The Arts Foundation is excited to announce Tiera Rainey as its new Grants and Program Coordinator.
Tiera has strong personal and professional ties to Southern Arizona. Raised in the area and having worked in Tucson for many years, she has developed meaningful connections with the local community. Her career has focused on advancing equity and community engagement, notably through her work leading the Tucson Bail Fund and coordinating political education programs. These experiences have highlighted both the challenges faced by the community and the resilience that defines Southern Arizona. Tiera deeply appreciates the arts and cultural dimensions that make the region vibrant, seeing them as vital expressions of storytelling, healing, and community building.
As the former Executive Director of the Tucson Bail Fund, Tiera managed Arizona’s only nonprofit community bail fund, creating workshops and educational initiatives for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. Her collaborative partnerships with grassroots organizations and government agencies ensured programs were designed in conjunction with those most affected.
Tiera is particularly inspired by the Arts Foundation’s commitment to promoting artistic expression and equitable access to resources across diverse communities. She values the Foundation’s support for artists, cultural organizations, and Tribal and rural populations, which aligns with her mission of expanding access and ensuring accountability in grantmaking.
“After nearly a decade of community organizing, I am very much looking forward to joining the Arts Foundation and not only contributing to their amazing work but having the opportunity to advocate for and uplift queer BIPOC artists across Tucson and Southern Arizona,” Tiera shared.
Photo by Julius Schlosburg
