Jessica Gaynelle Moss Named Managing Director and Curator of Sibyls Shrine, Advancing Support for Black Artists Locally, Nationwide

Sibyls Shrine Marks 5 Years with Major Announcements and New Initiatives

PITTSBURGH – NOVEMBER 11, 2024 – Jessica Gaynelle Moss, a distinguished arts leader and advocate, has been appointed as Managing Director and Curator of Sibyls Shrine, marking a significant milestone in the organization's mission to support Black artists who m/other across the United States.

Founded by and for Pittsburgh-based artists, Sibyls Shrine maintains strong local roots while strategically expanding its reach. After five years of growth, the organization now serves over 135 members across 18 states and 27 cities, while maintaining a robust 78% membership base within Allegheny County. Under Moss's leadership, the organization has raised more than $400,000 to support its mission of providing unrestricted financial support, skill-sharing workshops, career development and exhibition opportunities for Black artists who m/other.

"Jessica's transformative leadership style and unwavering commitment to supporting Black artists have been instrumental in Sibyls Shrine's success," says interdisciplinary artist and Sibyls Shrine founder Alisha B Wormsley. "Her vision prioritizes artists' needs while fostering a vibrant, supportive ecosystem that transcends geographic boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in Pittsburgh."

The organization's programming takes a tailored approach to supporting artists' individual needs. By leveraging its national network, Sibyls Shrine creates pathways for Pittsburgh-based artists to access prestigious institutions and opportunities beyond the region, supporting their economic mobility and artistic practice. Simultaneously, the organization enriches Pittsburgh's cultural landscape by bringing artists from outside the county to engage with the city's rich history and culture, often inspiring return visits and ongoing relationships with the community.

Moss brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and arts administration, having worked with prestigious institutions including The NAACP, The National Museum of African American History and Culture, The Joan Mitchell Center, Harvey B Gantt Center for African American Art + Culture and The National Trust for Historic Preservation. As the Arts and Culture Fellow at the Pittsburgh Foundation, she helped distribute over $4 million in arts funding to Black artists across the region, including a record-breaking $1.61 million in grants during 2022.

Throughout her career, Moss has demonstrated innovation in creating sustainable support systems for Black artists. She founded The Roll Up CLT artist residency in Charlotte, connecting established Black contemporary artists with local neighbors. In Pittsburgh, she established The Garfield PGH to address housing needs for Black artists in the historic Hill District, while also launching the Aboveground Railroad Scholarship and Grant Program, which provides $10,000 unrestricted grants to Black emerging arts administrators every year. The SEED Money Fund, which Moss developed in partnership with Shiftworks Community + Public Arts in 2022, was launched to support Black Pittsburgh-based artists in breaking into the public art realm, further strengthening the local creative ecosystem

A third-generation Pittsburgh native, Moss holds a bachelors degree from Carnegie Mellon University, a masters degree in Arts Administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and in 2018, she graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Her commitment to community development extends beyond her professional roles, including significant work in real estate development to create spaces for Black artists in Black communities. Recognized as one of the "40 Under 40" by both Pittsburgh Magazine and the Charlotte Business Journal, her dedication towards advancing equity within the arts extends beyond borders. Through her work, Moss consistently challenges traditional funding models, antiquated systems and institutional barriers, creating innovative pathways for Black artists to thrive while remaining rooted in their communities.

About Sibyls Shrine:

Founded in 2019 by Alisha B Wormsley and developed with Jessica Gaynelle Moss, in partnership with Shiftworks Community + Public Arts, Sibyls Shrine is dedicated to uplifting Black artists who m/other by providing opportunities for radical care, rest, and support. Artists in the Sibyls Shrine network are provided with opportunities to rest, unrestricted financial support, career development, skill-sharing, access to arts and cultural institutions, free classes and workshops, exhibition and speaking opportunities, support for self care, childcare and other daily needs. Through a comprehensive resource framework that includes financial support, career development, skill-sharing, and access to arts and cultural institutions, Sibyls Shrine directly addresses this intersectionality and many of the systemic and structural factors that continue to oppress Black artists who m/other.