Linda Steele
Linda Steele is the Founder and CEO of ArtUp, an idea Incubator and business accelerator that breaks down barriers to the creative economy; nurtures ideas that drive social change; and launches artists into creative entrepreneurship. ArtUp initially began as a grantmaking initiative under Steele’s leadership as Chief Engagement Officer at ArtsMemphis. Additional accomplishments during her tenure include creating an arts-based community development grant portfolio, the Engagement Transforms Communities (ETC ) grants, and launching a Community Engagement Fellowship to build the capacity of Memphis artists and neighborhood leaders in the field. She is the host of The Artivism Podcast on The OAM Network and the visionary behind the transformation of an abandoned storefront and former liquor store into an exhibition and community flex arts space called OMG in Orange Mound, Memphis, TN. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Linda is a graduate of both Amherst College and Harvard University.