Stewards VISTA: Arts & Resilience Systems Coordinator Y1

Stewards VISTA:
Arts & Resilience Systems Coordinator Y1

What’s Next Eastern Kentucky, an initiative of the Brushy Fork Leadership Institute, works to strengthen community vitality, economic opportunity, and local leadership across Appalachian Kentucky. The initiative supports locally driven solutions that address economic transition, disaster recovery, and population loss in rural communities. CAReNet, the Community Arts and Resilience Network, connects artists, cultural workers, and community organizations to disaster preparedness, response, and long‑term recovery efforts across Eastern Kentucky.

Communities served by this project face persistent poverty and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. Repeated flooding has disrupted livelihoods and limited economic opportunity. This VISTA project will build the infrastructure needed for a coordinated, sustainable regional network. The VISTA will serve at the intersection of arts, community development, and disaster resilience, all strengthening relationships between grassroots mutual aid networks, regional partners, and statewide agencies.

This project will break the cycle of poverty by strengthening systems that support community‑led recovery, expand access to resources, and position creative workers as contributors to economic resilience. This role is ideal for candidates interested in community development, arts and culture, disaster response, and rural systems change. Members will gain experience in facilitation, partnership building, grant writing, and program design while contributing to a growing regional resilience effort.

Benefits include professional development support (conferences, training, travel), access to regional leadership networks and mentorship in facilitation frameworks, the community engagement process, and program design.

For those relocating, Eastern Kentucky offers a low cost of living, strong community ties, and the opportunity to serve rural Appalachian communities working toward long‑term recovery and resilience.

The VISTA will build internal systems and planning resources that strengthen the Community Arts and Resilience Network implemented by What’s Next Eastern Kentucky. Activities include developing regional asset mapping tools that document artists and partner organizations; creating communication and engagement frameworks that support coordinated network development; organizing resource guides and funding research materials that inform sustainability planning; and producing documentation systems that capture models and case studies of arts-based disaster response.

The VISTA will also develop tools such as an artist disaster readiness framework and structured network resources for staff use. All systems, tools, and documentation developed by the VISTA will be used by staff and partners to guide planning, strengthen collaboration, and support long‑term resilience beyond the VISTA service term.

• Training
• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
• Childcare assistance if eligible
• Stipend
• Relocation Allowance
• Health Coverage*

• Permits attendance at school during off hours
• Permits working at another job during off hours
• Car recommended

• Education
• Homelessness
• Community and Economic Development
• Environment
• Community Outreach
• Health
• Housing
• Disaster Relief
• Neighborhood Revitalization

• Public Speaking
• Environment
• Business/Entrepreneur
• Community Organization
• Writing/Editing
• General Skills
• Recruitment
• Disaster Services
• Conflict Resolution Fund raising/Grant Writing
• Communications
• Education
• Urban Planning
• Non‑Profit Management