A Leadership Moment — and a Community Commitment
San Francisco, CA — Brava Theater proudly announces the appointment of Kim Acebo Arteche as its new Executive Director. An artist, cultural worker, healer, and nonprofit arts leader with more than 18 years of experience, Arteche steps into the role at a pivotal moment for the organization as Brava prepares to celebrate the centennial of the theater building on 24th Street, 40 years of Brava’s programming, and 30 years of stewarding the historic facility.
Leadership transitions can feel uncertain.
But this one feels grounded. Intentional. Rooted.
Kim’s vision isn’t abstract — it’s about activating our building as a living, breathing civic space. It’s about artists who reflect immigrant resilience. It’s about financial strength so creativity doesn’t have to operate from scarcity.
Brava’s mainstage is nearing 100 years. The question isn’t whether we survive.
The question is how boldly we step into the next century.
This is that step.
Arteche brings a deeply rooted commitment to artist empowerment, community placemaking, and healing-centered organizational practice. They began their career in the arts as a professional dancer with Culture Shock, D.C., where they also served as Director of Operations and Executive Producer of the original East Coast Dance Competition and the International Choreographer’s Showcase.
For the past 13 years in the Bay Area, Arteche’s work has centered on building cultural infrastructure and uplifting artists through organizations such as KULARTS in SOMA Pilipinas, co-founding Balay Kreative, and collaborating extensively with Kearny Street Workshop. Their leadership reflects a belief that arts organizations must be responsive to the communities and cultural workers who sustain them.
“I’m honored to join the team at Brava as Executive Director,” said Arteche. “I have large shoes to fill, and I am confident that my experience bringing community-responsive, healing-centered strategies to organizational sustainability will help continue Brava’s transformation so that we can better serve the artists and cultural workers who keep the pulse of our community alive.”
Under Arteche’s direction, Brava was recently awarded a Community Challenge Grant to launch a Community Activation Initiative at 24th and York. The initiative will support four artists-in-residence centering immigrant history and resilience in the Mission District.
Through storytelling, collaborative art-making, and public celebration, the project will transform Brava’s corner into a hub of cultural pride and belonging. The residency series culminates in a public block party on October 17th at 24th and York, inviting neighbors to gather, share stories of migration and resilience, and celebrate community in front of Brava’s historic 100 year old theater.
Block Party Visualization, part of Community Challenge Grant Proposal
As a part of this leadership transition, Brava has set a goal to raise $100,000 by June 30 to sustain its programs, artists and staff. To support this effort, the organization has launched refreshed donor tiers inspired by resilient flowers: Poppy, Magnolia, Lotus, Sampaguita, Cempasúchil, and Bird of Paradise.
Donations at any level include appreciation benefits. Learn more at: brava.org/donor-benefits
As part of this leadership transition, Brava! for Women in the Arts is also announcing a search for an Artistic Director who will work in close collaboration with Arteche and Brava’s staff to advance the organization’s artistic vision. More information about the position to be announced soon.
This appointment comes at a celebratory and strategic moment for Brava as the organization looks ahead to a year filled with commemorative programming, community engagement, and renewed investment in its mission to uplift underrepresented voices through the arts.