Alexis Frasz

Co-Director

Alexis is a researcher, writer, strategist, program designer, and advisor to partners in the cultural sector, philanthropy, and the environmental sectors working toward a more just and regenerative future. She initiated and leads Helicon’s work at the intersection of arts, culture and the environment which includes work for Grist.org, the Redford Center and the U.S. Water Alliance. She works to build greater connections and solidarity between artists and cultural workers and larger movements working for racial, ecological, and economic justice.

Alexis also teaches on creative leadership for artists and non-artists, and has served as faculty and program designer for the cultural leadership program at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and Julie’s Bicycle’s Creative Climate Leadership program. She has designed  Her research, with Holly Sidford, on socially-engaged artistic practice has informed artist training curriculums and philanthropic programs worldwide. She is actively engaged in Helicon’s ongoing work to expose and address inequities in cultural philanthropy through research and designing initiatives that redistribute resources more equitably.

Alexis graduated Summa cum Laude from Princeton University with a degree in Cultural Anthropology and has pursued Master’s level study in Chinese Medicine.  Her perspective on transformation draws on her creative practices and diverse background in anthropology, Chinese Medicine, permaculture, and Buddhism. She is an advisor of the Public Bank East Bay, the Headlands Center for the Arts, and The Artist’s Literacies Institute. She lives in Oakland, where she spends as much time as possible outside in her garden or in the hills.