Aliana de la Guardia, the founder and director of Haverhill's Guerilla Opera, is among 12 creative leaders selected for the Essex County Community Foundation's Creative County ChangeMakers program. Starting March 28, de la Guardia and her cohort will engage in extensive learning, peer networking, and leadership training over the next eight months. This initiative aims to build a robust arts and culture ecosystem across Essex County. Each participant will receive $1,000 to develop a project that encourages cultural growth and inclusivity in their respective communities. The program is facilitated by Karen Ristuben of Creative County and Doneeca Thurston of Lynn Museum/LynnArts, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to empowering artists and cultural leaders.

Participants in this year's program include a diverse slate of artists and municipal leaders, such as Kerrie Bates from Ipswich ReCreation & Culture, Donna Keefe from the Salisbury Cultural Council, and John Mayer from the Amesbury Carriage Museum. This cohort will work on projects that replicate last year's success, which included initiatives like a Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month festival and a creative apprenticeship program. These projects not only promote inclusivity but also attract further funding, exemplifying the ChangeMakers' contribution to the community's arts and cultural fabric.