Yaffa Fain

Yaffa Fain is a passionate and dedicated public sector leader with over eight years of experience in municipal work and the nonprofit sector, specializing in cultural development, creativity and community engagement. Currently serving as the Assistant Cultural Development Officer for the City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Office, Ms. Fain has successfully coordinated and managed hundreds of large-scale events, public art activations, creative projects and placemaking efforts in Worcester, the second largest city in New England. Additionally, Ms. Fain staffs the Worcester Cultural Coalition nonprofit advocacy organization of 90+ arts and cultural institutions across Worcester County.

A skilled leader and program manager, Ms. Fain spearheads diverse programming including the Create 508 Youth Creative Entrepreneurship Program, Worcester Poets Laureate Program, Worcester Create the Vote campaign, the City of Worcester Special Event Committee, and numerous festival events that draw thousands of attendees and incorporate dynamic artist, performers, and vendors from across the community.

A graduate of Clark University with a Master of Public Administration, Ms. Fain is deeply committed to fostering inclusive creative communities, robust arts and culture networks, and advancing equity at the heart of every effort. Ms. Fain recently participated in the MassCreative Advocacy & Organizing 2023-2024 Fellowship cohort developing a Worcester Youth Advocacy Strategic Plan and was also named a 2024 Women to Watch by Worcester Magazine. In addition to being a creative changemaker, Ms. Fain enjoys collage, needlework, jewelry assembly, recycled artmaking, and participating in community. She envisions a future which is imaginative, affirming, and creatively optimistic for all folks.