touch you change; all that you change, changes you’ perfectly describes Indigo Arts Alliance from the inside out and lives ‘rent free’ in my spirit.”

Benjamin began her new position on July 12, succeeding founding executive director Marcia Minter, under whose leadership the organization developed. Minter oversaw the operations and creative direction of the organization, established a national headquarters in Portland, Maine and started the professionally archived work of Indigo Arts Alliance. Minter will continue to work for the organization as Chief Officer of Strategic Growth and Innovation. In this new role she will be responsible for identifying pathways to ensure the continued sustainability of the organization. This effort will require increased focus on Development and Philanthropy as well as cultivating global relationships within the art and culture sector that will build IAA’s reach and reputation.

Indigo Arts Alliance is the first international Black led, Black- and brown-centered arts organization based in the state of Maine. From its genesis, the founders have carried a vision that Indigo Arts Alliance would be a legacy organization. One that continues to uphold equity for artists of color for years to come. As such, it is of the utmost importance that the succession of leadership is represented by a vibrant, innovative and talented pioneer such as Benjamin.

Learn more at indigoartsalliance.me.