Script: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OtK7cN6A6fDEfu-8D2R3MO0UO3lH7AULohsIqyMapLQ/edit?usp=sharing I recorded/edited it in Descript and then sent it to YouTube. Not everything was transferred over, so on YouTube I updated the description, hashtags, and scheduled it as a premiere for Friday: https://youtu.be/B700-jZj6R4 🗻🏔️

I’m Yohanna Báez, a working artist, writer, and the founder of ArtistTracker. I’m developing Field Notes, a 'build in public'/web series about how working artists sustain their practice. My brand’s why Artists create culture, but often lack the money, time, and support to keep making it. ArtistTracker/Field Notes helps working artists build sustainable careers while protecting their creative voice. My three brand pillars 1. Sustainability: What helps artists keep going? Honest conversations about money, time, paid work, rest, and the practical conditions that sustain an art practice. 2. Access: Who gets opportunities, and why? Exploring how funding, institutions, networks, geography, and visibility shape artistic careers. I help artists understand those systems, assess opportunities, and recognize barriers that ARE NOT personal failures. 3. Agency: How do artists retain control? Examining authorship, technology, data, ownership, and creative independence (this synthetic flood is here!). I explore how artists can use tools and build relationships while keeping control over our work, our voice, and our decisions. Across all three pillars, my central question is: Does this help working artists build a sustainable life with more choice? I am most proud of putting myself out there with this video I recorded on my laptop and edited in CapCut months ago, but FINALLY posted to YouTube about 5 minutes ago (the fear is strong!). I am at the summit of cringe mountain, open to your feedback:

My name is iyla a. stebbins (pronounced like "eye-luh"; I also use they/she pronouns). I'm a director, producer, actor, and more, and I am absolutely thrilled to be here. I was told the fancy name to use is "multi-hyphenate artist," but no matter what hat I am wearing on a project, my brand's pillars are to entertain people, promote the quality performance art in Detroit and the surrounding Michigan cities (also sometimes beyond since I am from the East Coast), and inspire people to carry the social justice themes of the show "beyond the script" to provoke actionable change in their community. I graduated with my MFA in Theatre Management from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, in May, where I led marketing campaigns for live theatre. In that role, I ran the theatre and dance department's social media account for three years. I had fun creating content about the different shows, and I have grown confident managing a brand for an organization/project/other people, but as soon as I think about opening a website for myself or putting effort into marketing MYSELF as a brand, my brain meets me with debilitating insecurity and anxiety. The perfectionist side of me is useful in my 9-5, but I've found it really stunts my ability to promote my personal creative work. Recently, I completed my first self-produced post-grad project, MACBITCHES by Sophie McIntosh, and received a lot of positive feedback on the production's overall marketing. Below are links to the "trailers" we shot for the play and promoted on my social media. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbjhtpaOGje/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc1KM-Gu-D-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dcbk06pu-3X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==