Antonio Viva

Antonio Viva (he/they) is an educator, researcher, artist, leader and executive coach. Prior to joining Artisans Asylum, he served as the Head of School at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, one of the top independent arts high schools in the country. During his 12 year tenure, he transformed programs and expanded artistic facilities including the creation of a Writing, Film and Media Arts department, the design, funding and construction of the Delbridge Family Center for the Arts and most recently The Boston Ballet School Professional Division at Walnut Hill, the nation’s premiere all-inclusive professional ballet academy. Prior to leading Walnut Hill, Antonio was the Associate Head of School and Chief Information Officer at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA. His accomplishments included the implementation of early robotics programming, the launch of a 1 to 1 laptop initiative and community partnerships with the Higgins Armory, Worcester Art Museum and Oak Hill CDC and establishing the John Hope Fellowship which provides an opportunity for the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff members of color.

A lifelong diversity practitioner, his commitment to the work of diversity, inclusion and justice date back to his early days as a public school arts educator and most recently included groundbreaking anti-racism work and building a culture of restoration in predominantly white institutions. As a researcher for the United States Department of Education, Antonio worked to improve the learning environment of students in underserved communities in New York City, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. With a background in theater, photography, writing and design, his creative pursuits include storytelling and photography exploring the concept of liminal spaces. With an insatiable curiosity for exploring the creative process his artistic work as a director and writer is focused on creating and making work that inspires the mind’s eye. He earned his undergraduate degree in English and Theater and graduate degree in Education from Union College in Schenectady, NY and has served on the boards of the Association of Independent Schools in New England and The Association of Boarding Schools and The Glasgow Group. He currently serves on the board of Leadership + Design and speaks and presents nationally.

Antonio can answer questions related to:

• General Inquiries

• Community Partnerships and Outreach

• Grants and Fundraising

• Organizational Management

• Donations (Monetary)