Symposium Keynote: Shyla Spicer
KST Presents
Friday, May 16, 2025
6:00pm – 6:45pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You:
Single Tickets: $15 – $30
Symposium Pass: $150 – $300
In July 2020, the Native Arts + Cultures Foundation (NACF) and Yale Union (YU) proudly announced the transfer of ownership of the land and historic Yale Union building in Southeast Portland, Oregon, from YU to NACF. Shyla Spicer, President and CEO of NACF, reflects on the organization’s transition through this major expansion of assets and the significance of reclaiming space for Indigenous artists. She explores the role of creative land stewardship in Indigenous self-determination and how securing space for cultural expression strengthens Native communities for generations to come.
This event is part of Owning Our Future: A Symposium on BIPOC Institutional Ownership.
Can’t join in person? The Livestream Pass includes access to ALL Keynote Speakers and Panel Discussions streamed live on Youtube. Join us live and participate in discussions or watch at your own pace. Livestream links will be provided in your ticket confirmation email after purchase. For questions, please email info@kelly-strayhorn.org.
Photo credit: Antonio Becerra
AND DON’T MISS…
Symposium Keynote: Lisa Yancey
Thursday, May 15, 2025
11:00am – 1:30pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $30
Symposium Keynote: F. Javier Torres-Campos
Saturday, May 17, 2025
10:00am – 10:45am
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $30
Symposium Keynote: Andy Shall
Sunday, May 18, 2025
1:00pm – 1:45pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $30
- ABOUT THE KEYNOTE
- About Owning Our Future Symposium
Shyla Spicer (Yakama/Seneca Cayuga) joined the Native Arts + Cultures Foundation (NACF) as President and CEO in 2023. With over 15 years of experience, Shyla is passionate about building strong organizations and fostering high-performing teams. Her journey includes a diverse background in business solutions and organizational design, where she notably served as the Executive Director of the Suquamish Tribe. During her time there, she led transformative community projects and helped reorganize government structures to better serve the community.
KST is leading a groundbreaking national symposium that aims to reshape the future of accessible, equitable cultural spaces owned and anchored by BIPOC communities.
Guided by our vision “Owning Our Future. Thriving Where We Live.,” this three-day gathering in May 2025 serves as a platform to catalyze a critical national dialogue and chart a path forward.
Collaborating with an advisory committee of national and local colleagues, KST curates a cross-industry program that features discussions, performances, and celebrations with leaders in art, activism, urban planning, philanthropy, and government. Together we imagine new financial, operational, and physical structures for BIPOC-owned arts spaces, addressing the structural inequities that the pandemic laid bare.
The symposium spotlights organizations employing new strategies to safeguard culture in their communities. It engages forward-thinking stakeholders invested in emergent models. Look forward to thought-provoking panel sessions, inspiring keynote addresses, and dynamic performances by Pittsburgh and national artists.