Staffing Activist Arts Organizations

An Ethnographic Study of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center in San Antonio, Texas

This brief looks at unique challenges activist organizations face.

September 2026

2 Min Read

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Table of Contents

Overview

Ideas In Practice

Publisher(s)
The Wallace Foundation

Page Count 2 pages

DOI Link
https://doi.org/10.59656/A-AO8981.001

Summary

How we did this

The researcher reviewed archival materials, conducted participant observations, conducted an online survey, and interviewed community members and organization staff.

The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center was established in San Antonio in 1987 to provide a space for social movements such as civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and antiwar efforts, to converge and bolster one another. It also aimed to provide a platform for the voices in these moments.

Organizations focused on this type of work often face external conflict, but internal challenges may also arise. Through the work of researcher siri gurudev hernández, Ph.D., Esperanza found that certain types of internal challenges can lead to staff burnout, tension, and, ultimately, turnover. However, hernández’s study also notes that there are positive steps that can be taken to alleviate tensions and foster a more stable work environment.

The study illuminates some unique structural challenges facing arts organizations focused on community-based advocacy and points to steps that funders supporting these types of organizations can take to better support their work.

Watch this web series created by hernández about their work with Esperanza.

This brief is based on a case study written by siri gurudev hernández, Ph. D.

Despite inherent structural challenges that community-based activist organizations face, there are positive steps to support a more productive and stable work environment.