The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Fellowship creates an organizational culture that aligns with our core values of respect, integrity, creativity, excellence, and empowerment.  

 The fellow provides their input for programs and practices to better promote DEI by engaging with the board, reviewing internal and external communication, and participating in staff meetings and Art League events. 

By constructing activities and events that stimulate conversation around diversity in the community, they help to encourage inclusivity.

 Working with the Executive Director, the DEI fellow develops new programs for otherwise under-represented communities. These classes, workshops, and events give everyone an opportunity to participate in what the Art League has to offer. 

Past Recipients
2022: Ian Postley
2021: Ashley Ash’iz Cuffee

Click here for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellowship Application

Collin Byrd will serve as the 2024 Fellow for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

The Art League of Ocean City welcomes Collin Byrd of Salisbury, Maryland as their new Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Byrd is assistant professor of art at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where he teaches graphic illustration and animation. He was formerly professor of animation at the Savannah School of Art and Design, his alma mater, where he received his Master’s Degree. He also works as a cartoonist for Skipperwing Productions. Byrd constantly experiments with the limits of artistic digital creation tools from 3D printing to interactive comic art.

Byrd will work with the Art League staff to construct activities and events that stimulate conversation around diversity in the community and help to encourage inclusivity. “As an African-American artist, I keep my finger on the pulse cultural zeitgeist and social issues,” he said. “As a fellowship artist, my goal is to broaden the perspectives of the greater Ocean City community partially to raise awareness of social issues, partially to introduce the community to alternative forms of artistic creation, and partially to introduce financially available methods of creating readily distributable art.”

The Art League’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellowship creates an organizational culture that aligns with the nonprofit’s core values of respect, integrity, creativity, excellence, and empowerment. Working with the Executive Director, Byrd will develop new programs for otherwise under-represented communities. These classes, workshops, and events give everyone an opportunity to participate in what the Art League has to offer.