Meldia Yesayan
Director, Oxy Arts

Meldia is the Director of Oxy Arts, the multidisciplinary arts programming initiative at Occidental College. She oversees all aspects of the programming and development of Oxy Arts, including organizing all exhibitions and programs at the Oxy Arts center, facilitating visiting artist residencies such as the Wanlass Artist-in-Residence program, initiating cross-departmental and interdisciplinary collaborations, creating opportunities for student-curated events, and engaging the Occidental community in socially conscious discourse with contemporary arts practices. She is also responsible for developing meaningful and sustained relationships with the Los Angeles area arts communities, including partnerships with local arts agencies, artists and institutions.

Prior to Oxy Arts, Meldia was the Managing Director of Machine Project, a groundbreaking arts collective nationally recognized for its inventive engagement based programming and partnerships with museums and academic institutions across the country. In her role at Machine Project she led the production of more than 300 public projects and worked with a diverse group of artists across every discipline. Prior to Machine Project, she held leadership positions at Sotheby’s auction house and Muse Film and Television. She is often called on by state and local arts agencies and foundations to serve on review and selection committees for grant and artist selections, and has contributed to Art Papers and the Los Angeles Review of Books. She transitioned to a career in the arts after 8 years in the legal sector. Meldia holds a JD and BA from UCLA, and a certificate in Art Appraisal Studies from NYU.