Melinda served as Executive Director of New York Artists Equity Association, Inc. ("Artists Equity") from September 2015 through July 2017. She founded Equity Gallery in October 2015 and served as Director through July 2017, curating and/or producing 20 exhibitions featuring over 80 artists.

Artists Equity is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1947 by artists and art patrons with the mission to promote opportunities for artists.  

Equity Gallery opened in October 2015 and is designed to be a new type of gallery that meets a broad range of artists’ needs. It simultaneously serves as a gallery for artists to exhibit and sell their work; a hub for professional workshops and innovative programming exploring critical issues of interest to artists and curators; and a gathering place for artists, curators and patrons. Amid the increased focus on commercialization in the art world, Artists Equity aims to provide a space focused on the artistic process, where entrepreneurial spirit and the artist as creative provocateur are celebrated.

For more information, please visit www.nyartistsequity.org.

A list of Equity Gallery exhibitions and press mentions can be found HERE.

Created the following programs and initiatives:

Equity Gallery Curatorial Program

  • Focus on socially engaged projects

  • Curated and/or produced 20 exhibitions between October 2015 and July 2017

  • Exhibitions have explored topics such as the refugee crisis, queer aesthetics, gentrification, humans in the digital age, Black history, selfie culture and socio-political resistance

  • Exhibited over 80 artists, including the first solo exhibitions in NYC for six artists

  • Exhibition-related panel discussions and interdisciplinary performances

  • Collaborations with other non-profit organizations

Artist Workshops

  • Monthly free professional development workshops

  • Topics include artist statements, legal issues, immigration, health insurance, social media, press releases and artist residencies

Relaunch of Membership Program

  • New benefits, including exhibition opportunities, exclusive events, discounts and online community

  • Partnership with Fraemd.com

  • Neighborhood partnership program

Engagement

  • New integrated website and social media presence

  • Open call for exhibition proposals

  • “Our Community,” interview series featuring members with diverse backgrounds

  • #MemberMondays, social media campaign featuring members’ work

  • Social media campaigns featuring the Artists Equity archive and the organization’s founding members

  • Online resources, including exhibition opportunities and factsheets on legal issues, legislative issues and professional development

  • Online store