Tiffany Y. Ates

Tiffany Y. Ates is an experienced arts administrator and writer with more than a decade of contribution to GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) spaces. As the Development and Marketing Associate at Step Afrika!, she brings a keen understanding of arts ecosystems and a commitment to building meaningful relationships that strengthen organizational capacity and expand access to cultural expression.

Specializing in art advisory, grant writing, and communications, Tiffany successfully supported small businesses, nonprofits, and scholars to advance both creative vision and financial sustainability. She previously served as the Art Services Manager at Smithsonian Magazine, where she led key publishing initiatives for the art department and elevated the voices and visibility of women artists.

Rooted in her passion for contemporary art and shaped by her travels across the African Diaspora, Tiffany continues to explore the intersections of art, education, and the transformative power of cultural storytelling. Originally from Texas, Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College and completed graduate studies in Literature at American University.