Yvonne Mendez

Yvonne Mendez is an experienced arts administrator, event curator and producer, educator and activist. Yvonne, who holds a Master’s degree in Media Studies from the New School for Social Research (NYC), has curated programs and produced special events that create spaces for diverse interactions and broad learning including interactive conversations, community gatherings, concerts, festivals, master classes, workshops and in-school class visits.

Yvonne has also worked with a variety of non-profits. She served six years as the chair of the Amherst (MA) Cultural Council; and seven years as the Board chair of the HartBeat Ensemble in Hartford, CT. She taught graphic design and media literacy at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, where she helped develop an integrated arts and academic curriculum. She is also a graphic designer and a trained digital storytelling facilitator.

Yvonne’s focus at The Yard draws upon her expertise with community outreach and programming. She has forged many fruitful partnerships and developed meaningful programs across the Island with great success. Under her leadership, over the past year, the Yard has presented programs in every town across the Island and deepened relationships with the various distinct cultural sectors of the Island. Since October 2022 she has served as the Acting Executive Director at The Yard.

Yvonne is an Afro-Latina nerd. She is married and has three super-nerdy adult children, all working in the arts. They are all fixated on anything Star Wars, Star Trek, MARVEL, Harry Potter, Comicon conventions, SYFY, etc. Yvonne is excited to serve the Martha’s Vineyard community and The Yard, and connect more deeply with the theater and dance community.