Lulani
Arquette
She // Her // Hers
[ID: Lulani Arquette, a Native Hawaiian woman wearing an a`ahu `aha, coconut cord wearable piece made by artist Marques Marzan and matching hoop earrings over a black dress, smiles warmly at the camera.]
Arts Navigator and Cultural Strategist
Portland, OR
_
Lulani Arquette is in her twelfth year as the President and CEO of the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF), a national nonprofit located in Portland, Oregon. NACF is dedicated to advancing equity and Native knowledge with a focus on arts and cultural expression that helps support American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native artists, organizations, and communities. Arquette brings over twenty five years of professional experience steering organizations to their highest ability and potential.
Through NACF’s work centered on transformative creativity and Native resilience, artists have advanced their careers, increased their national and international visibility, and strengthened relationships with their communities and stakeholders. In 2020, NACF accepted the historic transfer of ownership of a building in Portland, Oregon that will become its new headquarters and the unique Center for Native Arts and Cultures that will provide artist maker space and exhibiting and presenting opportunities.
Arquette, a theatre performing artist herself with a BA in Theatre Arts and MA in Political Science, has performed in stage productions and executive produced film projects. Her past work includes leading the largest multi-service organization for Native Hawaiians in Hawai`i and developing its first for-profit subsidiary. She created the Hawaii Leadership Center, a distinctive multi-sector leadership program for executives and managers that based its curriculum on Native Hawaiian, Asian, and contemporary western approaches. Arquette has served on many boards including Grantmakers In the Arts and is currently a board member of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals.
Photo courtesy of Native Arts and Cultures Foundation.
Lulani hiking in Central Oregon.[ID: Lulani stands on an overlook with a valley of coniferous trees behind her. She is forming a triangle with her hands.]
Lulani at the Abu Dhabi Culture Summit, 2018[ID: Lulani stands gesturing to colorful signage for the event.]