About
Urpi Collective is a nonprofit that supports artists, educators, and creators from disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and Latin America. “Urpi” means paloma (dove) in Quechua, symbolizing peace, dignity, and solidarity, values that guide our human-rights mission and our commitment to living free from violence and discrimination.
We believe diaspora artists and educators understand the realities of the places they left behind and use art to keep diasporic communities connected to their histories, while artists who remain in their countries use their work to support and uplift their communities. That’s why we develop and support creativity as a practical tool for justice, resilience, and collective change.
The People of Urpi
Urpi is founded by women who believe in the transformative power of creativity.
Our leadership and team bring together women and allies from diverse fields, including educators, cultural workers, writers, community advocates, and creators, who have seen firsthand how art and creativity can heal and open paths to justice. The voices of those seeking social justice inspire us to create spaces to listen, celebrate, and support one another.
We come from diverse backgrounds but share a common vision: to create bridges between the San Francisco Bay Area and Latin America, where many communities face economic, social, and historical challenges.
The people of Urpi are more than administrators; we are partners and co-creators with the communities we serve. Together, we design projects that reflect lived realities, strengthen the work of young artists, and ensure disadvantaged creators have opportunities.
At Urpi Collective, our strength comes from the collective spirit of the people behind it: women leading with care, families sharing their stories, and communities standing in solidarity across borders.
The mission of Urpi Collective is to foster creativity and cultural diversity by promoting cross-cultural solidarity with and for immigrant and diaspora communities through art, education, and civic participation. We place human rights, social justice, and gender equity at the center of everything we do, grounded in belonging and dignity, regardless of language or nationality
Mission
We work alongside communities, especially those with limited resources and those navigating migration, displacement, and systemic barriers, who rely on creativity to claim dignity, be heard, and keep organizing for justice.
We design programs that compensate artists fairly, strengthen livelihoods, and sustain collective struggles so justice can become a lived, shared reality. Through talks, workshops, exhibitions, creative writing labs, and multimedia projects, we connect everyday experiences with broader histories of memory, migration, care, and resistance—honoring the many cultures, identities, and stories that shape our communities.
Our Goals
Support creators with fair opportunities
Advance human rights through creative practice
Expand access to art and education
Strengthen creative economies
Build cross-cultural solidarity