Meet Sam Arrow | [nueBOX] Financial Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Arrow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
[nueBOX] is a non-profit organization that supports artists in creating work that is memorable, honest, and explorative. Our programming makes the artistic process transparent, collaborative, and accessible to artists and the artist community. [nueBOX] was founded to create resources and community to fill a gap in Phoenix’s artistic community and [nueBOX]’s success is built upon providing a genuine need. The founders knew that Phoenix is one of the largest cities in the United States but is lacking in support for artists, particularly performance artists, so they created a home where artists could find rehearsal space and artistic support.

As an organization, we prioritize meeting the needs of the community, and we do so through surveys, interviews and conversation. We do our best to meet the community’s needs by using this information to evolve our programming in the short term and long term. Everyone involved in [nueBOX] is an active member of the artistic community, teaching classes, creating art and supporting each other. To do this, we have created programs like the SEED Residency, StudioLAB Residency, Black Artist Cohort, Revolve Performance Series, workshops and our upcoming dance performance nueWORK, which will be on April 21, 2023 at Phoenix Center for the Arts..

Being in the heart of the community and giving our time, energy and love to help it grow, is what makes [nueBOX] successful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The artists in residence at [nueBOX] are intentionally chosen from all different backgrounds, education and experiences, ranging from contemporary dance to performance art. Every Work-in-Progress Showing and performance is different because [nueBOX] is committed to supporting as many artists as we can. We are so proud to see how this residency opportunity opens artists to hone their artistry and meet new audiences. This list of previous resident artists shows that [nueBOX] plays an integral role in incubating amazing local artists – such as Ruby Moralez, Lawrence Fung, Jenny Gerena, Felipa Lerma, Angelina Ramirez and Shauna Meredith.

We recently hosted Liliana Gomez for our StudioLAB residency, a 6 month program where she received rehearsal space, artistic support, stipend and three Work-in-Progress showings. Her work “Caminando ” is her version of an ode to the family and parents who migrated with her 6 siblings in the past. With her amazing cast members, she was able to carefully mix contemporary movement with classical Mexican Romantica songs. Catch her finished product at Breaking Ground Contemporary Dance Festival in January 2023.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Phoenix has some amazing small businesses and we could go on about all the events, shopping and restaurants. Here are some of our favorites: for shopping, start at Phoenix General in Uptown and check out Leonor Aispuro’s sustainable fashion line, in addition to other local artists, then head over to Local Nomad for an eclectic mix of clothing for adults and infants and personal items. You could break for lunch at Chula Seafood (we love their specials but also the clam chowder with a glass of wine).

On another day, grab a coffee or tea (they have small bites too!) at Cha Cha’s Tea Lounge downtown and then head over to [nueBOX] for a Work-in-progress Showing for one of our Artists in Residence or Salsa Cardio Class with Zarina. You could end a night with dinner in the Melrose District at Belly Kitchen & Bar or Valentine Phoenix and if you like to stay out late, a nightcap at Bar 1912, in the back of Valentine.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
[nueBOX] would love to give a Shoutout to our founders, Julie Akerly and Matthew Mosher, the current Permanent Artists in Residence with [nueBOX] and our Board Members! All of these people are crucial to [nueBOX]’s existence and continued contribution to the Phoenix community.

Julie and Matthew wanted to see the love and support for the arts in Phoenix that they have experienced in other major cities, so [nueBOX] was created as a path for artists to live in Phoenix and continue practicing deeply as artists. Neither of them knew anything about running an organization. They only had $5000 to get this idea started and now it has been going for 8 years.

Our current directors and Permanent Artists in Residence are Sam Arrow, Halley Willcox, Jisun Myung, and Zarina Mendoza, who meet weekly to manage the budget, rehearsal space, upcoming performances, and artistic residencies. The directors collaborate directly with our Board Members, who are amazing artists in their own right, Amanda Mollindo, Caroline Hudson-Naef and Diandra Adamczyk

Lastly we would love to give a Shoutout to Phoenix for all the support! Keep it coming! We have exciting events and opportunities coming in 2023 and we would love to support more Phoenix artists. A big thank you to the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, Arizona Commission on the Arts and private donors who have given us so much love.

Website: www.nuebox.org

Instagram: @nueboxphx

Image Credits
Various photographers including Lawrence Fung and Monica Robles