Mission & Public Purpose

Fear Fame Arts Foundation exists to expand access to education, skill development, and professional pathways within the creative industries. The organization serves artists and creative communities by providing structured learning opportunities, industry-informed training, and platforms that support artistic growth and long-term economic sustainability.

The foundation prioritizes individuals and communities that have historically faced barriers to arts education, mentorship, and professional networks. By addressing these disparities, Fear Fame Arts Foundation works to increase participation in the arts and strengthen equity within creative fields.

Through structured programming, mentorship, and community engagement, the organization advances workforce development, supports creative career readiness, and contributes to the cultural and economic vitality of the communities it serves

Organizational Approach

The foundation’s work is grounded in applied learning and community engagement. Programs are designed to bridge the gap between creative interest and professional readiness through structured instruction, mentorship, and direct exposure to current industry practices.

Key principles guiding the organization include:

• Accessibility and inclusion

• Practical skill development

• Community collaboration

• Long-term capacity building

  
  

Programs are developed and delivered by professionals actively working within film, media, and arts education.

Our Programs

Fear Fame Arts Foundation supports arts engagement
through the following core initiatives:

Workshops & Professional Development

Skill-based sessions that emphasize hands-on learning and industry awareness.

Community Arts Programming

Events and outreach initiatives that foster local creative participation.

Arts Education Programs

Instructional workshops and learning opportunities designed for youth, emerging creatives, and underserved populations.

The annual Fear Fame Film Festival provides a public platform for independent creators and encourages community engagement with the arts.

Film Exhibition & Cultural Events

Each program is structured to encourage participation, skill acquisition, and continued involvement in creative practice.

Our Leadership

Fear Fame Arts Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that provides fiduciary oversight, strategic guidance, and compliance support. Board members contribute professional expertise relevant to nonprofit governance, arts administration, and community development.

Heather Fraley

Co-Founder & Director of Creative Programs

Fear Fame Arts Foundation, Inc.

outreach@fearfame.org

Joseph Furnari

Founder & Executive Director

Fear Fame Arts Foundation, Inc.

admin@fearfame.org

Joseph Furnari is an independent filmmaker, educator, and creative entrepreneur with extensive experience in film production, arts education, and community-based programming. His work spans narrative filmmaking, festival operations, and workforce-focused creative instruction, with a strong emphasis on practical skill development and access to professional industry pathways.

As Founder and Executive Director of Fear Fame Arts Foundation, Joe provides organizational leadership, strategic planning, and program oversight. He leads grant development, fiscal planning, external partnerships, and program evaluation, ensuring initiatives align with the foundation’s mission and meet public funding and compliance requirements.

Joe’s practitioner-led approach prioritizes real-world training, mentorship, and sustainable career development for emerging and underserved artists, bridging creative education with professional readiness.

Heather Fraley is a multidisciplinary creative professional with experience spanning acting, writing, filmmaking, and performance-based media. She brings a strong practitioner perspective to creative program development, with particular expertise in storytelling, actor development, and creative direction.

As Director of Creative Programs, Heather leads curriculum design and instructional planning, with an emphasis on performance training, narrative clarity, and collaborative creative process. Her background in acting and directing informs a coaching-centered approach that supports participants in building confidence, craft, and professional readiness.

Heather is widely respected within the independent film community and maintains a broad public reach, which she leverages to expand program visibility, engage diverse audiences, and foster meaningful connections between emerging artists and established creatives.

Program Outcomes & Public Impact

Fear Fame Arts Foundation is committed to achieving measurable outcomes that expand access to arts education, strengthen creative skill development, and support sustained participation in the creative workforce.

Through its educational programs, workshops, and public cultural events, the foundation aims to:

• Increase participation in arts education among youth and emerging creatives

• Develop practical, industry-aligned skills that support professional readiness

• Expand access to mentorship opportunities and peer collaboration

• Provide public platforms for artistic work and creative expression

Partner With
Fear Fame Arts Foundation

Support practitioner-led arts education, workforce development, and community-based programming that expands equitable access, strengthens industry-aligned skills, and advances sustainable creative career pathways.