The Florida International University College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA), through its Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator (RA+DI), is expanding its network of creative leaders with a new strategic partnership centered on innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship.
RA+DI is developing a relationship with arts administrator, communications strategist and Commissioner co-founder Dejha Carrington, whose pioneering work in collective art patronage and creative community building aligns with the incubator’s mission of empowering artists and designers to build sustainable careers.
Although Commissioner and RA+DI were established independently, meaningful connections have already emerged through the work of RA+DI alumni, demonstrating the strength of CARTA’s growing creative ecosystem.
One of those collaborations involved RA+DI alumna Stephanie Valdes, founder of Studio Nena, who was commissioned to laser-cut components for Commissioner’s Edouard Duval-Carrié ARTIST 004, Season 7 artifacts. The project showcased the advanced fabrication skills developed through RA+DI while connecting alumni with nationally recognized creative initiatives.
RA+DI alumnus Jerónimo Mura also strengthened the relationship by featuring Carrington in his Entrepreneurial Spotlight series, where she discussed how trust-based, community-centered models can transform art collecting and support emerging artists. The interview later became part of Commissioner’s successful funding application to the Knight Foundation, highlighting the broader impact of RA+DI’s entrepreneurial network.
Carrington has spent her career creating opportunities for artists through innovative leadership and strategic communications. Originally from Montreal and based in Miami Beach for more than 15 years, she served as Vice President of Strategic Communications at YoungArts from 2015 to 2022 before focusing on expanding Commissioner.
Founded in 2017, Commissioner is a crowdsourced art membership program that helps communities commission and collect contemporary artwork through collective economic models inspired by African, Caribbean and women-led savings traditions. Since its launch, the organization has expanded to cities including Miami, Detroit, New York, Montreal, Mexico City and New Orleans, cultivating a new generation of art patrons while increasing access to contemporary artists.
Beyond Commissioner, Carrington serves as a professional advisory member of Miami-Dade Art in Public Places and the New York University Center for Black Visual Culture’s Black Rest Project, teaches at New World School of the Arts at Miami Dade College, and serves on the board of the national MAP Fund. Her career has consistently focused on creating sustainable systems that support artists and strengthen creative communities.
As RA+DI continues to foster entrepreneurship across art and design disciplines, the partnership represents an exciting opportunity to bring Carrington’s expertise directly to FIU students, fellows and alumni. The incubator is currently exploring opportunities for Carrington to serve as RA+DI’s second-year mentor, providing guidance to fellows on creative business development, collaborative leadership and innovative approaches to building lasting careers in the arts.
The partnership reflects CARTA’s continued investment in connecting emerging creatives with industry leaders whose experience extends beyond artistic practice into entrepreneurship, leadership and community impact. By strengthening relationships with innovators like Carrington, RA+DI continues to position its fellows within a broader network of artists, cultural organizations and creative entrepreneurs shaping the future of South Florida’s creative economy.
As the relationship evolves, RA+DI and Commissioner share a common vision: empowering artists not only to create meaningful work, but also to build sustainable careers through collaboration, innovation and community-driven support.
