A VISIONARY LEADER CHAMPIONING BELONGING AND EMPOWERMENT

After a nationwide search, the Arts Leadership Program at the University of Houston proudly announces the appointment of Amanda Cachia, Ph.D., as the new Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of the program. In this role, Cachia will wield her expertise to oversee the graduate Certificate in Museum and Gallery Management, as well as the graduate Certificate in Arts and Health. Coming to the University of Houston from California State University, Cachia has an established career profile as a curator, writer, and art historian specializing in disability art activism across intersectional axes of difference, including gender, race, and sexuality. 

"As a person who identifies as disabled, particularly someone of short stature, my affinity for the arts has been a lifelong thread woven into my identity. At eighteen, I volunteered at my hometown gallery in Australia, nurturing my connection with creativity. My professional path evolved to encompass arts administration, curation, and art history. Yet, amidst this journey, an observation emerged – the glaring absence of space for disabled representation within the art world. After realizing this significant gap that needed to be addressed, I ventured to New York City and eventually Canada, serving as a gallery director. Around the age of thirty, I went back to pursue a second master’s degree that allowed me to focus on disability arts. Through the guidance of my professors, I pursued a doctorate degree which allowed me to dive even deeper into disability arts and activism, unraveling the intricate layers of representing disability within museum contexts," said Cachia. 

Anticipation surrounds Cachia's role as Assistant Professor and Assistant Director. Her passion and fresh insights promise to invigorate the program.  

"I'm really excited! Fleurette S. Fernando, the director, has done an incredible job raising the program's profile in the last 10 years," Cachia shares. Eager to collaborate with Fernando, Cachia envisions her contributions matching Fernando’s energy and achievements. "Dr. Amanda Cachia is a leader, an innovator and an advocate for all those who are underserved in our arts and culture spaces. As a curator and an art historian with a wealth of international experience, Dr. Cachia brings vast knowledge and inspiration to our program, our university, and the city of Houston. I am thrilled to have her as a colleague and know she will have a deep impact on students across all disciplines in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts," says Fleurette S. Fernando. 

A facet of the program Cachia is excited about is the certificate in arts and health. Her approach comes at a pivotal time. "I hope to train future leaders to think about all these fields and backgrounds. With the pandemic, we're thinking about how the arts contribute to health and well-being."  

Cachia will seamlessly fuse her practical expertise with her educational insights, embodying a distinctive approach. "I've developed a dedicated module that spans a week, immersing students in my journey as a disabled historian and curator. This immersive experience aims to shed light on the intricate considerations for disabled audiences as they evolve into future arts leaders and curators. I often furnish them with my own written works, along with insights into my tangible curatorial projects. This encompasses discussing the financial intricacies of a show I orchestrated and sharing intimate conversations with artists. My goal is to paint a vivid picture of real-world encounters." 

A concrete manifestation of this teaching methodology transpired at California State University during the past fall. "My students played an active role in a show I curated on campus. Engaging alongside me, they crafted labels, interacted with artists via emails and Zoom, and crafted audio and image descriptions tailored to our visually impaired audiences. This hands-on engagement offered them invaluable insights into the craft of designing floor plans, selecting content for public consumption, and, significantly, immersing themselves in disability culture." 

In her curatorial methodology, Cachia emphasizes the essence of empowering representations. "I've explored various themes, from the deaf and blind experience to the capacities and limitations of the disabled body as it navigates space," she explains. Her exhibitions resonate with innovative concepts that challenge biases and open dialogues. Cachia’s upcoming show, "Resistance and Respiration," at Contemporary Calgary in Canada delves into the intricate relationship between the disabled body and breathing, unraveling biases and offering novel perspectives. This foresight into the dynamic interplay between disability and the human experience is emblematic of Cachia's transformative curatorial acumen.  

Cachia not only champions belonging and accessibility within gallery walls but also extends her influence to the realm of literature. Her book "Curating Access: Disability Art Activism and Creative Accommodation," a collaboration with over 40 international contributors, stands as a testament to her dedication to promoting change on a global scale. 

Reflecting on this collaborative endeavor, Cachia emphasizes the significance of the diverse perspectives that converged for this project. "It was truly an honor to collaborate with individuals from various corners of the world," she said. The book's inception and subsequent reception reinforced Cachia’s conviction that a growing movement exists within the art sphere. This movement is comprised of museum workers, curators, arts administrators, artists, and art historians, along with individuals spanning the expansive spectrum of arts disciplines. 

"What became evident," Cachia notes, "is that there's a shared vision of access as a creative proposition, transcending mere compliance checkboxes." The book serves as a tapestry woven with insights and experiences, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of integrating accessibility into artistic undertakings. "Access can be seamlessly woven into an artist's work, an administrator's approach, and a curator's perspective. This integration can fuel stimulating, challenging, and intriguing endeavors, often bringing an element of fun to the process." 

The book, she adds, assumes the role of a guiding template, offering readers a diverse array of case studies from across the globe. "From a show in South Korea to myriad other experiences, we're collectively engaged in a process of learning from one another. The goal is improvisation in making our museums more accessible for disabled audiences." 

Her book not only underscores her stature as a thought leader in the accessibility movement but also reflects her commitment to nurturing a community that passionately advocates for inclusivity in the arts. 

Cachia’s years of experience have been fueled by a fervent need to address the gap in the industry, a mission she embarked on right from the outset. Reflecting on her early days, Cachia recollects the challenges of unifying disabled artists under a single banner, to establish a discourse centered around the disabled body and its empowered representations. This endeavor was met with stigmas, fears, and biases, as the art world grappled with accepting disability culture. However, over the years, her efforts have cultivated a noticeable shift towards acceptance and pride among younger generations of disabled artists. 

"It's rewarding to see that younger generations are more comfortable with accepting who they are and their identity, wanting to share that with their communities and audiences," she reflects. With her scholarship and curatorial projects working in tandem, Cachia has channeled her determination into fostering a home for disability arts here at the University of Houston.